See e.g. http://www.uscis.gov/news/uscis-reaches-fy-2015-h-1b-cap, indicating that businesses
seeking highly skilled workers for professional positions requiring a bachelor's degree or higher took less than a week to
snap up all 85,000 visas available for next year.
The U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services announced Monday that the cap on
H-1B visas for the 2015 fiscal year had already been reached.
It's no surprise
that the cap was reached quickly. That's happened repeatedly in recent
years and is a key issue that highlights the need for
comprehensive immigration reform.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Friday, January 3, 2014
Adam Walsh Act
For those who may be interested, I will be speaking at an AILA Audio Seminar on the Adam Walsh Act on January 16, 2014, see below:
Date: Thursday, January 16, 2014 @ 2:00 pm (ET)
Title: Litigating Adam Walsh Act Denials in
Federal Court [Audio Seminar]
The Adam Walsh Act
disqualifies U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents with certain criminal
convictions from filing visa petitions for their family members or fiancées.
What do you do when USCIS denies your case, but your client has not been
convicted of a disqualifying crime or meets the no-risk exception? Our experts
discuss best practices and the most recent developments. Learn strategies,
tips, and tricks for litigating denials in federal court.
- What Is the Nature and Scope of Federal Court Jurisdiction?
- What About Non-reviewability?
- Exhausting Administrative Remedies
- What Are the Grounds for Relief?
- Preparing the Complaint
- A Road Map for Litigation
Faculty:
Raymond R. Bolourtchi, St. Louis, MO
Dan R. Larsson, Bend, OR
Edward F. Ramos, Miami, FL (Nonmember—Kurzban Law Firm)
Thursday, August 29, 2013
See e.g. http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/08/obamas-immigration-nuclear-option-stopping-deportations-unilaterally/279138/ and http://www.voanews.com/content/us-immigration-reform-battle-has-electoral-implications/1739199.html. CIR discussions are heating up, and it could come to a decision by mid-term elections in November.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Something Happening on CIR Front
Word apparently is that "something may be coming up" with regards to immigration reform in Congress. It would make sense that "something will happen" in time for mid-term elections in November. What that "something" is may be hard to predict. Stay tuned............
Friday, August 16, 2013
DACA
On the first year anniversary of DACA, the Brookings Institution has published a report summarizing DACA statistics. Here are the highlights.
- More than half a million people have applied: 74% approved, 1% denied, the rest under review. More than half the estimated eligible immigrants have applied.
- 30% of applicants came to the US by age five, and 75% of applicants have lived in the US for more than 10 years.
- 75% of the applicants were born in Mexico, 10% in Central America, 7% in South America, 4% in Asia and 4% in the rest of the world.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Dust in the machines?
With possible CIR on the horizon, one can only hope that Congress will allocate sufficient resources to applicable government agencies. They are currently unable to be efficient and do the job as it is. For example, today AILA
Liaison informed US DOL of continued iCERT system problems, such as the printing
of blank pages and error messages that prevent access to iCERT accounts. These are business related cases and is not good for the US economy to have delayed.
Further, yesterday it was reported that ICE's computers were down nationwide so that bonds could not be posted unless the office agreed to do it manually. So, this costs tax payer money to keep people locked up.
In addition, wait times to speak to USCIS operators about existing cases can sometimes be 800 minutes! This does not aid in getting cases resolved and adjudicated.
If all CIR achieves is to fix the current system, that would be a benefit..................
Further, yesterday it was reported that ICE's computers were down nationwide so that bonds could not be posted unless the office agreed to do it manually. So, this costs tax payer money to keep people locked up.
In addition, wait times to speak to USCIS operators about existing cases can sometimes be 800 minutes! This does not aid in getting cases resolved and adjudicated.
If all CIR achieves is to fix the current system, that would be a benefit..................
