Telecommuting and flexible work arrangements are becoming more commonplace in many industries. Yet, immigration and labor rules have not kept up with these changes. H-1B workers are only authorized to work in specific locations, most often a company office. When managers permit or require H-1B workers to work off-site, companies are at risk for serious violations of the H-1B program. If you learn that an H-1B worker has been working at any locations not originally considered in his or her H-1B … [Read more...]
ALERT: New Version of Form I-9 Released
On July 17, 2017, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a new version of its Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. The new version is available “online” https://www.uscis.gov/system/files_force/files/form/i-9.pdf?download=1. Employers may use this new version, with revision date 07/17/17 N immediately. The previous version of the form, with revision date 11/14/16 N, may be used through September 17, 2017. Beginning on September 18, 2017, employers may only use … [Read more...]
USCIS Releases Memo on H-1B Program
On March 31, 2017, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a new “Policy Memorandum,” which can be found on the USCIS website at the following link, https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/nativedocuments/PM-6002-0142-H-1BComputerRelatedPositionsRecission.pdf, that gives guidance to USCIS adjudicators at its Nebraska Service Center (NSC) on proper standards for the adjudication of H-1B petitions sponsoring nonimmigrant workers for computer occupations. What follows … [Read more...]
Green Cards and Employment Authorization Documents to be Redesigned
On April 19, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it was redesigning the Permanent Resident Card (also known as a Green Card) and the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) as part of the Next Generation Secure Identification Document Project. USCIS will begin issuing the new cards starting on May 1, 2017. According to the USCIS, these redesigns use enhanced graphics and fraud-resistant security features to create cards that are highly secure and more tamper-resistant … [Read more...]
E-2 Visa for Israel Nationals: Coming Soon
The long anticipated implementation of a law enacted on June 8, 2012, will soon allow citizens and nationals of Israel to apply for E-2 Treaty Investor visas. This class of visa will allow nonimmigrant traders and investors from Israel to enter and remain in the U.S. to participate in trade or the management of a substantial investment. Part of the delay in implementing this law, “Public Law 112-130” which can be found on the USCIS website at the following link, … [Read more...]
FRAUD ALERT from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a fraud alert on April 19, 2017, to warn the public about a scam using the DHS OIG hotline telephone number. Scammers have identified themselves as “U.S. Immigration” employees and have altered their caller ID to seem like the call is coming from the DHS OIG hotline (1-800-323-8603). They then demand that the individual provide or verify personally identifiable information, often by telling individuals that … [Read more...]
