From the USCIS Public Engagement Division: If an H-1B, H-2A, or H-2B petitioner submits evidence establishing that the primary reason for failing to timely file an extension of stay or change of status request was due to the government shutdown, USCIS will consider the government shutdown as an extraordinary circumstance…
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that Congress passed a bill extending the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program for Iraqi nationals who worked for or on behalf of the U.S. government in Iraqi. President Obama signed the bill into law on October 4, 2013. The SIV program had…
The U.S. House and Senate agreed on a budget deal late last night. President Obama signed the bill early this morning ending the shutdown! All federal government workers will return to their normal work schedules as of today, Thursday, October 17th!
Senate leaders announced today that they have reached a last-minute agreement to end the 16-day government shutdown. The shutdown, which went into effect on October 1st, caused many government offices to close, including the Department of Labor, resulting in delays or even lapses in normal services. The Senate deal would…
The H-2B non-agricultural temporary worker program allows U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary non-agricultural jobs. The H-2B cap limit for the second half of FY 2013 (April 1 – September 30) is 33,000. As of the last count (9/30/13); 28,233 beneficiaries have been…
The Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals (BALCA) recently affirmed the decision of a Certifying Officer (CO) to deny labor certification for the position of “Industrial/Organizational Psychologist.” After receiving & reviewing an Employer’s Application for Permanent Labor Certification, the CO issued an Audit notification. The Employer presented its response and…
The Department of State has released its latest Visa Bulletin. Click here to view the November 2013 Visa Bulletin As projected by the U.S. Department of State, the November 2013 Visa Bulletin shows the EB2 date for nationals from India at 6/15/08; EB3 date for nationals from India at 9/22/03;…
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A large Immigration Rally was held on Tuesday, October 8, 2013 seeking to push the House Republicans to hold a vote on the stalled immigration reform bill. A rally and concert were held on the National Mall in front of the U.S. Capitol. When members of the rally started blocking…
The Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals (BALCA) recently affirmed the decision of a Certifying Officer (CO) to deny labor certification for the position of “Bilingual Programmer.” After obtaining & examining an Employer’s application for Permanent Labor Certification, the CO issued an Audit notification ordering the Employer to submit a…