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Release Date 01/07/2021

Rule Expected to Protect the Economic Interests of American Workers

Published by: The Economic Times - Date: January 11, 2021

Synopsis

The wage levels are derived from the US Department of Labor data, which qualifies employees based upon a combination of the education and experience required for their job: Level 1 (entry level); Level 2 (qualified); Level 3 (experienced); Level 4 (fully competent). This rule will cause serious impediments for the US businesses if it is allowed to stand.

For more details please see the attachment below.

Release Date 01/08/2021

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors, USCIS is experiencing delays in issuing receipt notices for some applications and petitions filed at a USCIS lockbox facility. The information below explains the current state of lockbox operations and the issues affecting receipt notices.

Current Situation

01/12/2021

Starting in January, USCIS will replace the sticker that is currently issued to lawful permanent residents (LPRs) to extend the validity of their Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (PRC or “Green Card”), with a revised Form I-797, Notice of Action. LPRs file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, when their Green Cards expire or are about to expire. The revised Form I-797 notice will serve as a receipt notice for the Form I-90. 

Release Date 01/12/2021

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State (DOS), has announced the list of countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs in 2021. The notice listing the eligible countries will be published in the Federal Register on Jan. 13, 2021.

Following is an excerpt from a Radio Show with Rajiv S. Khanna:

"I think these regulations will get frozen and I think we will be able to revert to our last year's lottery system and we'll be able to make it through this year but I also think that it's going to be a comprehensive legal immigration reform".

Watch the complete video here:

Release Date 01/15/2021

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced it will temporarily suspend in-person services at all field offices, asylum offices and application support centers on Jan. 19 and 20 to ensure the safety of employees and individuals with appointments.

Published by: The Economic Times - Date: January 19, 2021

Synopsis

Taking another parting shot at the employment-based immigration affecting green cards, H-1B and other similar work visas, the Trump Department of Labor (DOL) has published a rule that raises the wages by approximately 30% across the board.

For more details please see the attachment below.

Published by: The Economic Times - Date: January 21, 2021

Synopsis

Politically, this is a good time for immigration laws to be revamped and modernized. Concluding from various polls conducted over the last two years, 70% of the US population considers immigration to be important for the United States. Democrats, that is Biden’s party, have the majority (although a slim one) to pass laws & be effective.

For more details please see the attachment below.

Published by: The Times of India  - Date: January 21, 2021

Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:

“It is most gratifying to see an acknowledgment from the Biden-Harris administration of the plight of immigration stakeholders” Arlington-based, Rajiv S Khanna, Managing Attorney at Immigration.com told TOI.

Published by: The Economic Times  - Date: January 21, 2021

Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv on the article:

“Some of the changes will be delayed because they need a change in the laws, which is likely to be a few-months process, but the Biden administration is already prepared to send a legislative package to Congress. Some of the changes will be delayed because they might require deregulation,” said Rajiv S. Khanna, Managing Attorney at immigration.com

publication descriptionPublished by: The Economic Times -  Jan 25, 2021  

Synopsis:

publication descriptionBiden’s administration has already withdrawn the regulation that was not yet published: the USCIS regulation that redefined employer-employee relationship to a far stricter level than we have ever had before, and required end-clients to be actively involved in the H-1B process.

Published by: The Times of India  - Date: January 28, 2021

Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:

Rajiv S Khanna, Managing Attorney at Immigration.com told TOI, "The May 14, timeline should take us past the H-1B lottery, if the Labour Condition Application (LCA) process is done before the kick-off date." The registration for H-1B applications (petitions) for the coming season is expected to commence in March. The lottery will be held in April.

Release Date 01/28/2021

In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending the flexibilities it announced on March 30, 2020, to assist applicants, petitioners, and requestors who are responding to certain: