Category: Uncategorized

As the world becomes more connected, international students in the U.S. often wish to travel abroad, whether for leisure, family matters, or other reasons. If you are an F-1 student on post-completion OPT or STEM OPT, you may be wondering about the nuances of traveling while maintaining your status. Here, we delve into the key…

Lawsuit Filed by Former F-1 Students from India Against DHS for Visa Denials Based on Employers’ Fraud: Former F-1 students from India are challenging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. The students allege that the DHS wrongfully deemed them inadmissible due to their association…

DHS Announces Proposed Pilot Program: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) seeks public comments on a proposed pilot program. This initiative allows certain employers, not part of E-Verify, to use remote I-9 document inspection procedures similar to those authorized for E-Verify-enrolled employers. EAD 540-Day Extension Eligibility: An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is a work permit…

On July 1, 2022, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a groundbreaking Policy Memorandum that opens a new pathway for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) beneficiaries to travel outside the United States and potentially qualify for lawful permanent residency. This article is a response to inconsistencies in TPS protocols and aims to address the…

USCIS Completes Second Random Selection from Previously Submitted Registrations for FY2024 H-1B CAP USCIS has selected 77,600 registrations in the second round of selection for the FY2024 H-1B cap from previously submitted registrations. This will significantly impact those waiting for a chance to file an H-1B cap-subject petition. ICE Reinstates Mayorkas Enforcement Priorities and Doyle…

Losing a job can be a daunting experience for anyone, but for nonimmigrant workers in the United States, the situation can be even more complex. Many nonimmigrant workers may not be aware of the options available to them following the termination of their employment, leading them to believe they have no choice but to leave…

We have some important updates to share with you regarding the H-1B visa cap lottery and changes in the I-9 verification protocol as well as the use of compelling circumstances EAD. 2nd H-1B Visa Cap Lottery Announcement: USCIS has recently determined that it will need to select additional registrations from the previously submitted electronic registrations…

**Advance Copy: USCIS Notice of a New Version of Form I-9** USCIS has released a new version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. Major changes include the introduction of a checkbox to verify that an employee’s Form I-9 documentation was examined using a DHS-authorized alternative procedure. The updated Form I-9 is available for use from…

“Automatic Visa Revalidation” procedure often applies to non-immigrant aliens who have previously used a visa for admission into the United States and are seeking readmission. Two scenarios can occur: a) They may be readmitted under the same nonimmigrant classification as indicated on their expired visa. b) They may be readmitted under a different nonimmigrant classification…

USCIS and Department of Homeland Security The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has expanded the list of academic degrees eligible for the F-1 STEM optional practical training (OPT) program, now including eight new fields of study. Please note, the EB-1 India and EB-3 Worldwide (excluding EB-3 India and China) categories will experience significant retrogression in…