H1B Visa Lawyer Blog

December 19, 2016

MVP “Immigration Q & A Forum” – This Friday, Dec. 23, 2016

We wanted to find a new way to engage our reader base. Every other Friday, we will post the ten (10) best/most frequently asked questions received during the week from our h1bvisalawyerblog, Facebook, and Twitter readers. We will answer those questions and provide the Q&A on our H-1B Visa Lawyer Blog.

If you have a burning question, are seeking assistance with a difficult immigration related case, wish to discuss your views on Comprehensive Immigration Reform, DREAMers, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, priority dates, the monthly visa bulletin, adjustment applications, etc., please contact us by submitting your question/comment/viewpoint in our comment box provided on our H-1B Visa Lawyer Blog.

Our next “Q & A Forum” will take place this Friday, Dec. 23, 2016. Act now and submit your questions!

December 16, 2016

Economic Power of New Americans (Update) – New Mexico, New York & North Carolina

by Kellie N. Lego

The Immigration Policy Center (IPC) has released all fifty states, the District of Columbia and the United States (Overall), for a total of fifty-two updated fact sheets with accompanying info graphics and other details. These fact sheets highlight the demographic and economic impact of Immigrants, Asians and Latinos in each state. The Immigration Policy Center (IPC) is the research and policy division of the American Immigration Council (AIC).

With national immigration policy being discussed as part of Presidential Elections, we thought that it would be a good time to provide some statistics on the Immigrant population in the United States as provided by this IPC research. Once a week we will be posting a blog with information on three states at a time. This week we will highlight; New Mexico, New York & North Carolina.

The IPC has compiled research which shows that Immigrants, Latinos and Asians are an essential part of each of these states’ economy, labor force and tax base. Immigrants and their children are a growing economic and political force as consumers, taxpayers and entrepreneurs. With the nation working towards economic recovery, immigrants and their children will continue to play a key role in shaping the economic and political future of each of these states.

December 15, 2016

Visa Bulletin – January 2017

by Kellie N. Lego

The Department of State has released its latest Visa Bulletin.

Click here to view the January 2017 Visa Bulletin

The monthly Visa Bulletin has changed. The bulletin now summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during the reported month for: “Application Final Action Dates” (consistent with prior Visa Bulletins) and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center using Consular Processing (outside of the US) or file on their own with USCIS Form I-485 (within the US).

December 14, 2016

MVP Immigration Newsletter – November 2016

by Kellie N. Lego

Once a month, MVP Law Groups’ Managing Attorney, Kellie N. Lego publishes an electronic Immigration Newsletter. This emailed newsletter features current articles, relevant data and up-to-date information about U.S. Immigration. We invite you to join our mailing list.

Current Newsletter: MVP Immigration Newsletter – November 2016

Follow link to join: Join our mailing list!

December 12, 2016

H-2B Cap Count UPDATE – 12/1/16

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. There is a cap limit of 33,000 for the first half of the fiscal year and 33,000 for the second half for a total of 66,000 per year. If the cap is not reached during the first half of the fiscal year, the extra numbers are then made available for the second half.

The H-2B cap limit for first half of FY 2017 (October 1 – March 31) is 33,000. As of the last count (12/1/16); 13,566 beneficiaries have been approved and 2,028 are pending for a total of 15,597.

The H-2B cap limit for second half of FY 2017 (April 1 – September 30) is 33,000. As of the last count (12/1/16); 0 beneficiaries have been approved and 0 are pending for a total of 0.

December 9, 2016

MVP LAW GROUP – Immigration Q&A Forum, Friday, Dec. 9, 2016

by Kellie N. Lego

MVP Law Group, P.A. makes available the information and materials in this forum for informational purposes only. The information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice or any contractual obligations. Further, the use of this site, and the sending or receipt of this information, does not create an attorney-client relationship between us. Therefore, your communication with us through this forum will not be considered as privileged or confidential.

Question #1 – H1B Nonimmigrant Work Visa

Is there a grace period for applying for an H-1B transfer after termination from a previous sponsoring employer?

December 7, 2016

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) updated FY2016 Statistics (Fourth Quarter)

by Kellie N. Lego

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) has provided FY2016 statistics (fourth quarter) in the form of program factsheets for each of the major immigration programs. These updated FY2016 statistics (fourth quarter) cover July 2016 through September 2016.

The link to each program factsheet is listed below:

• Permanent Labor Certification Program – Select Statistics, FY 2016 (fourth quarter)

December 6, 2016

Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) Processing Times – 12/1/16

by Kellie N. Lego

Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) Processing Times were released with processing dates as of 12/1/16.

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

Administrative Appeals Office

December 5, 2016

MVP “Immigration Q & A Forum” – This Friday, Dec. 9, 2016

by Kellie N. Lego

We wanted to find a new way to engage our reader base. Every other Friday, we will post the ten (10) best/most frequently asked questions received during the week from our h1bvisalawyerblog, Facebook, and Twitter readers. We will answer those questions and provide the Q&A on our H-1B Visa Lawyer Blog.

If you have a burning question, are seeking assistance with a difficult immigration related case, wish to discuss your views on Comprehensive Immigration Reform, DREAMers, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, priority dates, the monthly visa bulletin, adjustment applications, etc., please contact us by submitting your question/comment/viewpoint in our comment box provided on our H-1B Visa Lawyer Blog.

Our next “Q & A Forum” will take place this Friday, Dec. 9, 2016. Act now and submit your questions!

December 2, 2016

USCIS Teleconference – Form I-942, Request for Reduced Fee Process – 12/7/16

by Kellie N. Lego

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be holding a stakeholder teleconference on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 between 3:00 to 4:30 pm (Eastern). The subject of the event will be the new Form I-942, Request for Reduced Fee, which may be used to request a reduced fee for Form N-400. Representatives from USCIS will give an overview of form I-942 and answer questions during the discussion.

The new Form I-942 will go into effect December 23, 2016. Using this form, USCIS will offer a reduced filing fee of $320 for naturalization applicants with family incomes greater than 150 percent and not more than 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For example, in 2016, a household of four with an income between $36,000 and $48,600 per year could pay the reduced fee.

Event Information: