Military Accessions in the National Interest – A Direct Path to Citizenship
Giselle Carson Oct 15, 2014 in Immigration News
The Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program has been renewed through 2015. The program allows certain branches of the U.S. military to hire legal non-immigrants, such as international students and those granted deferred action, whose skills are deemed vital to the national interest. Vital skills include fluency in certain high-priority languages – from Albanian to Yoruba – or holding certain medical degrees such as dentists, surgeons, psychiatrists and other health professionals. An Army’s study of […]
Continue ReadingUSCIS Provides Needed Guidance on H-3 Nonimmigrant Trainees
Giselle Carson Oct 15, 2014 in Immigration News
The H-3 nonimmigrant visa category allows employers to petition for foreign nationals to come to the U.S. on a temporary basis for up to two years to receive training in a specific field. Considering the current lack of new H-1B visas, the H-3 is a good alternative for certain employers to bring qualified workers to the U.S. Over time, USICS has issued multiples guidances on the requirements to apply for H-3 status. The current guidance consolidates all previous […]
Continue Reading“Our company,” instead of Employer’s Name, on PERM Notice Proves Insufficient
Giselle Carson Sep 15, 2014 in Immigration News
During the first step of the “green card” process, an employer is required to post a “Notice of Filing” announcing their intent to file a labor certification. On August 28, 2014, the Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals (BALCA) held that an employer’s name must be explicitly stated on the Notice of Filing. In Matter of Tera Technologies, Inc., the employer argued that it complied with the regulations, because it used the phrase “our company” on its notice and that […]
Continue ReadingThe U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the launch of an new App, Mobile Passport Control (MCP), intends to expedite traveler’s entry process. MCP will allow eligible travelers to submit passport and customs declaration information via a smartphone or tablet before CBP inspection. A pilot program at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta is underway. It is expected to expand to other airports later this year. For more information, please click here.
Continue ReadingOSC Weighs in on Employer Over- Documenting on the Form I-9
Giselle Carson Sep 15, 2014 in Immigration News
In a request for guidance, OSC advised that it is not aware of any publicly available guidance on steps an employer should take if they accepted too many documents during the I-9 process. OSC noted that an employer may violate the anti-discrimination provision of the INA if it requests more or different documents than required, or rejects “reasonably genuine-looking documents.” Whether a violation occurs depends on the reason for the request. To read the OSC’s guidance, […]
Continue ReadingIf you are applying for a nonimmigrant or immigrant visa in September, please check the new processing fee schedule. On September 12, 2014, visa application fees for certain visas changed. Fees will not be adjusted for those who have already paid. All visa applicants must pay the amount in effect the day they pay, with the exception of Immigrant Visa application processing fees paid to the National Visa Center (NVC), which will be effective as of […]
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