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
IMMIGRATION LAWYERS WELCOME DEFERRED ACTION ANNOUNCEMENT, WARN OF POTENTIAL FRAUD BY SO-CALLED "NOTARIOS"
IMMIGRATION LAWYERS WELCOME DEFERRED ACTION ANNOUNCEMENT, WARN OF POTENTIAL FRAUD BY SO-CALLED "NOTARIOS"
BEND, OREGON - Immigration lawyers around Bend, Oregon, welcomed the Administration's recent announcement that younger immigrants may be eligible for "Deferred Action" and work authorization. The policy will grant qualified immigrants the opportunity to live free from fear of deportation and allow them to work legally. This exciting new development brings hope to immigrants and their families. It is not, however, a permanent fix and does not grant permanent legal status to anyone.
To qualify, an individual must:
• have arrived in the U.S. when they were under the age of sixteen;
• have continuously resided in the U.S. for at least five years prior to June 15, 2012 and have been present in the U.S. on June 15, 2012;
• currently be in school, have graduated from high school, have a GED, or be an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard or the U.S. Armed Forces;
• not have been convicted of a felony offense, a "significant misdemeanor offense," three or more non-significant misdemeanors, or otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety; and
• have been under thirty-one years old on June 15, 2012
The deferred action offer will be available to those in proceedings, those with final removal orders, as well as to those who apply affirmatively.
The Administration is not yet accepting applications for this action. Within sixty days - by the middle of August - the Administration expects to issue guidance and information about how eligible individuals can request deferred action and work authorization.
If you are not in removal proceedings, DO NOT apply for deferred action at this time. Unfortunately, this policy may open the door for fraud and deception by so-called "Notarios." In the United States, notarios have no legal background and cannot legally practice law or represent you. Anyone claiming they can submit an application or charging a fee for applying for deferred action should NOT be trusted until the process has been announced by the federal government. An immigrant's case can be delayed by notarios acting in bad faith, resulting in penalties and even deportation.
"Be careful! Do not endanger your chance to qualify for this action," "Make sure to contact a licensed attorney for more information on applying for deferred action."
For more resources on this announcement, go to www.aila.org/dream. You can also visit www.ailalawyer.com to locate a qualified attorney in your area.
BEND, OREGON – Abogados de inmigración en Bend, Oregon, recibieron con aprobación el anuncio reciente de la administración del Presidente Obama que inmigrantes jóvenes serán elegibles para solicitar “Acción Diferida” y la autorización de empleo. La política concederá a inmigrantes que son elegibles la oportunidad de vivir sin el miedo de ser deportado, y también les permitirá trabajar legalmente. Este anuncio lleva esperanza a inmigrantes y sus familias. Sin embargo, no es un arregló permanente, ni concede estatus legal permanente a ninguna persona.
Para ser elegible, un individuo tendrá que demonstrar que:
• vino a los Estados Unidos siendo menor de dieciséis años de edad;
• ha residido ininterrumpidamente en los Estados Unidos durante al menos cinco años antes de la fecha de este memorándum y está presente en los Estados Unidos en la fecha de este memorándum;
• está asistiendo actualmente a la escuela, se ha graduado de la enseñanza secundaria, ha obtenido un certificado de desarrollo de educación general, o es un veterano que ha sido dado de alta con honores de los Guardacostas o las Fuerzas Armadas de los Estados
Unidos;
• no ha sido condenado por un delito mayor, un delito menor significativo, múltiples delitos menores ni representa una amenaza para la seguridad nacional o la seguridad
pública;
• no es mayor de treinta años de edad.
La acción diferida será disponible a individuos con casos en Corte de Inmigración, y también a individuos que solicitan el beneficio directamente con el Departamento de Inmigración.
La administración aun no está aceptando solicitudes para esta acción. En un plazo de sesenta días – en agosto – se espera que la administración de consejo e información sobre el proceso de solicitud para acción diferida y la autorización de empleo.
