USCIS now interprets the 24-month STEM OPT extension rule from 2016 to require a STEM OPT worker to be placed only at a worksite of the employer. In other words, the USCIS now says that any offsite placement, including at a third-party worksite, is prohibited. Will this affect the H1B petitions filed by employers for such opt students, where they are working at an end client location (not employer location) and the H1B petition was filed with end client details.
First of all to say that USCIS has changed its regulations and they do not allow off-site placements of STEM OPT extensions students is incorrect, because USCIS has said this from a very long time that they are not going to allow these placements. If you are in a situation, what can happen is you could be considered to be out of status for no fault of your own. So if you file an H-1B and if the government says well we think you're out of status hopefully that's all they can do, they can make you go outside the USA for a visa stamping.
well, what can I say than the usual? Folks at Rajiv's office must be thinking 'phew. we have recieved another one of those glorious feedbacks today. YET again. so, there you go. I'll be another guy who says you are the best. But its true aint it? You know your stuff, you are attentive, you hear our griping, whining and still say 'How can we help?' . Thats what I like the most about Rajiv's Office. After 9 years in the country, just when I started to get comfortable and thinking my status is safe, i received an RFE asking for what I call "Copy from CM and Copy from PM", which in other words, USCIS has asked for letters from everyone involved in my employment. Thank goodness, they didnt ask the now infamous 'tax returns of the company and letter fron the president'. The moment I saw my RFE, I sent an email to Rajiv with one sentence 'HELP!!'. He responded back in 5 minutes, directing his most amazing and best-at-what-she-does assistant, Anna Baker to help me. Letters followed, checks mailed, more emails and voila, we have our case ready and all the letters signed. We applied last friday (July 3rd), received the status email, and case processing has resumed the same day. On July 8th we received an email containing the magical words 'Approval Notice Sent'!! So, lets start with the mail room guys, copying room folks, all the assistants: Thanks a ton! and then Anna : Any number of thanks and best wishes wouldnt be sufficient for your hard work and diligence. and of course Rajiv: For assembling the best team, and for always being there. Thanks to all of you for making this happen for me. Much Appreciated. Bala