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USCIS Resumes Premium Processing and Reopens Field Offices in Phases

Jun 1, 2020
4 min

USCIS Resumes Premium Processing and Reopens Field Offices in Phases

On March 20, USCIS announced the temporary suspension of Premium Processing for all Form I-129 and I-140 petitions due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). On June 1, 2020, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that it will resume premium processing for Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker and Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, in phases over the next month. Watch our video for more details and recommendations on using Premium Processing for e

What Can a Visa Holder Do if It’s Impossible to Leave US Due to Covid-19 Before Lawful Status

Apr 13, 2020
3 min

What Can a Visa Holder Do if It’s Impossible to Leave US Due to Covid-19 Before Lawful Status

If a person in non-immigrant status in the US does not leave the country before his or her period of authorization expires, he or she would be considered out of status, and may begin accruing unlawful presence in the United States. However, what if the alien cannot leave the US due to travel restrictions in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic? The following information is an excerpt from a USCIS email on this topic dated April 13, 2020. DHS.gov (www.dhs.gov) is your online so

How Immigration Issues are Affected by COVID-19: Students, Detainees, and Travel Ban

Mar 16, 2020
6 min

How Immigration Issues are Affected by COVID-19: Students, Detainees, and Travel Ban

While the entire world is feeling the effect of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), individuals who are affected by immigration may have particularly pressing questions as to whether their cases will continue to be adjudicated, detentions will be made, foreign students will be able to remain on a student visa, and the effects of the travel ban on their plans. As changes to this situation are made hourly, please refer to the links in this blog for the latest information. To find

ATTENTION: New Form I-9 Released On January 31, 2020 by USCIS

Feb 5, 2020
3 min

ATTENTION: New Form I-9 Released On January 31, 2020 by USCIS

Department of Homeland Security | DHS.gov On January 31, 2020, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released the newly updated Form I-9. This new version contains minor changes to the form and its instructions. Employers should begin using this updated form as of Jan. 31, 2020. All U.S. employers must properly complete the Form I-9 for each individual they hire for employment in the United States. This includes citizens and noncitizens. Both employee

Listen to our Podcast on Strategies for Responding to Requests for Evidence (RFEs) from USCIS

Nov 7, 2019
2 min

Listen to our Podcast on Strategies for Responding to Requests for Evidence (RFEs) from USCIS

Join Beverly Hills immigration attorneys, Jennifer Grady, Esq. and Anthony Mance, Esq. as they share tips and insight into how to prepare a winning RFE response that will stand out and position your application for an approval. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released new data confirming that employment-based immigration applications have seen a sharp increase in Requests for Evidence (RFEs) and denials since fiscal year (FY) 2018, which was when Preside

USCIS Continues to make Marijuana Activity a “Conditional Bar” to Obtaining U.S. Citizenship

May 3, 2019
5 min

USCIS Continues to make Marijuana Activity a “Conditional Bar” to Obtaining U.S. Citizenship

Photo by Sora Shimazaki from Pexels Thirty-three US states, The District of Columbia, and at least 26 countries around the world have legalized the production and use of cannabis for medical, and, in some jurisdictions, for recreational use. This wave of legalization has led to a growing and dynamic industry that employs thousands of individuals and has reduced the levels of criminalization of marijuana-related crimes. Despite this changing landscape however, United States C

Canadian Citizens Will No Longer Be Permitted To Extend or Renew L-1 Status at the US Border

May 3, 2019
3 min

Canadian Citizens Will No Longer Be Permitted To Extend or Renew L-1 Status at the US Border

Photo by Hermes Rivera on Unsplash United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently implemented a major policy change to the adjudication process of L-1 Intracompany Transferee petitions filed by Canadian citizens. Beginning in March of 2019, CBP officers at all ports of entry and pre-clearance facilities ceased adjudicating L-1 petitions for extension or renewal, including L-1A blanket petitions. CBP continues to adjudicate all new L-1 petitions for Canadian citiz

Is Your Company Prepared for an I-9 Audit? What to Expect During and After a Visit from ICE or DHS

Feb 22, 2019
7 min

Is Your Company Prepared for an I-9 Audit? What to Expect During and After a Visit from ICE or DHS

Department of Homeland Security | DHS.gov While immigration enforcement and oversight have occurred under the purview of all past presidents, the Trump Administration has publicly made them a leading policy priority. Immigration raids and detentions at the border are the most visible aspects of this policy, but administrative oversight of employment documentation has also increased and will likely have the greatest impact on the majority of employers. One area where this is

USCIS Increases Premium Processing Fee by 15% on October 1, 2018

Sep 5, 2018
2 min

USCIS Increases Premium Processing Fee by 15% on October 1, 2018

On August 31, 2018, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will adjust the premium processing fee for Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker and Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, beginning on October 1, 2018, to “more effectively adjudicate petitions and maintain effective service to petitioners. ” These forms are typically used for H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, H-3, L-1, O-1, O-2, P-1, P-1S, P-2, P-2S, P-3, P-3S, Q-1 or R-1 petitions.

