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Published by: The Economic Times - Date: January 05, 2021  

Synopsis

The current extension states that “while the November overall unemployment rate in the United States of 6.7 percent reflects a marked decline from its April high, there were still 9,834,000 fewer seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs in November than in February of 2020.” This reasoning is factually and logically untenable.

Published by: The Economic Times - Date: January 07, 2021 

Synopsis

For this year (FY 2021-22), the USCIS has attempted to change the lottery selection process to favor the highest paid employees first. That change is embodied in a proposed regulation, which can be published as a final rule any time.

For more on this article please see the attachment below.

Published by: The Times of India  - Date: January 08, 2021

Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv on the article:

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.