The Labor Condition Application (LCA) Form, ETA 9035, is a required form for non-immigrant visa categories including the H-1B, H-1B1 (Chile/Singapore) and E-3 (Australia). Pursuant to The Department of Labor’s
Continue Reading DOL Implements New LCA Form Effective Nov. 19, 2018
Travel Update: Refugee Admissions to Resume with Trump Executive Order
President Trump signed a new Executive Order (EO) on Tuesday, the same day as the last travel ban’s provision against refugee admissions was due to expire. The EO allows refugees
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New Trump Administration Policy in Support of Buy American, Hire American Toughens Visa Extension Process
For over a decade, filing an extension of nonimmigrant status in visa categories such as the H-1B was a fairly routine process for cases involving the same employer and same
Continue Reading New Trump Administration Policy in Support of Buy American, Hire American Toughens Visa Extension Process
TPS Extension for Somalia
By notice published in the Federal Register on Jan. 17, 2017, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it will extend the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of
Continue Reading TPS Extension for Somalia
Proposed Changes to Form I-9
Federal law requires employers to verify the identity and employment authorization of each person they hire, complete and retain a Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) for each employee, and avoid
Continue Reading Proposed Changes to Form I-9
Adjudication of Employment-Based Adjustment of Status Applications Halted through September
The Department of State has determined that all employment-based (EB) preference categories have been reached for Fiscal Year 2015. What does this mean? Starting today through September 30, 2015, USCIS
Continue Reading Adjudication of Employment-Based Adjustment of Status Applications Halted through September
Act Now: The Department of Labor may experience a shutdown on 10/1/2015
Although Congress continues to discuss the Fiscal Year 2016 budget, if an agreement is not reached or continuing resolution passed, the Department of Labor (DOL) will experience a shut down
Continue Reading Act Now: The Department of Labor may experience a shutdown on 10/1/2015
California Event Design and Production Company Fined $605,000 for Over 800 I-9 Violations
Earlier this month, an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) for OCAHO ordered Hartmann Studios, Inc., an event design and production company based in Richmond, California to pay civil money penalties totaling $605,250 based on 808 I-9 paperwork violations. The vast majority of violations involved the company’s failure to sign section 2 of the I-9 forms. The Conclusion noted, “OCAHO case law has emphasized that penalties should have a deterrent effect on an employer’s behavior and not merely be the cost of doing business.”
Continue Reading California Event Design and Production Company Fined $605,000 for Over 800 I-9 Violations
National Visa Center Provides Updates on Internal Processing
The National Visa Center (NVC), in operation now for 20 years, is the U.S. Department of State agency responsible for pre-processing approved immigrant visas that include immigration based on: family and employment sponsorship, diversity visas and special immigrant visas. This month, the NVC met with the American Immigrant Lawyer’s Association and provided insight into its increased processing times, announced Fiscal Year statistics, and reported expected changes in 2015.
The NVC noted that during this year it started to receive 25,000 immigrant cases per week as opposed to roughly 8,000 cases as a result of USCIS working through its I-130, Immigrant Petition for Alien Relative application backlog. Due to this increase in volume, timing for case creation and document review increased, which is being addressed through staff adjustments. The NVC provided statistics for Fiscal Year 2014 including: it received 709,000 cases from USCIS, shipped 349,000 cases to various Consular Posts worldwide, and received 1.6 million calls. With respect to future changes, the NVC reported that early in 2015 it will start handling telephone inquiries regarding non-immigrant visa cases.Continue Reading National Visa Center Provides Updates on Internal Processing
Chile added to the list of eligible Visa Waiver Program countries
On March 31, 2014 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designated Chile as a country eligible to participate in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) making the total number of designated countries 38. Eligible Chilean passport holders with both an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and an e-passport will be able to visit the United States without nonimmigrant visitor visas starting May 1, 2014. Chileans who are interested in this program, may visit: http://chile.usembassy.gov/vwp.html.Continue Reading Chile added to the list of eligible Visa Waiver Program countries