Please check the attachment to see the CRS report on Noncitizen Health Insurance Coverage And Use Of Select Safety-Net Providers.
WASHINGTON— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced in response to recent stakeholder feedback, that it is currently reviewing its policy on H-1B cap exemptions for non-profit entities that are related to or affiliated with an institution of higher education. Until further guidance is issued, USCIS is temporarily applying interim procedures to H-1B non-profit entity petitions filed with the agency seeking an exemption from the statutory H-1B numerical cap based on an affiliation with or relation to an institution of higher education.
—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is seeking comments from the public on the proposed prevailing wage rates received from the Guam Department of Labor for construction workers in Guam employed under the H-2B temporary worker program, and the system the governor of Guam uses to determine the rates.
WASHINGTON—In light of the recent earthquakes and tsunami in Japan, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminds Japanese nationals of certain U.S. immigration benefits available upon request.
USCIS understands that a natural disaster can affect an individual’s ability to establish or maintain lawful immigration status. Temporary relief measures available to eligible nationals of Japan may include:
WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will start accepting H-1B petitions subject to the fiscal year (FY) 2012 cap on April 1, 2011. Cases will be considered accepted on the date USCIS receives a properly filed petition for which the correct fee has been submitted; not the date that the petition is postmarked.
U.S. businesses use the H-1B program to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Such workers include scientists, engineers, and computer programmers, among others.
On March 21, 2011, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the launch of E-Verify Self Check—an innovative service that allows individuals in the United States to check their employment eligibility status before formally seeking employment.
E-Verify Self Check is the first online E-Verify program offered directly to workers and job seekers. This voluntary, free, fast and secure service was developed through a partnership between DHS and the Social Security Administration (SSA).
USCIS publishes transcript of E-Verify Self Check press conference. Please check the attachment to read the transcript.
[Federal Register: March 23, 2011 (Volume 76, Number 56)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 16231-16233]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23mr11-1]
========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
The Department has published today in the Federal Register a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) regarding the Temporary Non-agricultural Employment of H-2B Aliens in the United States (H-2B program). The NPRM proposes to amend the H-2B regulations at 20 CFR Part 655, Subpart A which govern the process by which employers apply for a temporary labor certification from the Department of Labor (Department) to be able to hire foreign workers in H-2B status. The Department is accepting comments on the proposed rulemaking until May 17, 2011. To read the full text
This Policy Memorandum provides guidance on processing fee waiver requests filed pursuant to 8 CFR 103.7(c) as amended by changes made in the final rule " U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service Fee Schedule, " published in the Federal Register (FR) on September 24, 2010.
USCIS Ombudsman update on H-2B Petition RFEs issued by USCIS that question the ”temporary” nature of the employer’s business need for foreign labor. Topics include a “temporary” employment need, and additional information that may help USCIS adjudicate the petition.
Click here to view CIS Ombudsman update.
Please check the attachment to view correction on Exchange Visitor Program Fees and Charges.
The U.S. Department of State's Immigrant Visa Control and Reporting Division, has confirmed a dramatic reduction in the use of EB-1 immigrant visa numbers and the resulting favorable effect on the EB-2 category for immigrant visas chargeable to India.
DOS advised that demand for visa numbers in the EB1 category has declined significantly. Thus, approximately 12,000 unused EB1 numbers will be available to shift downward to the EB2 category, starting in May 2011.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminded potential applicants of the April 1 deadline to apply for funding under the fiscal year (FY) 2011 Citizenship and Integration Grants Program. Organizations must apply electronically by 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 1 using the application package and instructions available at www.grants.gov.
Case: Picked for H1B lottery.
- What happens if the company lays off after June but before October 1? Would I stay on my current visa status? Or will I be on H1B but with a 60-day timeline to find the next job?
- Does the status automatically change to H1B on Oct 1? or does immigration require paystubs for a couple of weeks to prove our employment?
- If I file the petition with two companies separately, how will immigration decide which one to approve? Will they approve both?
- Are there any travel restrictions from June to Sept
In this scenario, you won't be on H-1B status with a 60-day grace period to find a new job.
I started the self-NIW application while working with employer A, but for some reason, I could not file the petition. Later I got laid off from employer A and now I'm working with employer B.
I want to restart the NIW application. Questions:
1. Since I got laid off with employer A, will that be a challenge/red flag in my petition?
2. It's only been one month with employee B. Shall I wait some time at company B to restart my NIW application? or doesn't it matter?
Answer 1. Being laid off is not a challenge/red flag.
Answer 2. There's no reason it should be. You don't need to wait to restart the application. You can file it even though you've only been with employer B for a month.
1) Is H1B cap-exempt to H1B lottery-based considered a change of status?
2) If I currently have an H1B cap-exempt visa and am filing for an H1B petition in June, when can I not travel outside of the US - from now to June, June to Petition Approval, or from Petition Approval to Oct ? My current H1B visa would be valid until Nov.
Yes, potentially. It allows you to work while your STEM OPT expires (April 30th in your case), and your H-1B petition is pending, extending your work authorization until October 1st.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has a collection of helpful resources and free study materials to help educators who teach adult citizenship education classes. Visit the USCIS Citizenship Resource Center to help find materials that can help you build curriculum and supplement classroom study materials.
Release Date
05/06/2024
WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is honoring its dedicated workforce during Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW) 2024. Celebrated annually during the first full week in May since 1985, PSRW is a time set aside to honor those who serve the nation as federal, state, county, and local government employees.
USCIS recently updated the following USCIS form(s):
Form I-941, Application for Entrepreneur Parole
05/06/2024 09:40 AM EDT
Edition Date: 05/06/24. Starting July 8, USCIS will accept only the 05/06/24 edition. Until then, you can also use the 04/01/24 and 07/21/22 editions. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
For more information, please visit the Forms Updates page.