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USCIS has begun using a streamlined process for new refugees admitted into the United States! They have automated the Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) process, so they can start working in this country in around 30 days, instead of months. The USCIS News Alert states, “All individuals admitted into the United States as refugees on or after Dec. 10, 2023, will receive EADs pursuant to this new process.” 

Review the USCIS News Alert for more details: USCIS Streamlines Process for Refugee Employment Authorization Documents 

 
Source of Information: 

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MVP Law Group, P.A. makes available the information and materials in this forum for informational purposes only. The information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice or any contractual obligations. Further, the use of this site, and the sending or receipt of this information, does not create an attorney-client relationship between us. Therefore, your communication with us through this forum will not be considered as privileged or confidential.

1 – If an employee leaves prior to the end of their contract on H-1B, can we recoup the expenses we paid to sponsor them for the H-1B, like the USCIS filing fees and legal fees? H-1B employees may not be subjected to penalties for leaving the sponsoring employer. Employers may not recover their normal business expenses from an H-1B employee. The Department of Labor’s regulations explicitly prohibit an employer’s recovery of some of the H-1B petition-related filing fees: $460.00; $500.00; $750.00 or $1500.00; along with legal fees paid to an Attorney to prepare and file the case with the USCIS. An employer may recover the filing fees paid for any H4 dependent filing fees and legal fees associated with the H4 filing. 

  
2 – What happens to my H-1B employee if I terminate them prior to the end of their validity period? The H-1B employee will have a period of 60 days, a grace period, in which to find another employer willing to sponsor their H-1B (i.e., an H-1B transfer), or they may change status to another status (if eligible), or they may decide to leave the United States. If they decide to leave the United States, then you as employer are responsible for covering their reasonable expenses associated with the trip home (i.e. covering airfare). 

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The Department of State has released its latest Visa Bulletin.

Click the link to view the April 2024 Visa Bulletin

The monthly Visa Bulletin has changed. The bulletin now summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during the reported month for: “Application Final Action Dates” (consistent with prior Visa Bulletins) and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center using Consular Processing (outside of the US) or file on their own with USCIS Form I-485 (within the US).

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On Friday, March 8, 2024, USCIS announced that it has reached the H-2B cap for the second half of fiscal year 2024. March 7, 2024 is now the “final receipt date” for cap-subject H-2B worker requesting employment start dates before April 1, 2024. The “final receipt date” is the date on which USCIS determined that it has received enough cap-subject petitions to reach the limit of H-2B workers for the first half FY2024. USCIS continues to accept petitions that are exempt from the congressionally mandated H-2B cap.

The exceptions are listed below:

• Current H-2B workers in the U.S. petitioning to extend their stay and, if applicable, change the terms of their employment or change their employers;

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We wanted to find a new way to engage our reader base. Every other Friday, we will post the ten (10) best/most frequently asked questions received during the week from our h1bvisalawyerblog, Facebook, and Twitter readers. We will answer those questions and provide the Q&A on our H-1B Visa Lawyer Blog.

If you have a burning question, are seeking assistance with a difficult immigration related case, wish to discuss your views on Comprehensive Immigration Reform, DREAMers, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, priority dates, the monthly visa bulletin, adjustment applications, etc., please contact us by submitting your question/comment/viewpoint in our comment box provided on our H-1B Visa Lawyer Blog.

Our next “Q & A Forum” will take place this Friday, March 15, 2024. Act now and submit your questions!

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 United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be holding a national webinar, “USCIS Online Filing Engagement“, Thursday, March 28, 2024, between 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm (Eastern). This webinar covers how to file Forms I-129 (H-1B Petition) and I-907 (Premium Processing Service) online. USCIS representatives will also give best practice and tips and answer some questions.

Review the USCIS Upcoming National Engagements Web Page for more details: USCIS Online Filing Engagement 

  
To Register for this webinar:  

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The USCIS initial registration period for the fiscal year (FY) 2025 H-1B cap petitions opened on Wednesday, March 6th and runs through Friday, March 22, 2024, at noon Eastern. Prospective petitioners and their representatives must use a USCIS online account to register. The H-1B selection process will only be run on properly submitted online registrations from this initial registration period.  The USCIS stated that the H-1B registration fee for FY 2025 registrations will be $10 and will not increase. 

For more details, review the USCIS Web page at H-1B Electronic Registration Process! 

 
Source of Information: 

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The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be holding a national webinar, “National Asylum Engagement” on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, between 2:00 to 3:00 pm (Eastern). The webinar (Stakeholder Engagement) will include USCIS representatives who will give an update on the asylum program! They will also have a Q&A session at the end of the engagement on this subject.  

Review the USCIS Upcoming National Engagements Web Page for more details: National Asylum Engagement 

 
How to join this webinar: 

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The USCIS updated forms listed below will take effect April 1, 2024. A new USCIS rule which also goes into effect April 1st, normally would allow a grace period but because of the new fee structure there will be none and the new 04/1/24 editions for certain forms must be used. 

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