A new policy that began this month makes it easier for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to deny visas and other immigration benefits. USCIS is no longer required to request more evidence that could complete an application or notify the applicant that it intends to deny the application. This policy overturns a 2013 policy that…
DetailsHua has always been an independent spirit. Hua was born in China. Her family immigrated to Australia in search of better opportunities when she was young. She and her family returned to China frequently to visit relatives. Eventually, Hua and her family became citizens of Australia. Hua came to the U.S. on an F-1 student…
DetailsSince late last year when the Trump administration first announced its intention to eliminate the regulation that allows some H-4 visa holders to obtain a work permit, Farha and her husband Rajiv* have been nervous and stressed. Farha and Rajiv came to the U.S. on student visas from their native India. Both of them earned…
DetailsMary Grilli Jacobs has been part of our team almost since the beginning when I started Alcorn Immigration Law in 2015. An expert in business and family immigration law, Mary has helped hundreds of individuals, families, startups, small businesses, and corporations with immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, requests for evidence, employment authorization documents (work permits), and…
DetailsStarting on Oct. 1, the fee for premium processing of eligible employment-based petitions will increase by roughly 15% to $1,410. Premium processing is available for certain employment-based petitions and applications. With this expedited service, USCIS guarantees a decision on a petition or application within 15 calendar days. Without premium processing, a petitioner can wait for…
DetailsInternational students and their employers have reason to breathe a big sigh of relief. Last month, USCIS revised two policy changes that would have dealt severe consequences for international students and those doing practical training and their employers: One policy changed when the clock began ticking on unlawful presence for international students and exchange visitors. The…
DetailsBy Sophie Alcorn and Valerie Dagama Pereira How can visas in the Land Down Under benefit U.S. companies? Australia offers a few visa options, including a pilot program that began last month, aimed at attracting specialized workers, established companies, and startups. U.S. employers could use these options to transfer foreign workers who cannot renew or…
DetailsAleen Bagdasaryan recently celebrated her two-year anniversary as a member of the Alcorn Immigration Law team. Congratulations! As our firm’s senior case manager, Aleen organizes and monitors clients’ cases, completes documentation, and schedules court cases and meetings. She is an invaluable member of the Alcorn team, helping us optimize efficiency for both clients and staff.…
DetailsNine nonprofits from across the country filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) seeking an explanation for the skyrocketing naturalization backlog. The FOIA request asks for information and documents to assess the agency’s costs, budget allocations, policies and practices related to processing N-400 naturalization applications. The group…
DetailsThe Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and the Department of Labor have joined forces to step up scrutiny of employers who sponsor or hire foreign nationals. More than ever, employers must make sure they are and remain in compliance with immigration laws and regulations, from sponsoring employees for visas to maintaining and reviewing records…
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