On May 31, 2018 the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, has decided to authorize the issuance of up to an additional 15,000 H-2B through the end of Fiscal Year (FY) 2018. This numerical limitation increase is based on a time-limited statutory authority and does not affect the H–2B program in future fiscal years. However, the benefits of this cap increase is directed to businesses that need workers to avoid irreparable harm, rather than directing the cap increase to any and all businesses seeking temporary workers. This final rule is effective from May 31, 2018...
WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on May 25, 2018 that Form N-565, Application for Replacement of Naturalization/Citizenship Document, and Form N-336, Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings (Under Section 336 of the INA), can be filed online. Applicants will be able to complete Forms N-565 and N-336 electronically, pay the filing fee online, and submit evidence to USCIS through the online account. USCIS now allows a total of four (4) forms that applicants can file online through their online account including the following: Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, since...
Congress has now approved a bill that would fund the government through September to the tune of $1.3 trillion and provides for massive funding increases for federal immigration authorities. The omnibus funding bill notably includes a provision for underwriting a partial southern border wall but leaves out a fix for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. March 22, 2018
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday, February 26, 2018, denied the Trump administration's request to review a California federal court’s order that temporarily paused the federal government’s move to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. By declining to take up the government's appeal of a district court's DACA ruling the U.S. Supreme Court is allowing the Ninth Circuit to finish its review. The high court did not specify a rationale for its decision to not review.
If you are applying for a U.S. passport and you owe taxes to the IRS you may want to read the following guidance. The following is an excerpt from IRS Notice 2018-01, which was issued in the January 16, 2018 Internal Revenue Bulletin (IRS 2018-03) and includes statutory provisions from the December 2015 FAST Act: When a certified taxpayer applies for a passport, the State Department, in general, will provide the applicant with 90 days to resolve their tax delinquency (such as by making full payment, entering into an installment agreement under section 6159, or IRS acceptance of an offer...
On Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, USCIS posted instructions in the USCIS website regarding the processing of DACA applications in light of a recent federal court order. USCIS has resumed accepting requests to renew a grant of deferred action under DACA. The DACA policy will be operated on the terms in place before it was rescinded on Sept. 5, 2017. Individuals who were previously granted deferred action under DACA may request renewal by filing Form I-821D, Form I-765, and Form I-765 Worksheet, with the appropriate fee or approved fee exemption request, at the USCIS designated filing location, and in accordance with the instructions to the Form I-821D and Form...
On Monday, November 6, 2017, the Department of Homeland Security announced the decision to terminate the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Nicaragua. The effective date of the termination of TPS for Nicaragua will be delayed for 12 months until to January 5, 2019 to allow for an orderly transition. This will provide time for individuals with TPS to seek an alternative lawful immigration status in the United States, if eligible, or, if necessary, arrange for their departure. The TPS designation for Honduras, on the other hand, will be automatically extended for six months from the current January 5, 2018...
The latest iteration of President Donald Trump’s ban on travel to the U.S. by nationals from several predominantly Muslim countries hit another roadblock early Wednesday morning ( OCTOBER 18, 2017) when a Maryland federal judge halted much of its implementation based on the fact that it likely violates the U.S. Constitution.
This week on October 3, 2017 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) resumed premium processing for all H-1B visa extension of stay petitions. Premium processing is now available for all types of H-1B petitions.
On Sept. 5, 2017 President Donald Trump’s administration announced that the DACA program would be phased out. The DACA program is the Obama-era initiative that has provided the children of unauthorized immigrants, many who were brought here illegally, a reprieve from deportation and the right to work. The last extension request of that benefit by a DACA recipient occurred this week on October 5, 2017 as part of the phase out process and USCIS will not entertain any more requests for DACA extensions after this week. The decision to end DACA has challenged Congress to pass a law to allow...
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