Immigration Public date: 09.05.2017 23:09:20

Publisher: USCIS

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18 Apr 2017

USCIS Reaches FY 2018 H-1B Cap

WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has reached the congressionally mandated 65,000 visa H-1B cap for fiscal year 2018. USCIS has also received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to meet the 20,000 visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, also known as the masters cap.
WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has reached the congressionally mandated 65,000 visa H-1B cap for...
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11 Mar 2017

Halt to Premium Processing of H-1B Visa Petitions Hurts Workers, Business and USCIS

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced it will halt premium processing of H-1B visa petitions on April 3, for up to six months. Through the H-1B visa category, employers can petition for highly educated professionals to work in specialty occupations that require at least a bachelors degree or the equivalent. This decision will not only disrupt the plans of thousands of foreign nationals who are recent graduates of U.S. universities, workers and businesses, but also could have a significant impact on the fee-funded agencys revenue.
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced it will halt premium processing of H-1B visa...
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26 May 2016

Lawsuit Against DHS and USCIS Seeks Transparency in H-1B Lottery Process

In order to pry open that box and let the American public and those most directly affected see how the lottery system works from start to finish, and to learn whether the system is operating fairly and all the available numbers are being used, the American Immigration Council and the American Immigration Lawyers Association have teamed up on a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and USCIS, seeking information about the government s administration of the H-1B lottery.
In order to pry open that box and let the American public and those most directly affected see how the lottery system...
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10 Apr 2016

H-1B Visa Cap Reached in Five Days for Fourth Consecutive Year

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on April 7 that the H-1B cap for fiscal year 2017 was reached, meaning that in five business days, U.S. employers filed more petitions for an H-1B visa to hire a skilled foreign worker than the entire year s allocation of visas available under current law. This means that USCIS will conduct a lottery to determine which employers will get the visas they need.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on April 7 that the H-1B cap for fiscal year 2017 was...
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21 Jun 2015

U.S. Investigates Outsourcing at Utility for its H-1Bs Employees

The U.S. government is investigating two Indian outsourcing firms and a California power company over whether they violated labor and immigration laws by replacing American workers with foreigners on temporary work visas. The Labor Department said it is trying to ensure the Indian companies and Southern California Edison complied with the terms of the nation s skilled-worker-visa system. Controversy has exploded in recent months over whether these foreign workers, who typically have visas known as H-1Bs, displace or complement U.S. workers.
The U.S. government is investigating two Indian outsourcing firms and a California power company over whether they...
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Publisher: USA Today

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7 May 2014

Obama to ease rules for foreign high-skilled workers

The Obama administration wants to let nearly 100,000 spouses of foreigners working in high-tech fields to work here as well in a move critics say is harmful to nearly 10 million jobless Americans. The administration also hopes to ease the process for foreign professors and researchers who are trying to extend their stays in America.
The Obama administration wants to let nearly 100,000 spouses of foreigners working in high-tech fields to work here as...

Publisher: SFGate

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27 Jul 2013

Silicon Valley steps up role in immigration debate – YEA!!

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg - one of the world's richest tech innovators - will break new ground next month by speaking publicly for the first time on a political issue when he delivers an address on immigration reform in San Francisco at the West Coast premiere of a film about undocumented immigrants.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg - one of the world's richest tech innovators - will break new ground next month by speaking...
4 Jun 2013

Anti-immigrant advocates have it wrong on the labor market

The recent buzz that there really isn t a shortage of science, technology, engineering and math (known collectively as STEM) workers is belied by the experience of hundreds of tech companies that are willing to expend additional money in finding and relocating skilled workers from overseas. There, too, research suggests the anti-immigrant forces are peddling snake oil.
The recent buzz that there really isn t a shortage of science, technology, engineering and math (known collectively as...

Publisher: Newsmax

Author:

27 May 2013

High-Tech Industry Big Winner in Senate Immigration Bill

High-tech companies looking to bring more skilled workers to the U.S. pushed Monday for more concessions in an immigration bill pending in the Senate.--Many high tech companies are concerned about the number of restrictions designed to ensure U.S. workers get a first shot at jobs and also the calculation for the H-1B Cap
High-tech companies looking to bring more skilled workers to the U.S. pushed Monday for more concessions in an...

