Just days after USCIS began accepting H-1B visa applications for the 2013 fiscal year, 22,323 of the 65,000 cap had already been reached. This is nearly twice the number of petitions that were received at this same time last year. Though this application rate is...
Year: 2012
Judges Who Preside Over Immigration Related Employer Sanctions Cases Have a New Chief
Robin M. Stutman, Esq. was appointed as the new Chief Administrative Hearing Officer of OCAHO. Ms. Stutman had been the agency's former general counsel since 2009. Previously, she worked for the DOJ as a special litigation counsel and trial attorney. OCAHO is...
Legally Married Same Sex Couples File Suit Over Denial of Spousal Immigration Benefits
The suit alleges violations of the Defense of Marriage Act and Equal Protection Rights. A 1996 immigration law prevents the government from recognizing same sex marriages and all of the benefits derived from a legal marriage, including a pathway to legal permanent...
A New Look to USCIS’ Notice of Action Form
The new Form I-797C, Notice of Action, will be printed on plain bond paper which represents significant printing savings but also as important the form clearly states that "THIS NOTICE DOES NOT GRANT ANY IMMIGRATION STATUS OR BENEFIT" on the top of the form. All...
April 2 is the First Day of H-1B Filing for 2013
Each year, the U.S. government allows an annual cap of 65,000 new H-1B visas with an additional 20,000 allotted to U.S. masters degree professionals. The petitions can be filed six months in advance of the fiscal year and start of authorized work date of October 1,...
Shareholder Giselle Carson Publishes Another Article In Florida Bar Journal
Immigration and business attorney, Giselle Carson published an article on international business in the Spring edition of the International Law Quarterly, published by the Florida Bar Journal. Ms. Carson examines the positive impact of expanding the U.S. economy and...
Latest Issue of the ILQ Features Article by Yours Truly
In the latest issue of the International Law Quarterly, a publication of the Florida Bar International Law Section, is an article authored by yours truly! "Creating Jobs and Strengthening the U.S. Economy Through the E-Visa" appears in the recently released ILQ...
Early Planning Needed for London’s Filing
The summer months are usually very busy at any U.S. embassy or consulate, and this summer the London Embassy's operations will certainly be busy because of the 2012 Summer Olympics. The U.S. Embassy in London issued a notification advising that visa services will be...