CBP has stepped up scrutiny of foreign nationals entering the U.S. on a visa or without a visa under the U.S. Electronic Systems for Travel Authorization (ESTA) program. Travelers should be prepared for more extensive questioning if a CBP inspector decides that they had not been properly and sufficiently vetted prior to travel.
Arizona and Maryland have recently become the ninth and tenth state respectively to join the Records and Information from DMVs for E-Verify (RIDE) program. RIDE is part of the E-Verify and is used to link the E-Verify database with the participating states’ driver’s license agencies. RIDE allows E-Verify to review the authenticity of driver’s license
September 2017 DOS Visa Bulletin “Final Action” chart for employment-based preference cases contains some important updates as we head into the last month of the government’s ongoing Fiscal Year (FY2017). Immigrant visa eligibility under the EB-2 “Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability” category for All Chargeability areas, Mexico, El
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has just released a revised version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. Employers may use the new version of Form I-9 (edition date of 07/17/17 N) or continue using the Form I-9 with a revision date of 11/14/16 N through September 17, 2017. On September 18, 2017, employers will
The Supreme Court has partially lifted the preliminary injunctions that barred the implementation of sections 2 and 6 of the Executive Order (“EO”) signed by President Trump on March 6, 2017, which suspends the entry to the U.S. of nationals from six designated countries (Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen). The EO’s U.S. entry
DOS has confirmed that it is sending e-mails to some employers who have submitted immigration proceedings on behalf of beneficiaries. The e-mails come from a contractor at the DOS and ask employers to confirm that a beneficiary will be providing services at the company. If you receive such an e-mail from the e-mail address clientverification@state.gov,
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has started issuing redesigned Permanent Resident Cards (i.e., “Green Cards”) and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) under its secure identification document program. The new cards display their holders’ photos on both sides, contain a unique graphic image and color pattern (Statue of Liberty and mostly green palette for Green Cards,
Timely and consistent I-9 compliance which is frequently referenced to on this blog and multiple other immigration resources, acquired new significance for a small staffing company in Minnesota. Upon receipt of a Notice of Inspection (NOI) requiring to present all of its I-9 forms for current and former employees, the business turned over a number
The July 2017 DOS Visa Bulletin “Final Action” chart for employment-based preference cases contains some important updates as we head into the tenth month of FY2017. The DOS maintains the January 1, 2012 cut-off date EB-1 Priority Workers for China and India. EB-2 “Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability”
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has completed its Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 H-1B visa lottery and mailed out receipt notices for the petitions accepted for processing under the H-1B visa cap. Petitioners that have not received H-1B petition receipt notices for the filings under the cap by the current date should check on the