Hangout Supporting the March for Innovation- Immigration Reform

I recently participated in a Consumer Electronics Association sponsored Hangout Supporting the March for Innovation. Here is the video from the discussion with various immigration reform proponents from around the country:
I recently participated in a Consumer Electronics Association sponsored Hangout Supporting the March for Innovation....
23 May 2013

Schumer and Hatch strike breakthrough deal on H-1B visas

The broad bill requires employers filing visa petitions to first offer a job to an "equally qualified" U.S. worker. Hatch s revised amendment number 12 would impose this requirement only on "H-1B-dependent" companies but clarifies the definition of such companies. The underlying bill also bars companies from displacing a U.S. worker within 90 days of filing a visa petition for an H-1B worker. Hatch s amendment number 13 would shield non-H-1B-dependent companies by allowing them to only stipulate that they do not have the intent to displace U.S. workers. The Schumer-Hatch deal accepts the original intent standard for non-H-1B companies but only for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) positions. For all other professions, there would remain a strict prohibition against displacing workers within 90 days of visa petitions.
The broad bill requires employers filing visa petitions to first offer a job to an "equally qualified" U.S. worker....

Publisher: LA Times

Author:

22 May 2013

Hatch was the Republican to win over on immigration

The bill would have nearly doubled the number of those visas available each year, to 110,000. The agreement with Hatch allows companies to more quickly reach the eventual cap of 180,000, so long as the unemployment rate in those professions does not top 4.5%. New requirements that companies seek American workers or not displace those on the job would also be eased--This was absolutely a victory for the High Tech industry.
The bill would have nearly doubled the number of those visas available each year, to 110,000. The agreement with Hatch...
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21 May 2013

Hatch negotiates to expand H-1B visas as part of Senate immigration bill –That’s a good move!

Hatch s amendments include a provision that would eliminate a requirement that tech companies offer jobs first to U.S. citizens, a condition that industry leaders said places an unnecessary burden on them. But the AFL-CIO has opposed Hatch s proposals.
Hatch s amendments include a provision that would eliminate a requirement that tech companies offer jobs first to U.S....

Publisher: NYTimes

Author:

21 May 2013

Tech Industry Pushes to Amend Immigration Bill

The industry achieved its main goals in the draft Senate bill: an easing of the green card process and an expansion of the number of skilled guest worker visas. That draft, though, includes language that it considers excessive regulatory oversight of when a company can hire a temporary foreign worker and lay off an existing American worker--The problem with pushing for more amendments is that it may endanger the entire bill, which would affect millions of people.
The industry achieved its main goals in the draft Senate bill: an easing of the green card process and an expansion of...

Possible H-1B Filing Mechanics Under The Gang of Eight’s New Immigration Reform Bill (S. 744)

S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, will definitely change the way Employers file H-1B Petitions on behalf of prospective employees. What would an H-1B filing look like if such a law passes?
S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, will definitely change the way...

H-2B Visa Cap Count Update as of April 26, 2013

As of March 31, 2013, USCIS has receipted filings on behalf of 44,263 beneficiaries toward the 33,000 H-2B cap amount for First Half of FY-2013. This count includes 44,089 approved and 174 pending petitions. As of April 26, 2013, tor the Second Half of the FY 2013 Fiscal Year, USCIS has receipted filings on behalf of 21,769 beneficiaries toward the 33,000 H-2B cap amount. This count includes 14,891 approved and 6,878 pending petitions.
As of March 31, 2013, USCIS has receipted filings on behalf of 44,263 beneficiaries toward the 33,000 H-2B cap amount...
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16 May 2013

Judiciary Committee Smacks Down Jeff Sessions Amendment To Limit Immigration

Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee abandoned Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) on Tuesday in his effort to limit the number of immigrants who could come to the United States, and helped Democrats to kill the amendment in a 1-17 vote--I hate to see what will happen with immigration reform in the GOP controlled House.
Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee abandoned Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) on Tuesday in his effort to limit...
16 May 2013

Senators protect fragile compromise on H-1B visas–Even the Gang of 8s version is not enough…

Raising the H-1B Cap is seems to be one of the more controversial aspects in these negotiations. Here is the crux of the issue: The discussions are part of an ongoing tug-of-war between technology firms that say the country cannot supply enough skilled workers, whose demands have been championed largely by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), and labor groups who say those firms are simply trying to avoid hiring more Americans.
Raising the H-1B Cap is seems to be one of the more controversial aspects in these negotiations. Here is the crux of the...

