Immigration Updates

The immigration and Nationality Act sets the number of immigrant visas that may be issued to individuals seeking a green card each year. Immigrant visas available to “immediate relatives” of U.S. citizens are unlimited, so are always available. Immediate relatives include, parents of a U.S. citizen, spouses of a U.S. citizen and, unmarried children under…

On April 21, 2015 the Senate reached agreement that proposed immigration amendments will not be included in the list of Amendments to S. 178, the anti-human trafficking bill that has stalled the confirmation vote for Attorney General nominee Loretta Lynch. Four Senators—Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), and Sen.…

On April 15, 2015, the federal district court in the Northern District of Florida issued an order effectively permitting the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to continue issuing temporary labor certifications under the H-2B visa program through May 15, 2015. As a result, DOL will continue to process temporary labor certification applications under its 2008…

On April 27, 2015, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin premium processing for cap-subject H-1B petitions requesting premium processing, including petitions seeking an exemption for individuals with a U.S. master’s degree or higher. USCIS first announced in a news release that it would temporarily adjust its premium processing practice due to the historic…

Oral argument in Texas v USA. Click here.

It Easier to Find a Doctor to perform you medical exam for immigration purpose. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has launched an enhanced tool to find local doctors authorized to perform medical examinations for green card applicants. The improved Find a Doctor locator lets you enter your address or ZIP code to search for…

Families are waiting years to reunite with loved ones. Business cannot hire the workers they need. And millions of families and workers have no way to legalize their status. America’s legal immigration system must be reformed to meet the needs of our families and the economy. Congress must provide sufficient numbers of green cards and…

On April 1, 2015, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin accepting H-1B petitions subject to the fiscal year (FY) 2016 cap. U.S. businesses use the H-1B program to employ foreign workers in occupations that require highly specialized knowledge in fields such as science, engineering and computer programming. The congressionally mandated cap on H-1B…

If you are not a U.S. citizen and you have been charged with a crime, it is crucial for you to consult with an experience immigration attorney before making any decisions in the criminal matter, such as accepting a plea bargain or taking your case to trial. A plea offer that is a “good deal”…

USCIS announced today that the final rule permitting certain H-4 spouses to apply for employment authorization will go into effect on May 26, 2015. The rule provides work permits upon application for H-4 spouses of H-1B nonimmigrants who are on the pathway to permanent residence, but who cannot yet apply for their green cards due…