H-1B Visas for FY 2020: USCIS Announces Filing Date, Updates, & Changes

Along with the filing date for cap-subject fiscal year 2020 H-1B specialty occupation visas, USCIS has announced a number of other important changes and updates to the program.

Ekaterina PowellMarch 25, 2019Employment-Based Visas, H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa, Immigration Law, Employment Immigration Attorney, California, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Form I-907, Form I-129, United States Citizen and Immigration Services, USCIS, Department of Homeland Security, DHSComment

DHS’s Proposed Changes to the H-1B Visa Lottery Process

DHS has proposed rule changes that will significantly impact the H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa program, namely the process petitioners will apply under and the order by which applications will be selected.

Ekaterina PowellDecember 14, 2018H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa, Employers, Employees, Employment-Based Visas, Business Immigration Attorney, Immigration Law, United States Citizen and Immigration Services, USCIS, DHS, Department of Homeland Security, California, San Diego, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Los AngelesComment

DHS Proposes the Removal of the International Entrepreneur Rule

After much foreshadowing, the Department of Homeland Security finally announces its proposed removal of the International Entrepreneur Rule.

Ekaterina PowellMay 31, 2018IER, International Entrepreneur Rule, USCIS, United States Citizen and Immigration Services, DHS, Department of Homeland Security, Business Immigration Attorney, Employment-Based Visas, Entrepreneurs, California, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, San DiegoComment

Change in the Accrual of Unlawful Presence for F, M and J Nonimmigrants

USCIS has issued a new memorandum modifying its policy in determining the accrual of unlawful presence for F nonimmigrant students, J nonimmigrant exchange visitors and M nonimmigrant vocational students.

Ekaterina PowellMay 17, 2018F-1 Student Visa, J Exchange Visitor Visa, M Vocational Student Visa, United States Citizen and Immigration Services, USCIS, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, Business Immigration Attorney, California, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Silicon ValleyComment

Public Charge Rulemaking Draft Expands Grounds for Inadmissibility

Before, only non-cash oriented government programs would be weighed in determining one's likely status as a public charge. A new rule may change that.

Ekaterina PowellFebruary 14, 2018public charge, government programs, government assistance, Adjustment of Status, immigration visas and green cards, Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizen and Immigration Services, USCIS, DHS, Business Immigration Attorney, Inadmissibility, California, Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, San Diego, San FranciscoComment

Implications of the New Department of State 90-Day Rule

The Department of State has updated its Foreign Affairs Manual to provide a new guidance specifying when nonimmigrants may be accused of misrepresentation of intent, with severe consequences. Replacing the now scrapped 30/60 day rule, the new 90-day rule is mainly one of expansion.

Ekaterina PowellDecember 12, 2017Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, Foreign Affairs Manual, USCIS, 90-day rule, 30/60 day rule, Business Immigration Attorney, San Diego, Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, Misrepresentation, Adjustment of Status, Inconsistent ConductComment

Judge Overturns DHS Delay of International Entrepreneur Rule

Much to the joy of the business and technological community at large, the courts have now intervened in the Department of Homeland Security's delay of the International Entrepreneur Rule, a new procedure that will allow numerous foreign entrepreneurs to introduce innovation and economic opportunity to the U.S.

business immigrationEkaterina PowellDecember 5, 2017District Court, Department of Homeland Security, Trump Administration, International Entrepreneur Rule, Business Immigration Attorney, San Diego, Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, startup immigration, parole for entrepreneurs, EB-6Comment

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