nonimmigrant visas

November 6, 2013

H-2B Cap Count UPDATE – 11/1/13

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 first half of FY 2014 (October 1 – March 31) is 33,000. As of the last count (11/1/13); 7,258 beneficiaries have been approved and 1,205 are pending for a total of 8,463.

The H-2B cap limit for second half of FY 2014 (April 1 – September 30) is 33,000. As of the last count (11/1/13); 0 beneficiaries have been approved and 0 are pending for a total of 0.

October 24, 2013

H-2B Cap Count UPDATE – 10/18/13

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 first half of FY 2014 (October 1 – March 31) is 33,000. As of the last count (10/18/13); 6,541 beneficiaries have been approved and 1,296 are pending for a total of 7,837.

The H-2B cap limit for second half of FY 2014 (April 1 – September 30) is 33,000. As of the last count (10/18/13); 0 beneficiaries have been approved and 0 are pending for a total of 0.

October 22, 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 10/16/13 with processing dates as of 8/31/13.

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

October 18, 2013

USCIS Message: Important Information on Form I-129 H-1B, H-2A, and H-2B Petitions

by Kellie N. Lego

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 and excuse the late filing, if the petitioner meets all other applicable requirements.

For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

October 16, 2013

H-2B Cap Count UPDATE – 10/4/13

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 (9/30/13); 28,233 beneficiaries have been approved and 572 are pending for a total of 28,805.

The H-2B cap limit for first half of FY 2014 (October 1 – March 31) is 33,000. As of the last count (10/4/13); 5,923 beneficiaries have been approved and 1,259 are pending for a total of 7,182.

October 1, 2013

H-2B Cap Count UPDATE – 9/20/13

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 (9/20/13); 28,173 beneficiaries have been approved and 749 are pending for a total of 28,922.

The H-2B cap limit for first half of FY 2014 (October 1 – March 31) is 33,000. As of the last count (9/20/13); 4,657 beneficiaries have been approved and 1,892 are pending for a total of 6,549.

September 30, 2013

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

by Kellie N. Lego

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.