Publisher: NYTimes

Author:

13 Apr 2013

Tech Firms Push for Immigration Reform

Silicon Valley is battling in Washington to make the immigration process easier for thousands of people like Mr. Sankhla, many of them Indian engineers, while also pushing to hire many more guest workers from abroad.
Silicon Valley is battling in Washington to make the immigration process easier for thousands of people like Mr....

H-1B Cap Lottery: What are the odds of being selected?

If you are a normal H-1B Cap Applicant, you therefore have a 59.9% chance of being selected in this year s FY-2014 H-1B Lottery. If you and your employer are in the unlucky 40.1% who do not receive a Cap Number, absent immigration reform, you will have to wait until April 1, 2014 to reapply for the H-1B visa.
If you are a normal H-1B Cap Applicant, you therefore have a 59.9% chance of being selected in this year s FY-2014 H-1B...

Publisher: USCIS

Author:

8 Apr 2013

Latest USCIS News Release on Reaching the FY 2014 H-1B Cap

For the first time since 2008, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reached the statutory H-1B cap of 65,000 for fiscal year (FY) 2014 within the first week of the filing period. USCIS received approximately 124,000 H-1B petitions during the filing period, including petitions filed for the advanced degree exemption. On April 7, 2013, USCIS used a computer-generated random selection process (commonly known as a "lottery") to select a sufficient number of petitions needed to meet the caps of 65,000 for the general category and 20,000 under the advanced degree exemption limit. For cap-subject petitions not randomly selected, USCIS will reject and return the petition with filing fees, unless it is found to be a duplicate filing--this visa category needs serious reform!
For the first time since 2008, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reached the statutory H-1B cap of...
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Publisher: USCIS

Author:

5 Apr 2013

USCIS Reaches FY 2014 H-1B Cap–This program needs immigration reform!

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it has received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to reach the statutory cap for fiscal year (FY) 2014. USCIS has also received more than 20,000 H-1B petitions filed on behalf of persons exempt from the cap under the advanced degree exemption. After today, USCIS will not accept H-1B petitions subject to the FY 2014 cap or the advanced degree exemption-- This program needs immigration reform!
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it has received a sufficient number of H-1B...
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H-1B Visas: A Program in Serious Need of Immigration Reform

What is wrong with a system when applicants have to worry about an April 1 filing delivery for a job that does not start until October 1? Thoughts on what has gone wrong with the H-1B Visa Cap process.
What is wrong with a system when applicants have to worry about an April 1 filing delivery for a job that does not start...
23 Mar 2013

Visas for high-skilled workers could double under bipartisan Senate plan

The expansion of the visas, known as H1Bs, is one element of talks among a bipartisan group of eight senators, whose legislation is expected to serve as the basis for a deal between Congress and the White House to retool the immigration system. The number of visas available would approximately double from the current limit of 65,000 per year.
The expansion of the visas, known as H1Bs, is one element of talks among a bipartisan group of eight senators, whose...
15 Dec 2012

Lawsuit Uncovers USCIS’ Double Standards in H-1B Program

The documents reveal that the agency targets small businesses that participate in the H-1B visa program for increased scrutiny and fraud investigations precisely because they are small and emerging. People have suspected this for years. Now, here is the proof!
The documents reveal that the agency targets small businesses that participate in the H-1B visa program for increased...

Publisher: Forbes

Author:

24 Jul 2012

High-Skilled Immigration Restrictions Are Economically Senseless

Congress now seems ready to end such discrimination, but it should focus on that goal, not on more regulation, so America can finally have an immigration law that acknowledges the genius of all, whatever group of mankind they may represent.
Congress now seems ready to end such discrimination, but it should focus on that goal, not on more regulation, so...

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