The Department of Homeland Security (hereafter “DHS” or its agency “USCIS”) proposes significant revisions to the regulations governing the Affidavit of Support (I-864). These proposed revisions published on October 1, 2020, are set to take effect within 30 to 60 days from their publication. What is the Affidavit of Support? The affidavit of support, Form...
Conrad Saam
On October 8, 2020, the Department of Labor (DOL) has issued an interim final rule (IFR) to incorporate changes to the computation of prevailing wage levels. The wage adjustments will affect the processing of H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 temporary work visas, as well as the permanent labor certification program (PERM) applications. The IFR is effective...
Oct82020
On October 1, 2020, Congress passed a new Bill (Emergency Stopgap USCIS Stabilization Act was included in Division D, Title I of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act) increasing USCIS Premium Processing Fees from $1,440.00 to $2,500.00 for most cases. The good news is that the Bill also expands the immigration petitions...
Since the beginning of the Coronavirus Pandemic, President Donald Trump has issued two Proclamations banning entry of a huge range of foreign workers and family immigrants. The proclamations are supposedly in response to unprecedented unemployment levels. More specifically, virtually no employment-based immigrants (H1s, L1s, Js and their families) or family immigrants (except for the spouses...
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) will be joining forces to investigate suspected cases of fraud of the H-1B specialty occupation visa program (H-1B program). The two federal departments have entered into an agreement under which DHS will share data and records on H-1B petitions in the...
Amidst the COVID-19 emergency guidelines and the current Trump administration, staying updated with immigration laws, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) notices, and Presidential Proclamations is crucial for international students. Access comprehensive guidelines to navigate these challenges effectively. If you are an international student, you not only have to focus on your classes but also have...
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is modifying the temporary exemptions for nonimmigrant students taking online classes due to the pandemic for the fall 2020 semester. The modifications include the following: Nonimmigrant F-1 and M-1 students attending schools operating entirely online may not take a full online course load and remain in the United...
By the publication of a new policy memorandum on June 17, 2020 (the “new memo” or the “June 17, 2020 memo”), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has rescinded two policy memos responsible for most of the increase in the denials of H-1B petitions. The June 17, 2020 memo touches different requirements that were previously...