December 28, 2017
H-1B CAP SEASON – FISCAL YEAR 2019
On April 1, 2018, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin accepting H-1B petitions subject to the fiscal year (FY) 2019 cap. Employers use the H-1B visa program to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations that require the theoretical or practical application of...
read moreDecember 21, 2017
The H-4 EAD Program Is On the Chopping Block in 2018
In 2015, the Department of Homeland Security published a regulation that allows for certain spouses of H-1B temporary workers to seek an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Those spouses, in dependent H-4 status and with an approved EAD, are authorized to accept employment with any...
read moreDecember 06, 2017
Supreme Court Allows Full Enforcement of Travel Ban During Ongoing Legal Challenges
On Monday, December 4, 2017 the Supreme Court ruled that President Trump’s most recent travel ban order may be fully enforced while legal proceedings continue in lower courts. The current travel ban order suspends entry to the United States by certain nationals of the...
read moreOctober 25, 2017
USCIS Rescinds Deference Policy for Nonimmigrant Extension Petitions
On October 23, 2017 USCIS issued a Policy Memorandum rescinding prior guidance that instructed adjudicators to show deference to previously approved petitions in the context of extension. Under the new policy, USCIS adjudicators are no longer required to show deference to prior nonimmigrant approvals,...
read moreOctober 18, 2017
U.S. District Court in Hawaii Blocks Implementation of Travel Ban for 6 out of 8 Countries
On Tuesday, October 17, 2017, Hawaii District Court Judge Derrick Watson issued a Temporary Restraining Order halting the implementation of President Trump’s most recent travel ban across the country. According to the decision, the U.S. government is prohibited from enforcing and implementing the ban...
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