We post a practice tip from AILA member Jill Bussey at Baker and McKenzie, very useful A close review of Paragraph E of the April 2009 Visa Bulletin, issued March 9, 2009, reveals the Employment Third Preference Worldwide and Philippine cut off of March 1, 2003 was effective immediately upon…
Visa Lawyer Blog
H2A Visas – Proposed Suspension of H-2A Rules
In previosu Blog posts I reported the growing concerns from employers and workers with respect to the new H2A regs. The Department of Labor (DOL or the Department) now proposes to suspend for 9 months the H-2A regulations published on December 18, 2008, which became effective on January 17, 2009,…
B2 Extension denials – California Service Center on a Crusade?
In the past 4 weeks we have seen a strange and concerning trend from the California Service Center. Denials of Tourist visa extensions as well as student visa requests. Normally, the Service must issue a request for evidence or at least a notice of intent to deny, in order to…
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Pilot Program Extended
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced March 12, 2009 that the Immigrant Investor Pilot Program has been extended through September 30, 2009 due to yesterday’s signing of the “Fiscal 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill,” H.R. 1105. As a result of the extension of the EB5 Pilot Program, USCIS will continue…
Fast Citizenship through U.S. Military Service – Part 2
We continue the updates on the MAVNI program. Through MAVNI, the U.S. Armed Forces will recruit nationwide for health care professionals and in New York City for those fluent in certain languages. Health care professionals will have the choice between a three-year contractual active duty tour or a six-year commitment…
Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) – How to Qualify?
Ever since the military released information about MAVNI, the new Citizenship opportunity, potential applicants are anxious to learn more about this unique program. The Defense Department has authorized the U.S. Army to implement, under the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program, a test that permits the enlistment…
April 2009 Visa Bulletin – Bad Bad News!
As with the predictions about the economy that things will get worse, the Visa Bulletin for April 2009 delivers some bad news, especially for EB3 visa applicants. EB3 category shows a movement backwards of almost 2 years. Why is this happening. Here what the State Department had to say: Despite…
H1B Visas – Who received most H1B work permits in 2008?
As the H1B season coming to an end, many lawyers, like us, are busy with preparing the H1B petitions. It feels like getting ready for a race, a big race. So who is going to win the lottery this year? Last year Indian tech firms such as TCS, Infosys and…
First Child Becomes a U.S. Citizen Abroad
Martin Miles Ulsano, age 7, the child of a member of the U.S. Navy, today recited the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony held here in the Chapel of Hope. In doing so, he became the newest citizen of the United States, and the first child naturalized overseas. The…
H1B Visa Lawyer – Filing Tips and Resources
H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Petitions for FY2010 (October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010) may be filed starting April 1, 2009. Here are some tips provided by AILA. How do I get my LCA before April 1, 2009? As you are unable to submit an LCA for certification to the DOL…