U.S. Alerts

USCIS Announces Countries Eligible for H-2A and H-2B Visa Programs U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State (DOS), have announced the list of countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs in 2019. For 2019, the

DHS Prioritizes U.S. Advanced Degrees in H-1B Final Rule; Electronic Registration Requirement Postponed The Department of Homeland Security has published a final rule amending regulations governing H-1B cap-subject petitions, including those that may be eligible for the advanced degree exemption. The final rule reverses the order by which U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) selects

   Interview Waiver Guidance Revised for Petitions to Remove Conditions on Residence U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released a policy memorandum revising interview waiver guidance for Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. The guidance applies to all USCIS officers adjudicating Forms I-751, and supersedes previous guidance issued in 2005. The memo

    10 H-1B Tips for Employers Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers (ABIL) attorneys recommend that employers assess their need for H-1B employees and begin working on their H-1B petitions now. Filing season is expected to open April 1, 2019, for fiscal year (FY) 2020 cap-subject H-1B visas. Annual demand typically far outstrips availability, so

The U.S. Continues To ACCELERATE China’s Growth As A Technological Super Power Article written by: Rami D. Fakhoury / Managing Director of Fakhoury Global immigration, USA PC   Recent media reports indicate the U.S. is quickly losing its place as the top destination for global talent. Economically vital areas such as California’s Silicon Valley, the

Rohit Turkhud Recognized Among “Top 25 Immigration Attorneys” List Rohit Turkhud, a Partner at Fakhoury Global Immigration USA PC, (FGI) has been recognized in  EB5 Investors Magazine‘s “Top 25 Immigration Attorneys List.” This honor is given to distinguished immigration attorneys who file investor petitions primarily. Rohit joined FGI in 2012 and serves as a Partner

EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Center Program. The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Center Program expired at the end of the day on December 21, 2018, due to a lapse in congressional authorization to continue the program. All regional center applications and individual petitions are affected. USCIS will not accept new Forms I-924, Application for Regional Center Designation

Federal Government Shutdown: Agency-by-Agency Update The partial federal government shutdown that began at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, December 22, 2018, continues unabated. Several departments have issued related announcements about the specifics of which immigration services have closed and which remain open, summarized below in alphabetical order: Department of Labor. DOL’s announcement refers people to its extensive contingency plan.

January Visa Bulletin Shows Significant Progress in EB-1, EB-3, and Other Workers India The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for January 2019 shows significant progress in the EB-1 category for all chargeability areas, as well as in the EB-3 and Other Workers India categories. Other priority dates remain Current or backlogged with little to no

WRITTEN BY: Matt Morse / Chief Legal Officer / Fakhoury Global Immigration   When filing an H-1B petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a certified Form ETA 9035 (Labor Condition Application) (LCA) issued by the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) is required to be included with the