Last week, Department of Homeland Security announced several proposed reforms to “attract and retain highly skilled workers.” These reforms include employment authorization of certain H-4 spouses and other concrete incentives. DHS released a press release describing these administrative reforms, which would impact the benefits and the adjudications process in several…
The EB-5 attorneys at Romben Law, APC want to report about the recent EB-5 stakeholders meeting which took place recently. Probably of most interest are the EB-5 success rates reported by USCIS. In general terms, the Department of Homeland Security reports that in Fiscal Year 2010, approximately 110 initial Regional…
In the last month, usage of H-1B numbers have continued to crawl upwards: The regular H-1B cap has seen an increase from 25,300 petitions received to 32,200 as of September 9, 2011 The advanced degree cap has moved toward the 20,000 cap from 14,700 petitions received to 16,700 received as…
It’s H-1B season and the business immigration attorneys at Romben Law, APC are busy once again fielding phone calls and inquiries regarding employment-based visas, including those of L-1 and new company visas. In the past few years, the USCIS and US Department of Labor have suspected newer and small companies…
The USCIS this week provided information on the types of immigration applications for Japanese nationals who are affected by disasters caused the earthquakes and tsunamis last week. In limited circumstances, the USCIS can expedite the processing of the following types of requests/cases: requests for extensions or change of non-immigrant status…
Japan: an 8.9 earthquake has rocked Japan today, marking the most powerful earthquake in Japan’s recorded history. This quake is the fifth most powerful in the world since 1900, says the U.S. Geologic Survey. Tokyo reports massive aftershocks. Narita Airport, Sendai Airport remain closed, although Haneda Airport has reopened already.…
Clients who file their permanent residency applications through Romben Law, APC are always advised to use employment authorization and advance parole (often referred to as “travel permit”) documents with caution. As of February 11, 2011, USCIS has begun issuing employment authorization and advance parole documents in ONE SINGLE CARD, and…
So the H-1B cap for FY 2011 was finally reached on January 26, 2011. Petitions delivered to a USCIS service center on the 26th, will undergo the H-1B lottery, and if you “win” a slot for the coveted last day to submit an H-1B for FY 2011, your case will…
I’ve been fielding a lot of calls for PERM lately. I’m not sure if it’s related to the fact that indications for the private sector and employment numbers are on the rise or if it’s the beginning of a new year and everyone wants to start their permanent residency applications,…
Yet another update to the H-1B quota, also known as the Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 H-1B cap. Approximately 34,900 cases have been receipted by USCIS for the regular Bachelor’s degree H-1B quota. Approximately 13,000 cases have been receipted by USCIS for the advanced degree H-1B quota open to applicants who…