U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Serves 180 I-9 Audit Notices

March 2, 2010 - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is issuing Notices of Inspection (NOIs) to 180 businesses in Louisiana Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee. The notices alert business owners that ICE will be inspecting their hiring records to determine whether or not they are complying with employment eligibility verification laws and regulations (I-9).

Employers are required to complete and retain a Form I-9 for each individual they hire for employment in the United States. The form requires employers to review and record the individuals identity document(s) and determine whether the documents reasonably appear to be genuine and related to that individual.

pdf [Read the USICE Memo on Audit Notifications]

USCIS To Accept FY2011 H-1B Visa Applications Starting April 1, 2010

March 8, 2010 - The USCIS announces that H-1B visa petitions may be filed starting April 1, 2010. The fiscal year cap (numerical limitations on H-1B petitions) for FY2011 is 65,000. An additional 20,000 is allocated for petitions filed on behalf of aliens who have earned a U.S. masters degree or higher. H-1B visa petitions for FY2011 may be filed for employment starting October 1, 2010.

Certain petitions are exempt from the H-1B visa Caps. Exempt from the cap are H-1B petitions filed on behalf of aliens who will work at institutions of higher education or related or affiliated non-profit entities, non-profit research organizations or governmental research organizations. Also exempt are petitions to extend or amend an existing H-1B visa status; change employers, accept concurrent employment or change the terms of existing employment.

pdf [Read The USCIS Memo on the FY 2011 H-1B Visa Cap]

Greece Now Designated As Member of the Visa Waiver Program

March 9, 2010 - Greek nationals (Citizens of Greece) are now permitted to enter the United States without a visa under Visa Waiver Program (VWP). With this announcement, Greece joins the 35 nations already participating in the VWP established to help eliminate unnecessary barriers to travel and made permanent on October 30, 2000. Like VWP travelers from other countries, Greek citizens will be required to apply for an Electronic System Travel Authorization (ESTA) through the Web-based system. Greek citizens will be able to visit the United States without visas in approximately 30 days from application. The visa waiver program permits recipients to stay in the United States for up to 90 days. U.S. employment is not authorized.

pdf [Read The Memo on Greece Visa Waiver Programs]

Humanitarian Parole Immigration and Employment Authorization Update

March 17 2010 - The USCIS has issued a Fact Sheet regarding applications for Humanitarian Parole into the United States for otherwise inadmissible aliens. The Humanitarian Parole permits otherwise inadmissible individuals and those who do not qualify for visas to enter the United States temporarily due to urgent humanitarian reasons. Parole permits beneficiaries to remain in the United States and apply for work authorization for the duration.

Humanitarian Parole may be requested medical reasons (Medical Parole) and other compelling reasons that must be spelled out in the application and supported with documentation The USCIS Fact Sheet provides answers to the most common questions as well as the application process for the Humanitarian Parole. It also describes the period for which parole may be approved, work authorization and travel during the parole period.

pdf [Read The USCIS Fact Sheet on Humanitarian Parole Applications]

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