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News & EventsSecurity Enhancement Update: House of Representatives Passes Bill to Tighten Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
Previously we wrote that the White House planned to implement new security enhancements for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Recently there have been updates regarding what these security enhancements would entail. With a 407-19 vote, the House passed legislation...
Why apply for U.S. citizenship?
Gaining U.S. citizenship and the ability to remain in the U.S. is a very present and real concern for foreign nationals. What is the difference between “naturalization” and “permanent residence”? Most U.S. born nationals confuse naturalization with U.S. permanent...
USCIS Visa statistics for L-1B visa
For the Fiscal year 2015, USCIS has received a total of 13,626 I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant worker for Intracompany Transferee with Specialized Knowledge (L-1B) petitions. Of the 13,626 petitions, approximately 76% (10,368) petitions were approved and...
Possible Security Enhancements for VWP travelers after Paris attacks
On Monday, December 7th, the White House announced plans to implement new security measures for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), following the terrorist attacks in Paris last last month. Currently, 38 countries are members of the VWP, which allows nationals from these...
Form I-9: Useful Information on the basics of I-9 completion and employer obligations
日本語版ページはこちら When a U.S. citizen or noncitizen is hired by a U.S. employer for employment in the United States, both the employee and employer must fill out Form I-9, which is used for verifying the identity and employment authorization of individuals. Form I-9 is...
ICE Releases Worksite Enforcement FY 2014 Annual Report
ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) released the Worksite Enforcement FY2014 Annual Report that includes information on worksite enforcement investigations, criminal and administrative employee and employer arrests, and the fines assessed and collected each...
Breaking News on L-1 BLANKET I-94 Validity Dates
The following is a summary taken from a memorandum issued by the AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association) and DOS (U.S. Department of State) Liaison Committee on October 8, 2015. The U.S. Department of State Visa Office (VO) clarified its current policy...
USCIS Implements Acceptance of Adjustment Applications from Filing-Eligible Foreign Nationals in November
USCIS has confirmed that it will accept adjustment applications beginning in November from foreign nationals with a priority date that makes them eligible for application filing according to the State Department’s November Visa Bulletin. Under the reformed Visa...
Delays in Processing Times for USCIS
Currently, it appears that United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is experiencing delays in processing times for nonimmigrant visa applications. According to processing time reports as of August 31, 2015, H-1B applications filed at the Vermont...
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) OPT (Optional Practical Training) Extension Proposed Rule
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has just released its proposed rule for extending optional practical training for international students working in the U.S. The proposed rule will give international students who study Science, Technology, Engineering and...