The EB-5 Regional Center Program, which was slated to expire last month, has been extended through Dec. 7 as part of the federal spending bill. Since 2015, the EB-5 Regional Center green card has been tied to the federal budget. That means whenever Congress reauthorizes the federal budget, the EB-5 program receives an extension. Many…
DetailsTwo U.S. Senators have sent a letter urging the federal government to allow the H-4 EAD (Employment Authorization Document) program to continue. Senators Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY) sent the letter last month to Kristjen Nielsen, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and L. Francis Cissna, Director of U.S. Citizenship…
DetailsIf you’ve done some amazing things, you have a lot of U.S. immigration options. Options mean choices, and you have several choices to make regarding your path to obtaining a U.S. green card. Our clients often consider applying for either an EB-1A green card for extraordinary ability or an EB-2 green card with a…
DetailsA 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…
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