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…
The H-1B nonimmigrant visa program is designed to allow alien beneficiaries to enter the country and begin working for a U.S. employer for a period of three years. The sponsoring employer or a new employer may renew the H-1B visa for another period of three years. In other words, the…
The Department of Labor will soon implement a new integrated online system – known as the iCert Portal – through which employers will submit applications for permanent labor certification, labor condition applications (LCAs) and other applications for immigration-related DOL programs. In addition, the agency will introduce new editions of Form…
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…
In an article published by Pamela Manson of The Salt Lake Tribune, federal prosecutions confirmed the identity of a Salt Lake City man who allegedly impersonated an immigration official ultimately stealing thousands of dollars from undocumented immigrants hoping to become legal residents. The complaint alleges that the Salt Lake City…
An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) of the Department of Labor (DOL) recently ordered the employer of an IT company to pay the alien beneficiary’s unpaid salary for the full term of the H-1B visa with interest, an amount for his monthly health, dental and vision insurance benefits, an amount for…
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has released its most updated materials for those interested in or applying for naturalization/citizenship. At the MVP Law Group, we recommend that naturalization/citizenship applicants review the Publication: The Citizens’ Almanac. The Almanac provides an in-depth look at the history of the United…