Students studying in the United States in F or M visa status must have a foreign residence that they have no intention of abandoning. A new USCIS policy manual update has clarified that being the beneficiary of a PERM application or an immigrant visa petition does not mean the student
Articles Discussing Employing Immigrants.
H-2B Cap Met for Second Half of Fiscal Year 2024
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that as of March 7, 2024, the H-2B cap had been reached for the second half of fiscal year (FY) 2024.
The Scoop About Form I-9s
In this episode, Jen explains why Form I-9s create such consternation for HR folks.
H-1B Lottery Season – A Refresher on Eligibility Requirements and Employer Obligations
Employers Take Note: H1B Registration Update
H1B registration will take place March 6–22, 2024, and there are some noteworthy changes this year. First, starting February 28, employers will be able to create organizational accounts on my.USCIS.gov.
March 2024 Visa Bulletin Again Shows Little Movement
The March 2024 Visa Bulletin has been released by the U.S. Department of State and shows little movement from last month.
Deferred Enforced Departure of Up to 18 Months for Palestinians Announced
President Joe Biden announced Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for up to 18 months for Palestinians currently residing in the United States. The president took this action due to the terrorist attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, the military response, and the humanitarian conditions in the Palestinian territories, particularly Gaza.
Form I-9 Software: Avoiding Unlawful Discrimination When Selecting and Using I-9 and E-Verify Software Systems
A recent employer fact sheet from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provides guidance for avoiding unlawful discrimination and other violations when using private software products to complete Forms I-9 and E-Verify cases.
USCIS Announces Upcoming H-1B Cap Lottery Dates and New Beneficiary-Centric Selection Process
USCIS has officially announced the dates for the fiscal year (FY) 2025 H-1B cap lottery, which will open on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at noon ET and end on Friday, March 22, 2024, at noon ET. This annual lottery is meant to select new H-1B candidates, who will be eligible
2024 Business Immigration Update
Executive Summary: Recent reports from the U.S. Department of State (DOS) make clear that American companies need foreign talent more than ever before, and FordHarrison is here to advise on how to navigate this evolving landscape.
Change is Coming to the H-1B Visa
By: Change is Coming to the H-1B Visa
On February 1, 2024, USCIS issued two regulations that will dramatically change the operation of the H-1B visa program. H-1B visas are available to employers who wish to employ foreign nationals in positions that typically require at least a bachelor’s degree in a
Form I-9 Best Practices
Employers use the form I-9 to verify the identity and legal authorization to work of all paid employees in the United States. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to properly and timely complete the I-9, and significant liability can result from getting it wrong. We address some common form I-9 compliance challenges below.
H-1B Update: New Rule Focuses on Beneficiary-Centric Improvements
USCIS published its Improving the H-1B Registration Selection Process and Program Integrity final rule on Feb. 2, 2024. The new final rule has three basic categories: creating a beneficiary-centric selection process, specifically allowing for start date flexibility, and other enhancements to the integrity of the selection process.
This is the
New, Higher USCIS Filing Fees Take Effect April 1, 2024
Many USCIS filing fees are being adjusted upward beginning on April 1, 2024. That date, of course, is particularly significant. It is the earliest date that Cap H-1Bs can be filed.
The H-1B filing fee, for example, will rise from $460 to $780. The ACWIA Fee (to fund the training
USCIS Announces FY 2025 H-1B Registration Period and New Beneficiary-Centric System
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the registration period for fiscal year (FY) 2025 will open on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at noon ET and run until noon ET on Friday, March 22, 2024. USCIS will implement a new beneficiary-centric system to ensure all beneficiaries have the