Si Usted no está en proceso de repatriación, NO solicite acción diferida en este momento. ¡Ojo con el fraude! Desafortunadamente, esta política puede abrir la puerta al fraude y decepción por “notarios.” En los Estados Unidos, los notarios no tienen la educación legal ni pueden actuar como abogado. Cualquier persona que dice que ya tiene la solicitud por acción diferida o que le pide honorarios para llenar una solicitud lo quiere estafar. El proceso para solicitar este beneficio no comienza hasta que sea anunciado por el gobierno federal. Su caso puede ser retrasado por causa de un notario, resultando en castigos, hasta deportación.
“¡Ten cuidado! No se ponga en peligro de ser descalificado por esta acción.” “Asegúrase de que Usted hable con un abogado autorizado quien puede ayudarle con la solicitud y garantizar que Usted tiene la mejor posibilidad de beneficiarse de esta acción.”
Para más información sobre el anuncio, visite a www.aila.org/dream. También puede visitar www.ailalawyer.com para encontrar un abogado autorizado en su área.
BEND, OREGON - Immigration lawyers around Bend, Oregon, welcomed the Administration's recent announcement that younger immigrants may be eligible for "Deferred Action" and work authorization. The policy will grant qualified immigrants the opportunity to live free from fear of deportation and allow them to work legally. This exciting new development brings hope to immigrants and their families. It is not, however, a permanent fix and does not grant permanent legal status to anyone.
To qualify, an individual must:
• have arrived in the U.S. when they were under the age of sixteen;
• have continuously resided in the U.S. for at least five years prior to June 15, 2012 and have been present in the U.S. on June 15, 2012;
• currently be in school, have graduated from high school, have a GED, or be an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard or the U.S. Armed Forces;
• not have been convicted of a felony offense, a "significant misdemeanor offense," three or more non-significant misdemeanors, or otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety; and
• have been under thirty-one years old on June 15, 2012
The deferred action offer will be available to those in proceedings, those with final removal orders, as well as to those who apply affirmatively.
The Administration is not yet accepting applications for this action. Within sixty days - by the middle of August - the Administration expects to issue guidance and information about how eligible individuals can request deferred action and work authorization.
If you are not in removal proceedings, DO NOT apply for deferred action at this time. Unfortunately, this policy may open the door for fraud and deception by so-called "Notarios." In the United States, notarios have no legal background and cannot legally practice law or represent you. Anyone claiming they can submit an application or charging a fee for applying for deferred action should NOT be trusted until the process has been announced by the federal government. An immigrant's case can be delayed by notarios acting in bad faith, resulting in penalties and even deportation.
"Be careful! Do not endanger your chance to qualify for this action," "Make sure to contact a licensed attorney for more information on applying for deferred action."
For more resources on this announcement, go to www.aila.org/dream. You can also visit www.ailalawyer.com to locate a qualified attorney in your area.
BEND, OREGON – Abogados de inmigración en Bend, Oregon, recibieron con aprobación el anuncio reciente de la administración del Presidente Obama que inmigrantes jóvenes serán elegibles para solicitar “Acción Diferida” y la autorización de empleo. La política concederá a inmigrantes que son elegibles la oportunidad de vivir sin el miedo de ser deportado, y también les permitirá trabajar legalmente. Este anuncio lleva esperanza a inmigrantes y sus familias. Sin embargo, no es un arregló permanente, ni concede estatus legal permanente a ninguna persona.
Para ser elegible, un individuo tendrá que demonstrar que:
• vino a los Estados Unidos siendo menor de dieciséis años de edad;
• ha residido ininterrumpidamente en los Estados Unidos durante al menos cinco años antes de la fecha de este memorándum y está presente en los Estados Unidos en la fecha de este memorándum;
• está asistiendo actualmente a la escuela, se ha graduado de la enseñanza secundaria, ha obtenido un certificado de desarrollo de educación general, o es un veterano que ha sido dado de alta con honores de los Guardacostas o las Fuerzas Armadas de los Estados
Unidos;
• no ha sido condenado por un delito mayor, un delito menor significativo, múltiples delitos menores ni representa una amenaza para la seguridad nacional o la seguridad
pública;
• no es mayor de treinta años de edad.
