U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is imposing stricter rules for H-1B visa applications submitted by outsourcing companies for highly-skilled foreign workers. According to a policy memo issued last month, “USCIS recognizes that significant employer violations—such as paying less than the required wage, benching employees (not paying workers the required wage while they wait for projects or work)…
DetailsThis is the first in a continuing series of posts that will describe a case handled by the Alcorn Immigration Law team that shows what we can do for you.* To maintain client confidentiality, the client’s name has been changed, and some details of the case may have been omitted or slightly altered. For two years,…
DetailsThe EB-5 Regional Center Program remains in operation at least through March 23, 2018, when the temporary extension expires. Since 2015, the EB-5 Regional Center Program has been tied to the federal budget. And Congress has reauthorized the program along with the budget on a short-term basis. When Congress and President Trump approved a two-year…
DetailsThe U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the Trump administration’s appeal to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program on March 5. Sidestepping the federal court of appeals, the Trump administration petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn two federal court decisions that ordered the administration to maintain the DACA program by accepting renewal…
DetailsThe spouses of H-1B visa holders face losing their work permits. If you’re one of the nearly 180,000 individuals in this situation or have an employee in this situation, what should you do? The Alcorn Immigration Law team has been fielding this question from both the working spouses of H-1B visa holders, who are given…
DetailsStepped up raids under the Trump administration has prompted uncertainty and fear among all immigrants—both legal and undocumented—as well as employers. Last month, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) served at least 77 Northern California businesses with notices to show hiring documents. Most recently, ICE conducted a five-day operation in Southern California. Officers conducted raids…
DetailsCongress failed to pass immigration legislation this week that would provide Dreamers with protection from deportation or a path to citizenship. None of the four proposals before the Senate this week—including a bipartisan immigration bill and a hard-line measure supported by President Trump—garnered the 60 votes needed to pass. Meanwhile, the House sat on the…
DetailsCompanies seeking H-1B visas for foreign workers with special expertise should start preparing now to submit petitions in annual H-1B visa lottery in April—if they haven’t already. While a few months may seem like plenty of time to prepare an H-1B petition, devising a strong approach, providing compelling evidence, and formulating a backup plan all…
DetailsGreat news for Silicon Valley: Two Republican Senators have reintroduced legislation to bring more well-educated, highly-skilled immigrants to the U.S. to live and work. Alcorn Immigration Law supports immigration for innovation. We recognize that immigrants stay in jobs longer and are a source of human capital worth investing in and nurturing and applaud Senators Orrin…
DetailsThe White House yesterday gave lawmakers a framework for legislation that would give Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) a pathway to citizenship—one that President Trump would support. However, the proposal also calls for ending green cards for all family members except spouses and children under the age of 18. That means naturalized U.S. citizens…
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