Editor
Alert: DHS to Begin Screening Aliens’ Social Media Activity for Antisemitism
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin considering aliens’ antisemitic activity on social media and the physical harassment of Jewish individuals as grounds for denying immigration benefit requests. This will immediately affect aliens applying for lawful permanent resident status, foreign students and aliens affiliated with educational institutions linked to antisemitic activity. USCIS will consider…
USCIS Updates Policy to Recognize Two Biological Sexes
WASHINGTON— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify that it only recognizes two biological sexes, male and female. Consistent with the Jan. 20, 2025, executive order, Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government, USCIS is returning to its historical policy of recognizing two biological…
IMPORTANT UPDATE: New USCIS guidance will require young nonimmigrants who turn 14 while in the U.S. to “re-register” with USCIS
New USCIS guidance will require young nonimmigrants who turn 14 while in the U.S. to “re-register” with USCIS within 30 days of their birthday, even if previously registered when entering the country. This may affect, for example, F-2, H-4 dependents and young F-1/J-1 students who entered before age 14. Most nonimmigrants who entered the U.S….
H-1B Registration Fee
New $215 H-1B registration fee based on the results of the FY 2022/2023 fee review. The fee will be applied during the March 2025 registration period for the lottery.
Alert: Revised edition of Form I-129
On Jan. 17, 2025, USCIS published a revised edition of Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, (edition date: 01/17/25) reflecting combined changes associated with the recently announced H-1B modernization final rule and the H-2 modernization final rule. There is no grace period for the revised edition of Form I-129 because this revised edition is necessary for USCIS to apply…
2ND Lottery for CAP
Some good news regarding H-1B cap petitions filed in the lottery. The USCIS did not meet the regular cap numerical limitation (quota) and therefore will be conducting another lottery. The lottery will include all previously non selected registrations including the Master’s cap. Those with selected registrations will have their USCIS online accounts updated to include…
ALERT: USCIS FEE INCREASES
USCIS has increased the H-1B and I-140 Premium Processing fee from $2,500 to $2,805. This new amount is effective starting on Monday, February 26, 2024. Additionally, USCIS has increased the fees to several immigrant and nonimmigrant petitions/applications. These new fees go into effect on April 1, 2024. Form/Petition Type Current Government Filing Fees New Government…
A New Selection Process for H-1B Cap Cases will Increase the Probability of Selection
On March 2, 2024, a new rule will go into effect regarding the H-1B cap lottery and will apply to this year’s lottery. Instead of selecting cases by registration, USCIS will select registrations by the unique beneficiary. Each unique beneficiary who has a registration submitted on their behalf will be entered into the selection process…
Breaking News: Domestic H-1B Visa Stamp Renewal will be available this month!
We want to update you on a new development that will be very beneficial for your H-1B employees. Visa Stamping can now be done in the United States on a limited basis. We will provide updates as the program is expanded. USCIS will start a pilot program for renewing H-1B visa stamps while still in…
USCIS announces Employment Based Green Cards increased to 197,000 from 140,000 for FY 2023
The Department of State (DOS) currently estimates that the FY 2023 employment-based annual limit will be approximately 197,000, due to approximately 57,000 unused family-sponsored visa numbers from FY 2022 being added to the employment-based limit for FY 2023. 197,000 is higher than the statutory limit of 140,000 but below the annual limit for the…