nonimmigrant visas

September 30, 2013

What Happens If the Government Shuts Down? – Updated 9/30/13

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has requested information from the federal government agencies involved in the immigration system for updates on their contingency plans in case of a government shutdown. A possible government shutdown could happen as early as October 1, 2013, the beginning of the new fiscal year 2014 (FY2014). AILA has reported that they have not received any updated information at this time. They suggested reviewing the shutdown plans for the last threatened federal government shutdown, which was in 2011.

Below is an excerpt from MVP Law Group’s original blog post on the subject dated (4/8/11).

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September 19, 2013

Updated Service Center Processing Times

by Kellie N. Lego

Processing Time reports for all of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Service Centers were released on 9/17/13 with processing dates as of 7/31/13.

If you filed a petition with one of the Service Centers, please review the links below to determine the applicable processing time associated with your particular case.

California Service Center

September 18, 2013

H-2B Cap Count UPDATE – 9/13/13

by Kellie N. Lego

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 (9/13/13); 27,979 beneficiaries have been approved and 918 are pending for a total of 28,897.

The H-2B cap limit for first half of FY 2014 (October 1 – March 31) is 33,000. As of the last count (9/13/13); 3,556 beneficiaries have been approved and 2,017 are pending for a total of 5,573.

September 6, 2013

H-2B Cap Count UPDATE – 8/30/13

by Kellie N. Lego

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 (8/30/13); 27,649 beneficiaries have been approved and 1,083 are pending for a total of 28,732.

The H-2B cap limit for first half of FY 2014 (October 1 – March 31) is 33,000. As of the last count (8/30/13); 2,574 beneficiaries have been approved and 1,566 are pending for a total of 4,140.

September 3, 2013

H-2B Cap Count UPDATE – 8/23/13

by Kellie N. Lego

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 (8/23/13); 27,508 beneficiaries have been approved and 1,155 are pending for a total of 28,663.

The H-2B cap limit for first half of FY 2014 (October 1 – March 31) is 33,000. As of the last count (8/23/13); 2,350 beneficiaries have been approved and 795 are pending for a total of 3,145.

August 27, 2013

Updated Service Center Processing Times

by Kellie N. Lego

Processing Time reports for all of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Service Centers were released on 8/20/13 with processing dates as of 6/30/13.

If you filed a petition with one of the Service Centers, please review the links below to determine the applicable processing time associated with your particular case.

California Service Center

August 20, 2013

H-2B Cap Count UPDATE – 8/9/13

by Kellie N. Lego

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 (8/9/13); 27,168 beneficiaries have been approved and 1,170 are pending for a total of 28,338.

The H-2B cap limit for first half of FY 2014 (October 1 – March 31) is 33,000. As of the last count (8/9/13); 678 beneficiaries have been approved and 652 are pending for a total of 1,330.

August 15, 2013

Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) Processing Times – 8/12/13

by Kellie N. Lego

Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) Processing Times were released with processing dates as of August 12, 2013.

If you filed an appeal, please review the link below to determine the applicable processing time associated with your particular case.

Administrative Appeals Office

August 9, 2013

Updated Service Center Processing Times

by Kellie N. Lego

Processing Time reports for all of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Service Centers were released on 8/2/13 with processing dates as of 5/31/13.

If you filed a petition with one of the Service Centers, please review the links below to determine the applicable processing time associated with your particular case.

California Service Center

August 8, 2013

H-2B Cap Count UPDATE – 8/5/13

by Kellie N. Lego

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 (8/2/13); 26,860 beneficiaries have been approved and 1,191 are pending for a total of 28,051.

The H-2B cap limit for first half of FY 2014 (October 1 – March 31) is 33,000. As of the last count (8/2/13); 397 beneficiaries have been approved and 513 are pending for a total of 910.