While unusual, the government has suspended expedited or premium processing for H-1B cases from time to time. In years past, in response to the filing of Cap cases, the start of the 15-day adjudication clock was delayed. There also have been suspensions in other situations when the USCIS anticipated increased caseloads, such as when EADs
Temporary (Non-immigrant) Work Visas
New Operational Directives Reflect ‘Buy American, Hire American’ Executive Order
Following the “Buy American, Hire American” Executive Order, issued in April, the Attorney General and the Secretaries of State, Labor, and Homeland Security have made operational changes that emphasize targeted investigations and individual official’s judgment in carrying out the purposes of the E.O. The E.O. directs the agencies to “propose new rules and issue …
15,000 Increase in H-2B Visas Comes with Strings Attached
By Jessica Feinstein on
An additional 15,000 H-2B visas will be released in response to industry demand. The USCIS will begin accepting petitions on July 19, 2017, for the fiscal year which ends on September 30, 2017. Petitions will be accepted until the 15,000 visas run out or until September 15, 2017, whichever comes first. This is only…
DHS Releases 15,000 More H-2B Visas for Temporary Seasonal Workers
By Brian Shyr on
DHS announced on July 17, 2017, a one-time increase of 15,000 H-2B visas – still short of the number Congress had authorized. Given visa processing times, it may already be too late for businesses that rely on the summer season.
The summer is half over and well-known vacation areas are in turmoil because companies have …
Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants May Have Longer Waits
President Donald Trump has issued an executive order striking the 80-percent/three-week goal for interviewing nonimmigrant visa applicants following submission of applications.
Since September 11, 2001, the State Department has given priority to security over quick visa adjudications. For many reasons, including heightened security, between 2001 and 2010, the U.S. share of the global tourism market…
India-Based Infosys Plans to Hire Thousands of U.S. Workers for New U.S. Locations
By Anna L. Susarina on
Amid criticism of outsourcing firms, at least one large Indian outsourcing company is planning to hire 10,000 U.S. workers over the next two years. Infosys CEO Vishal Sikka announced the company will open four technology and innovation hubs in the U.S. “focusing on cutting-edge technology areas, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, user experience, emerging digital…
DOL, USCIS Continue Focus on H-1B Visa Abuse
By Sean G. Hanagan on
With his “Buy American, Hire American” Executive Order, President Donald Trump officially announced his intention to reform the H-1B visa program and the DOL and the USCIS are taking steps accordingly.
In April, the DOL announced it would be investigating violations of the H-1B visa program, “cautioning employers who petition for H-1B visas not…
U.S. Considers NAFTA Renegotiation
By Jackson Lewis P.C. on
Those on TN “visas” and the employers who rely on them can breathe a sigh of relief— for now. While President Donald Trump has issued his recent notice to Congress of his intent to begin the process of renegotiating NAFTA, TNs have not as yet emerged as a focus of the discussions on the NAFTA…
Spending Bill Would Fund Government E-Verify, Certain Visa Programs through End of Fiscal Year
Back in December, President Barack Obama signed a stop-gap spending bill to keep the government running through April 28, 2017. Immigration programs that were extended at that time included the Conrad 30 Waiver, the Non-Minister Religious Worker Visa, the EB-5 Regional Center, and E-Verify.
After weeks of tension, uncertainty and an interim agreement, it seems…
Pending: Bipartisan Legislation to Extend the Conrad 30 Program for J-1 Waiver Physicians
By Forrest G. Read IV on
When President Donald Trump issued his “Travel Ban,” there were fears that the physician shortage in the U.S. would be exacerbated. It has been reported that there is currently a deficit of 8,200 primary care physicians that will balloon to 94,700 by 2025 as the population ages. For many years, many foreign physicians from Muslim-majority…