USCIS is extending the previously announced temporary suspension of premium processing for cap-subject H-1B petitions and, beginning Sept. 11, 2018, will be expanding this temporary suspension to include certain additional H-1B petitions. We expect these suspensions will last until Feb. 19, 2019, and will notify the public via uscis.gov before resuming premium processing for these petitions.

While H-1B premium processing is suspended, we will reject any Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing

On April 23, 2004, USCIS issued a memorandum titled “The Significance of a Prior CIS Approval of a Nonimmigrant Petition in the Context of a Subsequent Determination Regarding Eligibility for Extension of Petition Validity.” This memorandum directed adjudicators, when adjudicating petition extensions involving the same parties and underlying facts as the initial petition, to defer to prior determinations of eligibility, except in certain, limited circumstances.

On August 17, 2015, USCIS issued

Limiting legal immigration: “Protecting American Jobs and Workers by Strengthening the Integrity of Foreign Worker Visa Programs”

Modernizing & Streamlining our Legal Immigration System for the 21st Century

Attorneys at Guerra & Johnson are participating in a stakeholder engagement on Wednesday, Feb. 10, from 2 to 3 p.m. (Eastern) to discuss the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) final rule, “Enhancing Opportunities.” This is one of the recommendations published in the White House Report for Modernizing & Streamlining our Legal Immigration System for the 21st Century.

SCHEDULED EXPIRATION OF TWO EMPLOYMENT VISA CATEGORIES
Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR): Pursuant to Section 132 of Public Law 114-53, the non-minister special immigrant program expires on December 11, 2015. No SR visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after midnight December 10, 2015. Visas issued prior to this date will only be issued with a validity date of December 10, 2015, and all individuals seeking admission as a

Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) is a recruiting program which allows certain legal, non-citizens to enlist in the Army. The Army is enlisting Soldiers with critical language and culture skills and accessing individuals who are licensed Health Care Professionals into the Officer Corps.

USCIS added to the list of countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B programs for 2016, effective 1/18/16.

The code is (c)(26).

Effective May 26, 2015, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is extending eligibility for employment authorization to certain H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B nonimmigrants who are seeking employment-based lawful permanent resident (LPR) status. DHS amended the regulations to allow these H-4 dependent spouses to accept employment in the United States.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced the expansion of myE-Verify services nationwide. myE-Verify is a one-stop shop for employees to create and maintain secure personal accounts and access features for identity protection.

Below is an update on the Texas v. US litigation (immigration reform) from the National Immigration Law Center:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has resumed adjudications of H-2B petitions, but will continue to suspend premium processing until further notice.