Department of Homeland Security
Second H-1B Cap Lottery Completed by USCIS for FY 2025
On August 5, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced the completion of its second random selection from previously submitted H-1B cap lottery registrations for fiscal year (“FY”) 2025. Newly selected registrants have been notified via their myUSCIS accounts, which should be updated to include a selection notice with instructions for filing the H-1B petition. The second cap lottery filing period will be open for at least ninety (90) days and lottery selection for petition filing does not guarantee approval. As such, each petition submission should include the required evidence and establish eligibility for petition approval based on regulatory requirements. Please continue to monitor Immigration Insights for H-1B cap season updates and contact immigration counsel to strategize H-1B alternatives for cap non-selections.
Executive Orders
President Biden Announces Executive Action to Keep American Families Together
President Biden has recently announced a new immigration plan to keep U.S. citizens together with their noncitizen spouses on U.S. soil and help Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”) beneficiaries with longer term immigration planning. The new Executive Action directs the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) to develop a process for certain foreign national spouses and children of U.S. citizens to apply for lawful permanent residence without leaving the U.S. The Executive Action also directs DHS to develop a process for work visa issuance to DACA recipients who have earned a degree from a U.S. college or university and have received a job offer for employment in their field from a U.S. employer. This should provide assistance to tens of thousands of long-term U.S. residents whose future in this country have been on hold due to immigration hurdles. Please continue to monitor Immigration Insights for the latest updates on the implementation of this Executive Action and related requirements for qualification.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Munsch Hardt Immigration Team has successfully assisted employees of a global food production and distribution company with specialized knowledge visa obtainment for temporary employment in the U.S. Our team has extensive knowledge and experience assisting investors, traders and their essential employees in obtaining work authorization in the U.S.