Is USCIS going to request your Social Media IDs?

Adam Frank, Esquire August 29, 2016

USCIS published a proposed regulation that would allow them to ask for social media ids (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) for certain nonimmigrants seeking entry into the US. It would affect those filing the online application for a visa waiver entry. The “optional” question would be placed in the application so that USCIS could look at people’s social

DOS, H-1B, H-1B1, Immigration, O-1, USCIS, Visas
DOS, H-1B, Immigration, temporary visa, USCIS, Visa Waiver, Visas

USCIS and Workload Transfers: What you Need to Know

Adam Frank, Esquire July 1, 2016

USCIS frequently is juggling around case types between various service centers to try and assure that all case types are adjudicated as quickly as possible. Fairly recently they started transferring EB-1A Extraordinary Ability cases to Nebraska from the Texas Service Center. Even more recent certain H-1Bs were sent from Vermont to California and Nebraska.

Extraordinary Ability, H-1B, Immigration, USCIS, Visas
EA, EB-1, Extraordinary Ability, H-1B, Immigrant Visas, Immigration, NIW, USCIS

Etsy? Ebay? Am I violating my Immigration Status by using these sites?

Adam Frank, Esquire June 30, 2016

We get this, and similar questions, from our clients frequently. This is a very complex issue and every situation is different. However, there are some key considerations you should think about. The key questions are: Are you carrying out the activity for profit? Are you just trying to get rid of excess goods you have

PERM
Adjustment of Status, Green Card, Green Cards, H-1B, Immigration, USCIS

What Type of Questions Can an Employer Ask At A Job Interview?

Adam Frank, Esquire June 20, 2016

For immigrants, it can sometimes be tough looking for a job, as there are employers who are simply not interested in hiring people on temporary visas. For employer, it can be difficult to know what you can and cannot ask about someones immigration status without running afoul of discrimination laws. Recently the Office of

H-1B, Immigration, OPT, USCIS
disciminiation, EAD, employment, H-1B, Immigration, USCIS

USCIS Changing Filing Location for Some H-1Bs

Adam Frank, Esquire June 2, 2016

USCIS just yesterday issued the following press release relating to where to file certain H-1Bs: On July 1, 2016, the Nebraska Service Center (NSC) will begin accepting Form I-129 for H-1B and H-1B1 (Chile/Singapore Free Trade) petitions if the petitioner requests a “Continuation of previously approved employment without change with the same employer” (Box b. on Part

H-1B, H-1B1, Immigration, USCIS
H-1B, Immigration, temporary visa, USCIS

AILA Sues USCIS over H-1B Lottery Data

Adam Frank, Esquire May 31, 2016

The American Immigration Lawyer’s Association (AILA) last week filed a lawsuit against USCIS to release the specifics of how they conduct the lottery on H-1B applications every year. From the AILA press release: Every year, USCIS approves 65,000 cap-subject H-1B visas and an additional 20,000 H-1B visas for candidates with advanced degrees. Every year

H-1B, Immigration, USCIS
H-1B, Immigration, temporary visa, USCIS

2017 H-1B Cap Met. Lottery Completed.

Adam Frank, Esquire April 13, 2016

USCIS just announced that they have completed the random lottery for the H-1B cap. This means that, shortly, they will begin sending out receipt notices for those applications that were selected, and then they will return those applications that were not. Although no timeframe was given, we would assume that the receipts should be sent

H-1B, Immigration, USCIS
H-1B, Immigration, USCIS

Legislative Update: Restrictive H-1B Bill Introduced

Adam Frank, Esquire March 2, 2016

This month has seen the introduction in the Senate (by Senator Cruz (R)) and the House (by Rep. Mo Brooks) of a bill to several limit the H-1B visa. These bills would set a minimum salary of $110,000 for ALL jobs under the H-1B umbrella. In addition, if one employee in the same or

H-1B, Immigration, USCIS, Visas
H-1B, Immigrant Visas, Immigration, USCIS, Visas

Is your H-1B renewal taking forever to get approved? You are not alone.

Adam Frank, Esquire February 5, 2016

While we can point to many examples of USCIS process times lengthening significantly in the past year, perhaps one of the hardest to understand is that for H-1B renewals. In its September 30, 2015 processing time reports, USCIS stated that they were processing H-1B renewals filed as of June 2, 2015 (this was for

H-1B, Immigration, USCIS
Delays, H-1B, USCIS

2015 Legislative Update

Adam Frank, Esquire December 24, 2015

There are two updates regarding current legislation that would affect immigration programs. Please note, these are just bills that were introduced but not yet passed. While the content of the bills is worrisome, to say the least, there is no indication at this point that they will actually get enough votes to pass and become law.

EAD, F-1, H-1B, Immigration, OPT, USCIS
EAD, H-1B, Immigration, USCIS