FDNS (Fraud Detection and National Security) H-1B Investigations
FDNS H1B Assessment Overview and History:
Search
H-1B Benefit Fraud & Compliance Assessment
The Office of Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS), a Division of the National Security and Records Verification (NSRV) Directorate, drafted this report, in collaboration with the other USCIS Directorates and the USCIS Office of Chief Counsel. All USCIS components reviewed the cases involving fraud or technical violations and the proposed enhancements to the H-1B program and concurred on the report.
For more information on this report please check the attachment.
Nonimmigrant Visas
Immigration Law
H-1B Program and Information Sharing with Homeland Security
This report from GAO describes: (1) how Labor carries out its H-1B program responsibilities; and (2) how Labor works with other agencies involved in the H-1B program.
Nonimmigrant Visas
Agency
Immigration Law
Review of the USCIS Benefit Fraud Referral Process
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General was established by the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-296) by amendment to the Inspector General Act of 1978.
This report addresses the Fraud Detection and National Security program of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. The program endeavors to detect and deter immigration benefit fraud. This report is based on interviews with employees and officials of relevant agencies and institutions, direct observations, and a review of applicable documents.
Nonimmigrant Visas
Agency
Immigration Law
RFE H-1 without a client letter
Question details
I applied for a H1 Transfer in May 09 as my client required me to be an employee of the preferred vendor.In aug 09 I received an RFE asking for a client letter.Could you please let me know if there is anyway to get the approval without the client letter or any other supporting document will serve the purpose. Please do the need full.
Read my blog and my article on this issue.
CIS Ombudsman Issues Recommendation to USCIS on Temporary Acceptance of Filed Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) for Certain H-1B Filings
CIS Ombudsman released a recommendation on "Temporary Acceptance of Filed Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) for Certain H-1B Filings."
Please check attachment for detailed information.
H-1 Approval after 5 Years of Unlawful Presence
We were recently retained by an employer who had received very poor legal advice and representation from two different lawyers because of which their employee and her children fell out of H-1 status AND were unlawfully present in USA since 2004. It appeared almost impossible that we will be able to get her back into status after a gap of over FIVE years, but it did work out. Today, we have received H-1 approval as well as the coveted I-94 for all family members.
Nonimmigrant Visas
Profession/Occupation
Filing H1B
Question details
I am working in Company A with L1 status. I filed for an H1 (FY-2010) with Company B and got it approved. Now Company A as of date wants to file for my H1 (FY-2010).
My questions are:
a) Can the already approved H1 get cancelled because of A's application?
b) Can I loose both H1's (A and B both cancelled)
c) Is there any way to retain at least one (A or B)?
You do not "lose" an existing H-1 by filing of a new one.
Guestbook Entry for Bruce A. Trickel, United States
Name
Bruce A. Trickel
Country
United States
State
Oklahoma
Feb 3, 2022 Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Citizenship and Naturalization
Green Card
Discussion topics:
Feb 17, 2022, Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
Discussion Topics, February 17, 2022
FAQ's: Left while Extension pending. B-1/B-2 visa inspection at the airport by the CBP and repercussions || Interfiling || Interfiling and AC21 Portability || Interfiling, Returning to Old Employer
Interfiling - Job change after I-140 approval with priority date current and issues with H-1B transfer and H-1B extensions
Question details
I am on H-1B visa with employer A. Have approved I-140 with priority date as Oct 2015 under EB-2. Looks like EB-2 can hit 2015 by the end of this year. With that in mind, Below are my questions:
1) Suggestions on switching employers when PD is nearing anytime soon. If I switch to employer B, what if my PD becomes current before employer B I-140 is approved? How long can I wait after my priority date becomes current to file I-485 with employer B I-140?
2) Will there be any issues for H-1B transfer and further H-1B extensions with employer B when the new PERM/I-140 is still under process?
FAQ Transcript
If you have changed employers priority date with the old employer becomes current you could go back and join them, if you have a good explanation why you left them in the first place.
Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, this is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.
Maintaining H-1B status once I-I485 EAD is received after downgrading from EB-2 to EB-3
Question details
I have been on H-1B for the past 16 years. Recently received my I-485 EAD after downgrading from EB-2 to EB-3. Can I work full time for my own company now in the same field or Do I still need to have an employer, if I am ok to give up H-1 status?
FAQ Transcript
Theoretically at least, the answer is “yes”. The government clearly allows that, but there are a lot of wrinkles. Talk with the lawyer and make sure you understand all the nuances, including employer-employee relationship, genuine job offer etc., and then you can do it. I do not see any reason why you cannot.
Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, this is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.
Interfiling - EB-2 to EB-3 downgrade as per the amendment. Can I now interfile?
Question details
My EB-2 was downgraded to EB-3 in Oct 2020 and the attorney marked the amended box ( "To amend a previously filed petition") as checked.
Timeline:
I received the EAD combo card in Dec 2021. Changed the Employer (though transferred H-1) using AC21 after way more than 180 days of pending 485
My PD is June 30, 2012 Now that EB3 is retrogressed and stuck in Jan 2012., I wanted to know
1. If I interfile EB2. Will it be rejected as the amended box was checked when downgraded?
2. If we interfile, will there be an impact on the EB-3, in case they reject it
3. What is the best way now to have both EB-2 and EB-3 run side by side. What is the fastest way to get to GC in my case?
FAQ Transcript
1. First of all you cannot interfile because you are not with that employer who holds your EB-2 I-140. Regarding rejection, you are right.
2. It could be.
3.Have your new employer start a new case. Start from PERM upwards.
Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, this is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.
What exactly is Interfiling?
What exactly is interfiling?
USCIS will no longer accept a single combined payment on certain forms filed together with an H-1B or H-1B1 petition
For all H-1B and H-1B1 petitions received on or after April 1, 2022, USCIS will no longer accept a single, combined fee payment when Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status; Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization; or Form I-824, Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition, is filed together with an H-1B or H-1B1 petition (Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker). Each of these forms received by USCIS on or after April 1 must have its own fee payment instrument or USCIS will reject the entire package.
USCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2022 H-1B Cap
Release Date
USCIS has received a sufficient number of petitions needed to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for fiscal year (FY) 2022.
USCIS has completed sending non-selection notifications to registrants’ online accounts. The status for registrations properly submitted for the FY 2022 H-1B numerical allocations, but that were not selected, will now show:
I have utilized the services of Attorney Rajiv Khanna many times over the last 10 years and have 100% of the time been satisfied with the prompt, expert, and swift handling of the H1B and Green Card applications. Most recently I took over a very complicated immigration situation when I took over as the Chief Operating Officer for CCOM Medical Group. I was faced with an employee that was out of status and her whole immigration process had been mishandled by numerous attorney’s over several years. Rajiv’s staff quickly put together a plan, researched all the potential obstacles we could potentially run into, and executed parallel applications for an H1B visa and green card. The end result was obtaining an approved H1B visa for my employee and H-4 for her son along with an approved I-140 so that as her priority date comes up later this year she can get her green card. We are all very happy and appreciative of the fine work Rajiv and his staff did for our employee and CCOM Medical Group. In my ten year history in working with Rajiv he has never, ever, let me down and he and his staff are always conscious of ensuring I have the appropriate expected outcome in mind and am fully aware of any downside to a situation before it happens. I like to make informed decisions and Rajiv allows me to do that. Anyone reading my comments is more than welcome to contact me at (918) 683-0753.