La acción diferida será disponible a individuos con casos en Corte de Inmigración, y también a individuos que solicitan el beneficio directamente con el Departamento de Inmigración.
La administración aun no está aceptando solicitudes para esta acción. En un plazo de sesenta días – en agosto – se espera que la administración de consejo e información sobre el proceso de solicitud para acción diferida y la autorización de empleo.
Si Usted no está en proceso de repatriación, NO solicite acción diferida en este momento. ¡Ojo con el fraude! Desafortunadamente, esta política puede abrir la puerta al fraude y decepción por “notarios.” En los Estados Unidos, los notarios no tienen la educación legal ni pueden actuar como abogado. Cualquier persona que dice que ya tiene la solicitud por acción diferida o que le pide honorarios para llenar una solicitud lo quiere estafar. El proceso para solicitar este beneficio no comienza hasta que sea anunciado por el gobierno federal. Su caso puede ser retrasado por causa de un notario, resultando en castigos, hasta deportación.
“¡Ten cuidado! No se ponga en peligro de ser descalificado por esta acción.” “Asegúrase de que Usted hable con un abogado autorizado quien puede ayudarle con la solicitud y garantizar que Usted tiene la mejor posibilidad de beneficiarse de esta acción.”
Para más información sobre el anuncio, visite a www.aila.org/dream. También puede visitar www.ailalawyer.com para encontrar un abogado autorizado en su área.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
H-1B Cap Count
October 28, 2011 H-1B Cap Count
As of October 28, 2011, approximately 49,200 H-1B cap-subject petitions were receipted. Additionally, USCIS has receipted 20,000 H-1B petitions for aliens with advanced degrees.
As of October 28, 2011, approximately 49,200 H-1B cap-subject petitions were receipted. Additionally, USCIS has receipted 20,000 H-1B petitions for aliens with advanced degrees.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Visa Bulletin for August 2011
VISA BULLETIN AUGUST 2011
Family- Sponsored | All Chargeability Areas | CHINA- mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
F1 | 01MAY04 | 01MAY04 | 01MAY04 | 08MAR93 | 15APR96 |
F2A | 22JUL08 | 22JUL08 | 22JUL08 | 01JUN08 | 22JUL08 |
F2B | 01JUL03 | 01JUL03 | 01JUL03 | 01OCT92 | 01DEC00 |
F3 | 22AUG01 | 22AUG01 | 22AUG01 | 15NOV92 | 01APR92 |
F4 | 08APR00 | 08APR00 | 08APR00 | 08MAR96 | 15MAY88 |
Employment- | All Charge-ability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA- mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
1st | C | C | C | C | C |
2nd | C | 15APR07 | 15APR07 | C | C |
3rd | 01NOV05 | 08JUL04 | 01JUN02 | 01NOV05 | 01NOV05 |
Other Workers | 01MAY05 | 22APR03 | 01JUN02 | 01MAY05 | 01MAY05 |
4th | C | C | C | C | C |
Certain Religious Workers | C | C | C | C | C |
5th | C | C | C | C | C |
Dan Larsson to Speak at City Club of Central Oregon on July 21, 2011
For those who may be interested, I will be speaking on July 21, 2011 at the City Club of Central Oregon on Illegal Immigration/Deportation. For more details, see e.g. http://www.cityclubofcentraloregon.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=70:this-month-in-city-club-july-2011&catid=34:2011.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
On the Way to National ID
See below summary of the legislation introduced this week. We are clearly on our way towards a national ID system……….
************************************
Summary of the "Legal Workforce Act"
On June 14, 2011, Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) introduced H.R. 2164, the Legal Workforce Act, which would mandate a new Employment Eligibility Verification System (EEVS) nationwide within 2 years.
Who must use EEVS and when must they comply?
- Mandatory for all employers nationwide in 2-year expedited phase-in. The largest employers must use EEVS within 6 months of enactment. The smallest employers with 1 to19 employees must comply within 2 years. Status quo maintained until the effective dates take effect. Early compliance mandated within 30 days for employers already required to use E-Verify.
