H1B Visa Lawyer Blog

October 4, 2023

H-2B Cap Count UPDATE – 9/21/23

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 2024 (October 1 – March 31) is 33,000. As of the last count (9/21/23); 27,024 beneficiaries have been approved and 2,434 are pending for a total of 29,458.

The H-2B cap limit for second half of FY 2023 (April 1 – September 30) is 33,000. As of the last count (9/21/23); 0 beneficiaries have been approved and 0 are pending for a total of 0.

October 3, 2023

DHS Announces Extension of Temporary Protected Status for Venezuela

by Kellie N. Lego

On Thursday, September 20, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that they were extending the designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for the country of Venezuela for 18 months, beginning on March 11, 2024 and ending on September 10, 2025! Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas stated, “That is the situation that Venezuelans who arrived here on or before July 31 of this year find themselves in. We are accordingly granting them the protection that the law provides. However, it is critical that Venezuelans understand that those who have arrived here after July 31, 2023 are not eligible for such protection, and instead will be removed when they are found to not have a legal basis to stay.”

For further details please review the DHS News Release, “Secretary Mayorkas Announces Extension and Redesignation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status“

Background:

October 2, 2023

MVP “Immigration Q & A Forum” – This Friday, October 6, 2023

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, October 6, 2023. Act now and submit your questions!

September 29, 2023

DHS Announces Extension of Temporary Protected Status for Afghanistan

by Kellie N. Lego

On Thursday, September 21, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security announced that they were extending the designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for the country of Afghanistan for 18 months, from November 21, 2023, through May 20, 2025! Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas stated, “Today’s announcement to extend and redesignate TPS for Afghanistan allows us to continue to offer safety and protection to Afghan nationals who are unable to return to their country,”.

For further details please review the USCIS News Release, “Secretary Mayorkas Announces Extension and Redesignation of Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status“

Background:

September 27, 2023

Immigrants in each State (fact sheets): AR, CA and CO – Update

by Kellie N. Lego

UPDATE: Explore American Immigration Council’ interactive map to get more comprehensive information on U.S. immigration data and its impact!

The American Immigration Council (AIC) has released all fifty states and the District of Columbia, for a total of fifty-one updated state-by-state fact sheets highlighting immigration data and facts. These fact sheets highlight the demographic and economic impact of Immigrants in each state.

With national immigration policy being discussed, 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 AIC research. Once a week we will be posting a blog with information on three states at a time. This week we will highlight; Arkansas, California and Colorado!

September 26, 2023

USCIS Webinar – (10/5/23) – TPS Extension and Redesignation for Sudan

by Kellie N. Lego

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be holding a national webinar on Thursday, October 5, 2023, between 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm (Eastern). This webinar will provide an overview of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Sudan, including an explanation of eligibility requirements and filing tips. USCIS will respond to questions submitted in advance or via chat function during the webinar. They will not answer case-specific questions.

To Register for this webinar:

Visit our webinar registration page.

September 25, 2023

Update – Visa Bulletin – October 2023

by Kellie N. Lego

The Department of State has released its latest Visa Bulletin.

Click the link to view the October 2023 Visa Bulletin

UPDATE: When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application for Family-Sponsored or Employment-Based Preference Visas: October 2023

September 22, 2023

MVP “Immigration Q & A Forum” – 9/22/23

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.

Questions/ Answers:

What is SVP?

September 21, 2023

USCIS Webinar – (10/3/23) – TPS Extension and Redesignation for Ukraine

by Kellie N. Lego

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be holding a national webinar on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 between 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm (Eastern). This webinar will provide an overview of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukraine, including an explanation of eligibility requirements and filing tips. USCIS will respond to questions submitted in advance or via chat function during the webinar. They will not answer case-specific questions.

To Register for this webinar:

Visit our webinar registration page.

September 20, 2023

H-2B Cap Count UPDATE – 9/13/23

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 2024 (October 1 – March 31) is 33,000. As of the last count (9/13/23); 21,744 beneficiaries have been approved and 4,036 are pending for a total of 25,780.

The H-2B cap limit for second half of FY 2023 (April 1 – September 30) is 33,000. As of the last count (9/13/23); 0 beneficiaries have been approved and 0 are pending for a total of 0.