The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has published the first visa bulletin of the government’s new fiscal year (FY2025). The monthly bulletin published by the DOS summarizes the availability of
Continue Reading October 2024 Visa Bulletin Updates: Advancements in Priority Dates and USCIS to Use Date for Filing Chart for Employment-Based ApplicationsLinnea C. Porter
Linnea C. Porter focuses her practice on business immigration matters, including representing domestic and multinational employers before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of State. Linnea represents and advises employers in virtually all areas of business immigration, including nonimmigrant visa categories (B, E, F, H, J, L, O, TN), permanent residence (PERM, Extraordinary Ability/Outstanding Researchers, Multinational Managers and National Interest Waivers), naturalization, and DACA. She has experience counseling a variety of companies from start-ups to multinational organizations in a wide range of industries, including fashion, financial services, IT, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, and alternative energy, on U.S. business immigration, compliance and enforcement actions, and global immigration.
Linnea also assists multinational employers with global mobility matters. Further, Linnea advises employers with I-9 compliance by providing on onsite training, internal audits and reviews, as well as deploying best practices to minimize exposure and liabilities in the event of government investigations.
Biden Administration Announces New Process to Promote the Unity and Stability of Families and Ease the Visa Process for U.S. College Graduates, Including Dreamers
On June 18, 2024, President Biden announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will implement new measures to ensure that U.S. citizens with noncitizen spouses and children can keep…
Continue Reading Biden Administration Announces New Process to Promote the Unity and Stability of Families and Ease the Visa Process for U.S. College Graduates, Including Dreamers2023 Hawaii Wildfire: Form I-9 Guidance and Case Processing Options
Per U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) guidance issued Sept. 5, 2023, all Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification requirements remain in effect for areas affected by the 2023 Hawaii wildfires…
Continue Reading 2023 Hawaii Wildfire: Form I-9 Guidance and Case Processing OptionsForm I-9: Sunsetting of COVID-19 Temporary Flexibilities and the Use of Authorized Representatives
Employers must act swiftly to complete in-person physical inspection of identity and employment verification documents for those remotely reviewed during the flexibility period. …
Continue Reading Form I-9: Sunsetting of COVID-19 Temporary Flexibilities and the Use of Authorized Representatives
International Entrepreneur Parole Program: USCIS Issues Policy Guidance
On March 10, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) issued an announcement with comprehensive guidance on parole for international entrepreneurs. This program provides an opportunity for some foreign nationals who…
Continue Reading International Entrepreneur Parole Program: USCIS Issues Policy GuidanceCertain Ukrainian and Afghan Parolees Employment Authorized Incident to Parole
Effective Nov. 21, 2022, USCIS announced that certain Afghan and Ukrainian beneficiaries paroled into the United States are employment authorized incident to parole. These beneficiaries do not need USCIS approval…
Continue Reading Certain Ukrainian and Afghan Parolees Employment Authorized Incident to ParoleDecember 2022 Visa Bulletin – Worldwide Cut-Offs for EB-2 Category
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has published the December 2022 bulletin which reflects an increased demand across multiple categories. As warned in last month’s bulletin, the December bulletin implements…
Continue Reading December 2022 Visa Bulletin – Worldwide Cut-Offs for EB-2 CategorySecretary of Homeland Security Designates Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 Months
On March 3, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the designation of Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for an initial period of 18 months.
A country may…
Continue Reading Secretary of Homeland Security Designates Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 Months
Supreme Court of the United States Upholds DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)
In a 5-4 decision written by Chief Justice John Roberts on Department of Homeland Security et al vs. Regents of the University of California, the Supreme Court held that…
Continue Reading Supreme Court of the United States Upholds DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)
July 2020 Visa Bulletin Shows Sizeable Advancement for EB-1 India
The Department of State (DOS) July 2020 Visa Bulletin shows significant advancements for EB-1 India and slight movement in the majority of employment-based categories.
In the EB-1 category, all countries…
Continue Reading July 2020 Visa Bulletin Shows Sizeable Advancement for EB-1 India