- Recruiters, referrers and union halls (including union halls that take no fee) are required to use EEVS within 1 year of enactment.
- Agriculture: Employers using seasonal workers for agriculture or services (as defined in the H-2A program) must use EEVS within 3 years from enactment. Workers from past seasons are not deemed new hires and need not be reverified.
• Re-verification: Generally not required but reverification is mandatory for:
- All federal, state, and local government employees
- All employees with a limited period of work authorization
- Employees at certain federal and state contracts working in the U.S.
- Employees at certain critical infrastructure sites
- Employers can voluntarily choose to reverify their workforce
When must employers verify job applicants? The bill authorizes employers to make offers of employment conditioned upon final clearance by EEVS. By muddying the waters on current law which forbids any kind of pre-screening by employers this will invite employer abuse and discrimination. The bill includes no language prohibiting discriminatory practices.
Safe harbor protections for employers. Broad relief from liability from civil or criminal suit granted to employers for actions taken in good faith reliance on EEVS, unless there is clear and convincing evidence that the employer knew the employee was unauthorized. There is also relief from substantive and technical violations if timely corrected.
Penalty and enforcement mechanisms.
- Felony crime created with fines and prison time for knowing misuse of a social security number or other identification. Enhanced penalty for aggravated identity theft if committed in connection with this newly created crime.
- Ten-fold increase in fines as well as heightened penalties for employers but with a waiver for violators who acted in good faith.
Limited protections for workers. Employee remedy is limited to suit solely under the Federal Tort Claims Act or injunctive relief. Class actions are prohibited. No relief against employers.
Major expansion of SSA's enforcement duties will burden SSA and result in issuance of more compliance letters
- Multiple use of SSA numbers. SSA must send notice letters regarding employees who hold more than one job during the year if there is a pattern of unusual multiple use. SSA shall also issue notices to employers submitting one or more mismatched wage and tax statements or corrected wage and tax statements.
Blocks on social security numbers. SSA is authorized to block a social security number if it is used unusually multiple times. SSA is required to block the SS number for noncitizens whose visas have expired and other categories of noncitizens. An individual worker can block the use of his or her number if its use was not authorized.
Preemption. The bill preempts states and localities from passing employment verification laws and policies, but grants states and localities a broad exception to the preemption rule by permitting them to use business licensing laws and similar laws as a penalty for failure to use EEVS. This will invite continued state/local regulation in this area and result in diverse and likely conflicting laws.
Biometric pilot program shall be launched within 18 months of enactment that uses private sector companies that would maintain their own databases and interact with federal databases. Participation in the pilot program is voluntary for employers but mandatory for new employees hired by those employers.
More onerous documentation requirements. The bill eliminates many approved documents showing identity and work authorization.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Visa Bulletin for July 2011
VISA BULLETIN JULY 2011
Family- Sponsored | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA- mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
F1 | 01MAY04 | 01MAY04 | 01MAY04 | 08MAR93 | 15APR96 |
F2A | 22MAR08 | 22MAR08 | 22MAR08 | 15FEB08 | 22MAR08 |
F2B | 01JUL03 | 01JUL03 | 01JUL03 | 22SEP92 | 22SEP00 |
F3 | 15JUL01 | 15JUL01 | 15JUL01 | 15NOV92 | 22MAR92 |
F4 | 08MAR00 | 08MAR00 | 08MAR00 | 01MAR96 | 15MAY88 |
Employment- | All Charge-ability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA- mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
1st | C | C | C | C | C |
2nd | C | 08MAR07 | 08MAR07 | C | C |
3rd | 08OCT05 | 01JUL04 | 01MAY02 | 01JUL05 | 08OCT05 |
Other Workers | 22NOV04 | 22APR03 | 01MAY02 | 22NOV04 | 22NOV04 |
4th | C | C | C | C | C |
Certain Religious Workers | C | C | C | C | C |
5th | C | C | C | C | C |
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