Friday, August 31, 2018
Thursday, August 30, 2018
EOS to F, M, J or B Workload Transfer Update
From USCIS:
| July 19, 2018: We transferred some of the following cases from the Vermont Service Center to the California Service Center: Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, for F, M, J or B nonimmigrants For more information, see our Workload Transfer Updates page. |
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
USCIS Extends and Expands Suspension of Premium Processing for H-1B Petitions to Reduce Delays
From USCIS:
USCIS is extending the previously announced temporary suspension of premium processing for cap-subject H-1B petitions and, beginning Sept. 11, 2018, will be expanding this temporary suspension to include certain additional H-1B petitions. We expect these suspensions will last until Feb. 19, 2019, and will notify the public via uscis.gov before resuming premium processing for these petitions.
While H-1B premium processing is suspended, we will reject any Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service filed with an affected Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker. If a petitioner submits one combined check for the Form I-907 and Form I‑129 H-1B fees, both forms will be rejected.
Who Is AffectedThe expanded temporary suspension applies to all H-1B petitions filed at the Vermont and California Service Centers (excluding cap-exempt filings as noted below).The previously announced suspension of premium processing for fiscal year 2019 cap-subject H-1B petitions was originally slated to last until Sept. 10, 2018, but that suspension is being extended through an estimated date of Feb. 19, 2019. We will continue premium processing of Form I-129 H-1B petitions that are not currently suspended if the petitioner properly filed an associated Form I-907 before Sept. 11, 2018. Therefore, we will refund the premium processing fee if:
Premium Processing Remains Available for Certain H-1B PetitionsThe suspension does not apply to:
Requesting Expedited ProcessingWhile premium processing is suspended, petitioners may submit a request to expedite an H-1B petition if they meet the criteria on the Expedite Criteria webpage. The petitioner must demonstrate that they meet at least one of the expedite criteria, and petitioners should be prepared to submit documentary evidence to support their expedite request.We review all expedite requests on a case-by-case basis and requests are granted at the discretion of the office leadership. Why We Are Temporarily Suspending Premium Processing for H-1B PetitionsThis temporary suspension will help us to reduce overall H-1B processing times by allowing us to:
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Monday, August 27, 2018
Saturday, August 25, 2018
Friday, August 24, 2018
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Monday, August 20, 2018
Saturday, August 18, 2018
U.S. Immigration Agency Chief Spoke at Anti-Immigrant ‘Hate Group’ Event
https://www.thedailybeast.com/us-immigration-agency-chief-spoke-at-anti-immigrant-hate-group-event
Friday, August 17, 2018
Clarification of STEM OPT Extension Reporting Responsibilities and Training Obligations
From USCIS:
USCIS is updating the Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students (STEM OPT) page of our website to clarify the reporting responsibilities for participating in the STEM OPT program. Students and employers must report material changes to the Designated School Official (DSO) at the earliest opportunity by submitting a modified Form I-983. Employers must report the STEM OPT student’s termination of employment or departure to the DSO within five business days. As previously indicated on the webpage, students must report certain changes, such as changes to their employer’s name and address, to their DSO within 10 business days. Prompt reporting ensures that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is able to exercise effective oversight of the program.
Additionally, DHS is clarifying that STEM OPT participants may engage in a training experience that takes place at a site other than the employer’s principal place of business as long as all of the training obligations are met, including that the employer has and maintains a bona fide employer-employee relationship with the student. DHS will review on a case-by-case basis whether the student will be a bona fide employee of the employer signing the Training Plan, and verify that the employer that signs the Training Plan is the same entity that employs the student and provides the practical training experience.
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
Immigration Services Available for Those Affected by California Wildfires
From USCIS:
USCIS offers immigration services that may help people affected by unforeseen circumstances, including the California wildfires.
The following services may be available on a discretionary basis upon request:
Note: When making a request, please explain how the wildfires in California are related to the need for the requested relief.
To learn how to request these measures or determine if an office is open, visit our USCIS Office Closings webpage. If your InfoPass appointment was affected by the fires, you can reschedule your appointment online. If you need additional help, visit the USCIS Contact Center webpage for more information.
All Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, requirements remain in place. If you have been affected by the California wildfires and your documents were lost, stolen, or damaged, review the list of Form I-9 acceptable documents and receipts for more information on how to complete the Form I-9. You may also visit I-9 Central for more information.
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