New Polls Show Continued U.S. Support for Immigration Reform

Results of a poll issued earlier this month by the American Action Forum, show that 78 percent of GOP primary voters, support a step-by-step approach to an immigration reform.  The House has said that it prefers this gradual approach, although it hasn’t taken any action beyond passing a handful of separate bills through committees.   For more information on the polls and the current state of the immigration reform, check out this NBC News article:  http://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/two-new-polls-show-continued-u-s-support-immigration-reform-n129461

Department of State Revises Visa Reciprocity Schedule for Ukraine

Effective immediately, U.S. Department of State has a revised visa reciprocity schedule for Ukraine to increase the validity of the B-1/B-2 nonimmigrant visitor visa category from the current 60 months to 120 months, valid for multiple entries.  All other visa validities for Ukrainian nationals will remain unchanged.

USCIS Pledges to Improve the EB-5 Green Card Through Investment Program

The Huffington Post published "USCIS Works to Improve the EB-5 Visa Program. Will Congress Follow Suit?" by EB5 Investors Magazine's CEO Ali Jahangiri.  Recently appointed program director Nicholas Colucci at an EB-5 stakeholders conference call pledged that USCIS will not only attempt to process forms more efficiently, but it also aims to increase its competency in the due diligence department.  As of September 2013, there were 7,131 petitions currently pending, pointing to a need for increased efficiency at USCIS.  Approving projects that are well-planned and likely to succeed will continue to strengthen the EB-5 program's image, as well as provide much needed benefits to the U.S. economy. Click here to read the full article.

H-1B Season Is In Full Swing!

U.S. employers wishing to employ foreign national workers in the H-1B specialty occupation category starting October 1, 2014, cannot file the H-1B applications earlier than 6 months prior to the October 1^st start date, or prior to April 1, 2014.  There is an annual quota of 65,000 visas for foreign nationals in the general H-1B category and 20,000 for foreign nationals with an advanced degree (Master’s or higher).  Last year USCIS reached the quota for both the general and advanced degree H-1B categories within the first week of April 1, 2013 filing deadline, with the remainder of the applications being subject to a lottery. 


With U.S. economy having improved since the recession, it is projected that more U.S. employers will be onboarding new employees this year, including foreign national workers.  The demand for H-1Bs will be higher than in previous years, and the quota will probably once again be reached in the first week of April 1, 2014 for foreign national workers who wish to begin employment on October 1, 2014.  It would be wise for the U.S. employers to begin the H-1B process early on to ensure that the applications are filed by April 1, 2014.

Fate of Children of Deported Parents: Stark Reality

January 8, 2014

The Washington Post reports that concerns about the fate of children of deported parents are adding an emotional pitch to the call for a Comprehensive Immigration Reform.  According to a study by Human Impact Partners, in 2012 an estimated 150,000 U.S. citizen children had at least one illegal alien parent deported.  Advocates are urging Congress to create a path to legalization for undocumented immigrants, allowing separated family members to be reunited and to prevent children from having to lose their parent(s) to deportation.  Read The Washington Post article at http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/deportations-of-parents-can-cast-the-lives-of-us-citizen-kids-into-turmoil/2013/12/29/abdf23aa-6b4c-11e3-b405-7e360f7e9fd2_story.html

December Bulletin Is Here!

November 15, 2013

U.S. Department of State (DOS) released the Visa Bulletin for December 2013 this week. The employment-based visa category for India retrogressed from June 15, 2008 to November 15, 2004. There are small movements forward in the priority dates for family-based worldwide, China, and India visa preference categories.  Visit DOS’ website to view the current Visa Bulletin:  http://travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_1360.html

Foreign Travelers Entering the U.S. Will No Longer Be Issued Paper I-94 Cards!

November 6, 2013

Earlier this year U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) automated Form I-94 at air and sea ports of entry in order to increase efficiency and streamline the admissions process.  The paper I-94 form will no longer be provided to foreign nationals entering the U.S., except in limited circumstances. The foreign national coming to the U.S. will be provided with a CBP admission stamp in his/her passport.  If the foreign national traveler needs a copy of the I-94 form (record of admission) for verification of alien registration, immigration status or employment authorization purposes, he/she may obtain it at www.cbp.gov/I94.  It is always prudent and a good idea to have a hard copy of the I-94 admission record!