Greenberg Traurig recently reported on the looming expiration of the H-1B and H-2B annual numerical cap exemption in Guam and CNMI, while urging local employers to consider filing extensions for any employee whose H-1B or H-2B authorization expires before December 31, 2014—the date the expiration takes effect. With pervasive Congressional deadlock on the immigration front and the end of the 113th Congress fast approaching, an extension of the exemption appears unlikely. However, employers in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands may be able to minimize or avoid altogether the detrimental effects of the cap exemption expiration by taking advantage of an alternative employment-based non-immigrant program to satisfy their workforce needs: the CNMI-Only Transitional Worker (CW) Visa.


Continue Reading Employers in CNMI Facing H-Visa Numerical Cap Issues Should Explore the CW Visa Program

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminded employers this week that Guam’s and CNMI’s five-year H-1B and H-2B cap exemptions will end on December 31, 2014. With a sharp increase in U.S. military-related projects in Guam of late, employers in the country are experiencing a shortage of lesser-skilled and highly-skilled workers, from construction workers through to accountants and engineers. Although officials in Guam are lobbying hard for an extension of the exemption, so far all efforts have been in vain as the Congressional deadlock on all immigration-related bills is halting a range of business immigration initiatives, including the renewal of Guam’s exemption. The major concern for those lobbying for an extension of the exemption is that there will be no action on any immigration-related reform until after the November mid-term elections, and there is no guarantee that Congress will act to extend the exemptions during the few days it is in session after the November election.
Continue Reading Guam and CNMI Employers Beware: H-1B and H-2B Exemptions End Dec. 31