USCIS Temporarily Suspends Premium Processing for Fiscal Year 2019 H-1B Cap Petitions

Sep 5, 2018
2 min

USCIS Temporarily Suspends Premium Processing for Fiscal Year 2019 H-1B Cap Petitions

As of April 2, 2018, USCIS began accepting H-1B petitions subject to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 cap. This cap was reached in just four days, by April 6, 2018. USCIS has temporarily suspended premium processing for all FY 2019 cap-subject petitions, including petitions seeking an exemption for individuals with a U.S. master’s degree or higher. This suspension is expected to last until Sept. 10, 2018. During this time, USCIS will continue to accept premium processing requests f

Clarification of STEM OPT Extension Reporting Responsibilities and Training Obligations

Aug 23, 2018
3 min

Clarification of STEM OPT Extension Reporting Responsibilities and Training Obligations

Certain F-1 students who receive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion optional practical training (OPT). On August 17, 2018, USCIS updated the Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students (STEM OPT) page of its website to clarify the reporting responsibilities for participation in the STEM OPT program. Students and employers must report material changes to the Designated School

Conduct Your Own I-9 Audit Before ICE Does: 6 Tips for Avoiding Costly Mistakes

Aug 22, 2018
9 min

Conduct Your Own I-9 Audit Before ICE Does: 6 Tips for Avoiding Costly Mistakes

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted a two-phase nationwide operation in which I-9 audit notices were served to more than 5,200 businesses around the country since January 2018. A notice of inspection (NOI) informs business owners that ICE is going to audit their hiring records to determine whether they are complying with existing law. During the second phase of the operation from July 16 to 20, 2018, HSI served 2,7

Immigration As Usual? Moving Forward in Times of Uncertainty

Nov 16, 2017
12 min

Immigration As Usual? Moving Forward in Times of Uncertainty

by Anthony Mance, Esq. and Jennifer Grady, Esq. Recent announcements by the Trump Administration declaring enhanced vetting of current immigration cases; talks in Congress about major proposed changes to the immigration laws; and constant media discourse regarding the future of DACA, the Travel Ban, employment-based visas, and increased waiting times, may have the effect of chilling immigration applications. However, with the right information, and a plan that takes these ch

USCIS Will Now Require Interviews for Adjustment of Status to Permanent Residency Applications (I-48

Aug 30, 2017
2 min

USCIS Will Now Require Interviews for Adjustment of Status to Permanent Residency Applications (I-48

According to the USCIS website: Department of Homeland Security | DHS.gov WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin expanding in-person interviews for certain immigration benefit applicants whose benefit, if granted, would allow them to permanently reside in the United States. This change complies with Executive Order 13780, “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States,” and is part of the agency’s comprehensive st

Visa Options for Fashion Models (O-1B, H-1B3, and P-3 Visas)

Aug 14, 2017
3 min

Visa Options for Fashion Models (O-1B, H-1B3, and P-3 Visas)

Do you dream of walking down the runway at New York Fashion Week? Are you interested in becoming a brand ambassador for a prestigious luxury brand? Whether you’ve mastered the catwalk or discovered your niche in commercial modelling, several visa options are available depending on your level of achievement and reason for coming to the U.S. Fashion models typically enter the U.S. in one of two ways— the O-1B visa (for Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement) or

O-1B Visa for Artists or Actors with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement in the Arts Industries

Jul 27, 2017
3 min

O-1B Visa for Artists or Actors with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement in the Arts Industries

Calling all talented artists and actors! Are you an actor trying to make a breakthrough in Hollywood? Or perhaps you are a renowned violinist, famous choreographer, or an award-winning pastry chef? If you excel in your field of arts or the motion picture industry, you may be eligible for the O-1B visa. The O-1B visa is for individuals with an extraordinary ability in the arts or extraordinary achievement in motion picture or television industry who will perform in the U.S

Q-1 Visa is an Opportunity to Share Your Culture through an Employer’s International Exchange

Jul 27, 2017
2 min

Q-1 Visa is an Opportunity to Share Your Culture through an Employer’s International Exchange

Are you interested in sharing your home country’s cultures and traditions while working in the U.S.? Are you an employer interested in obtaining approval for an exchange program in your company so that you can hire international employees on a Q-1 visa? If so, the Q-1 visa may be available to meet your company’s specific needs for international employees. Known as the “Disney visa” because it was originally designed by Disney to meet their need for “cultural representatives

Internationally Recognized Professional Athletes, Gamers, and Entertainers are Eligible for P-1 Visa

Jul 27, 2017
4 min

Internationally Recognized Professional Athletes, Gamers, and Entertainers are Eligible for P-1 Visa

Photo courtesy of http://lat.ms/2vEE8z5 The P-1 visa is a viable alternative for athletes and entertainers who may not meet the “extraordinary ability or achievement” requirement of the O-1 visas. If you are an internationally recognized athlete coming to the U.S. to perform individually or as part of a team, you may be eligible for the P-1A visa. Professional athletes from a wide range of sports including soccer, taekwondo, and online gamers receive P-1A visas. If you are a

Visa Options for Entrepreneurs and Recent Grads: H-1B Visa through Global Entrepreneur in Residence

Jul 27, 2017
4 min

Visa Options for Entrepreneurs and Recent Grads: H-1B Visa through Global Entrepreneur in Residence

In the absence of an official “startup visa”, and in lieu of the International Entrepreneur Parole Rule, which has now been postponed until March 2018, organizations and programs exist that help entrepreneurs from around the world establish their businesses in the U.S. These programs are generally geared towards assisting international students who have developed a technology or innovation with launching a start-up in the U.S. that creates high-paying jobs. H-1B Visa through

P-2 and P-3 Visas for Performers, Artists, and Entertainers in Reciprocal Exchange Programs

Jul 25, 2017
3 min

P-2 and P-3 Visas for Performers, Artists, and Entertainers in Reciprocal Exchange Programs

If you are coming to the U.S. to perform, teach, or coach under a reciprocal exchange program or a culturally unique program, you may be eligible for a P-2 or P-3 visa. P-2: Performer or Group Performing under Reciprocal Exchange Program The P-2 visa is available for individual and group performers coming to the U.S. to perform as part of a reciprocal exchange program between an organization in the U.S. and an organization in another country. Essential support personnel such

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