There exists some language in the bill which if ratified would prohibit H1B-dependent employers from outplacing, outsourcing, leasing, or otherwise contracting for services or placement of an H1B worker. Under immigration reform, the term “H1-B Dependent” applies to companies whose workforce is made up of at least 15% H-1B workers.
Significant Movement of EB-2 India Priority Dates.
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) Visa Bulletin for August 2013 contains considerable improvement in the cutoff date in the employment-based, second preference (EB2) category for India. The EB-2 India cutoff date, effective during August 2013, advances to January 1, 2008. As of the July 2013 Visa Bulletin, the EB-2 India cutoff date was fixed at September 1, 2004.
DOMA and Its Effects on U.S. Immigration
United States v. Windsor ruled that DOMA is unconstitutional, allowing many important federal benefits, including immigration benefits. This means that now all married couples will be treated equally and fairly in the administration of U.S. immigration laws.
Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization
This bill has been affected by several recent developments since first being voted out of the Senate judiciary committee. Some of the most important of these developments being the different amendments which could affect Senate bill S.744. The most recent and possibly most influential of these amendments is known as the Corker-Hoeven amendment.
Immigration Modernization Act (S.744) Pros and Cons
The “Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act” or Senate Immigration bill 7.44 would provide for the best and most positive effects for businesses in particular and would facilitate substantial positive reform in the permanent resident (green card) category. On the other hand, S.744 would complicate the process of acquiring temporary workers such as H1-Bs and L-1s.
Senate Immigration Bill
The president, in a letter dated May 20, 2013, raised concerns that USCIS has a culture in which managers pressure their subordinates to rubber stamp applications and this problem will only be exacerbated by the bill.
The 'JOLT' Act
First introduced in the 112th Congress, the JOLT act is a combination of several proposed policies and programs which hope to tackle the visa problems related to foreign travelers and tourists visiting America. The latest version of the JOLT act included some new reforms and an updated version of previous policies.
Employee Referral Program
The PERM recruitment process requires the use of Real World Employee Referral Programs (ERPs). USCIS has just released important news regarding ERPs
2014 H-1B Lottery Rejections
USCIS reached the statutory H-1B cap of 65,000 for fiscal year (FY) 2014 within the first week of the filing period, which ended on April 5, 2013. Currently, it begun returning H-1B petitions that were not selected in the FY14 lottery..
USCIS Releases Revised G-28 Form
On March 28, 2013, in an official communication, USCIS released news that it would be replacing the current G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance of Attorney or Accredited Representative with a new version. It means that USCIS will no longer accept the old G-28 form for new cases. Using the old G28 form on a new case after May 26,2013 will result in a denial of a case due to incorrect filing.
2014 H-1B Cap Case Processing Time
The data entry process for 2014 H-1B cases selected in the lottery is now underway. As stated by USCIS, all premium processing cases are being managed first and their processing is not expected be completed until April 15.
2013 Immigration Reform Postponed
Senate postpones release of the 2013 immigration reform due to the tragic bombings in Boston