IMMIGRATION INNOVATION (I2) ACT OF 2013
ORRIN HATCH (R-UTAH), AMY KLOBUCHAR (D-MINN.), MARCO RUBIO (R-FLA.), CHRIS COONS (D-DEL.)
Employment-Based Nonimmigrant H-1B Visas
1. Increase H-1B cap from 65,000 to 115,000
2. Establish a market-based H-1B escalator, so that the cap can adjust – up or down – to the demands of the economy (includes a 300,000 ceiling on the ability of the escalator to move)
We filed an ETA 9089 Labor Certification and included a requirement of a Master’s degree. The job required no employment experience, but did require hands-on work in a university research laboratory with particular equipment. DOL denied the application, stating that training and experience requirements were in place that exceeded the employer’s true minimum requirements. We responded with an MTR/Appeal asserting that this was not an appropriate ground for denial and that no formal training was required or available in these technologies.
We filed an I-140 application in which the beneficiary was no longer working for the employer and was living outside the U.S. We included fairly standard supporting documents. To show the employer’s ability to pay the offered wage, we submitted federal tax returns and a W-2 from the preceding year. To show the beneficiary’s qualifications, we submitted a copy of his degree and affidavits from previous supervisors and co-workers with supporting documents.
We filed an H-1 application for a Bonsai Nursery/Facility Manager. USCIS issued a Request for Evidence (RFE) challenging whether or not a specific Bachelor’s level education is required for this position. We filed a detailed response, with voluminous evidence the specialized nature of the job. We urged USCIS to consider the merits of the job description and what it would take to perform the job. We argued job titles alone are not dispositive of the nature of a job.
USCIS approved the application.
Over the past three years, this Administration has undertaken an unprecedented effort to transform the immigration enforcement system into one that focuses on public safety, border security and the integrity of the immigration system.
In order to implement the Department's IT modernization initiative and new cloud computing requirements, the OFLC Chicago National Processing Center (NPC) deactivated the following email boxes on February 3, 2014:
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Processing Updates: 2012‐2014 First Quarter
See the Customer Servce Guide: How Do I Request Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals in multiple languages below.
According to the latest report from "Indian Express"
he Obama Administration has expressed hope that the US Congress would be able to pass the immigration reform bill, even as the House of Representative Speaker John Boehner remained doubtful about it.
Release Date: February 7, 2014
I begin by thanking the Woodrow Wilson Center and the Aspen Homeland Security Group for inviting me to speak here today.
I also want to thank Jane Harman for your leadership, your continued service to our country, and your willingness to be a supporter, mentor and advisor to me and to numerous others around this town. When Jane Harman advises, I listen.
USCIS released three short video vignettes for employees and employers that demonstrate how to complet
SEVIS by the Numbers is a statistical summary report produced using data compiled from SEVIS. This report provides a snap-shot of relevant and useful information and is used as a resource by a variety of SEVP stakeholders and partner agencies.
This quarterly review is based on information retrieved on January 15, 2014. As SEVIS is a real-time database, exact numbers within this review were accurate as of the date retrieved.
Here is my experience of same day interview and oath in Seattle.
Interview
My interview was at 9:00 but I left early (6:30) since I live 30 miles away and traffic is a nightmare around there. I was lucky to bypass two bad crashes because I was listening to the radio and got to a Starbucks near there for breakfast.
AAO Processing Times
This chart shows the average amount of time it takes to receive a decision in a particular type of case after the case file is received by the AAO. Processing times are directly related to the volume of cases received.
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AAO Processing Times as of February 1, 2014 |
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Case Type |
Time |
Effective February 11, 2014 The Department authorizes a reduction in reciprocity for business and tourist visa categories for Mauritanian visa applicants.
For more information please click on the attachment