The Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) released its time report on April 1, 2009 with updated processing times for all types of cases accepted by its Office. If you filed an appeal, please review the link below to determine the applicable processing time associated with your case. Administrative Appeals Office If…
E-Verify is a federal program in which employers may voluntarily sign up electronically to be able to identify the employment eligibility of new hires against federal databases in a matter of minutes. How it works: An employer requests that a new hire complete Form I-9, and with the information provided…
The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) conducted an investigation from May 2008 through March 2009 which showed that terrorists or criminals could steal an American citizen’s identity, use basic counterfeiting skills to create fraudulent documentation for that identity, and obtain a genuine U.S. passport from the Department of State…
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) recently released the updated version of the Form I-9 Employer Handbook. The handbook provides the basic steps involved with a new hire, including the forms that must be completed, what documents are acceptable and step-by-step directions on how to correctly complete Form…
The Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) released its time report on March 18, 2009 with updated processing times for all types of cases accepted by its Office. If you filed an appeal, please review the link below to determine the applicable processing time associated with your case. Administrative Appeals Office If…
Processing Time reports for all of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Centers were released on March 17, 2009 with processing dates as of January 31, 2009. If you filed a petition with one of the Service Centers, please review the links below to determine the applicable processing time…
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) recently released some guidance regarding the Stimulus Bill, which contains the “Employ American Worker Act” (EAWA) and its effect upon the H-1B visa petition. If the company was a recipient of the funds distributed through the Trouble Asset Relief Program (TARP), EAWA…
When a citizen of another country wishes to travel to the United States for business or pleasure, there are specific visas that are available for those individuals. The B-1, Business visa is for those interested in traveling to the U.S. to consult with business associates, to attend conventions/conferences, and to…
Tighter government oversight over the H-1B visa program and permanent employment-based immigration expected. On October 8, 2008, the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS) released a report that 13% of all H-1B petitions filed on behalf of U.S. employers are fraudulent. The same report also stated that another 7% of…
On Thursday, March 12, 2009, United States Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA) introduced the “Immigration Fraud Prevention Act of 2009.” This Act would make it a Federal crime to defraud individuals – citizens and non-citizens alike…in connection with any matter arising under the Immigration Laws. Accordingly, it…