Articles Posted in Workers (H, L, R, O, P)

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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. The immigration attorneys at Romben Law, APC who practice in business immigration, family-based immigration, removal defense and appellate work extend sympathy and concern to all our Japanese clients and those with family and friends abroad who are affected by this devastating disaster.

Over the years, the immigration attorneys at Romben Law, APC have worked proudly in the Japanese immigrant community, having represented multinational executives and managers for some of Japan’s largest corporations, professors providing invaluable research and teaching in top U.S. universities, professional employees working in companies based in Little Tokyo and in Japanese American non-profit organizations, and of course, countless individuals and families of Japanese descent.

With early reports of the death toll, the true damage the earthquake has caused remains unknown at this moment. We do know that this earthquake may cause tsunamis powerful enough to engulf or wash over small islands in the Pacific causing more damage and posing continued danger to those in the Pacific. For clients wishing to return to Japan in the weeks to come, please call the attorneys at Romben Law, APC for guidance on how to check the US Department of State for travel warnings and other restrictions. —ecf

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Over the years, the business immigration attorneys at Romben Law, APC have reported on PERM processing times, which have varied at just several days to several weeks to over a year for initial adjudication. Currently, the Office of Foreign Labor Certification “OFLC” is reporting that initial adjudications are being completed in less than a month, which is a welcome relief for those on H-1B, H-1B1, TN, E-3 or other status where they may be running out of time to complete the labor certification process.

In terms of an update, the OFLC released it’s annual performance report on FY2010 just this week. As many of you might know, the PERM application (Form ETA9089) is set to expire in June 2011, and the new form will be much longer and detailed (possibly 20 pages long as opposed to the current 10 pages). The annual report also makes this statement: “OFLC will apply stricter scrutiny to applications.” In addition, the Department of Labor also announced that they will propose that employers pay a user fee to fund the PERM, H-2A and H-2B programs. Many people seeking PERM have already dealt with issues of eligibility on those dreaded Request for Evidence (RFEs) for nonimmigrant statuses and now the hurdles to filing a successful PERM case have also increased. It is more important than ever to prepare your PERM case early with an experienced immigration attorney especially one who will take the time to explain what employers and applicants should expect throughout the pre-filing and adjudications period for PERM, because be it slow or fast, OFLC is implementing much stricter scrutiny on all applications. For a initial consultation on a PERM case, call the attorneys at Romben Law, APC. –ecf 577.jpg,

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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 as a result, the attorneys at Romben Law, APC are concerned that applicants for permanent residency do not utilize the card without a careful analysis of whether using the card might jeopardize their current status or prevent them from re-entering the US after traveling abroad!Screen shot 2011-02-15 at 12.59.51 PM.png

For many applicants who are applying for greencards through employment, using an employment authorization card with a company other than the sponsoring employer can be a violation of the applicant’s current non-immigrant visa status. In some cases, this can result in a denial of the entire adjustment of status application!

It is very common for some applicants to be granted the advance parole document by USCIS, although leaving the country, even with the advance parole in hand, could bar them from re-entering. This scenario is typical for those who face the 3 or 10 year bar because of unlawful presence. Please contact the attorneys at Romben Law, APC if you or someone you know is applying for permanent residency. —ecf

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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 go on towards adjudication. Petitions that do not get “chosen” through the lottery, will be returned, along with filing fee checks and all documentation.

For the rest of you reading who are still looking for a job, or perhaps using your time on OPT which may expire in the next few months, the obvious question is “what next?” Aside from getting your petition ready for an April 1, 2011 filing (allowing an October 1, 2011 start date), the options care woefully limited.

F-1 students with degrees in the so-called “STEM” majors (science, technology, engineering and medicine) can apply for an extended OPT period. Others may be out of luck if they can’t find a job offer that is H-1B eligible. Other than extending F-1 status by pursuing another degree or perhaps some type of certificate program in your major, some people will opt for a J-1 internship which allows professional graduates to work for up to 18 months in an internship program that is certified by USCIS through a J-1 sponsoring organization. Other options might be an O-1 if you are of extraordinary ability or perhaps you might be eligible for an investors visa if you are the entrepreneurial type. For more information on what your options might be, visit our website at www.jfonglaw.com and fill out an intake form so we can help you decide your next move. –ecf

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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, or just what.

Either way, I wanted to summarize just what it takes to start and submit a successful PERM application. PERM, which is the formal name for the Department of Labor’s (DOL) foreign labor certification application, Form ETA 9089 – is a complicated process. Before an applicant even deals with the USCIS, an applicant’s employer must conduct a formal recruitment campaign, setting out advertisements for the employment opportunity and only after weeks of advertising plus a 30-day quiet period, can a PERM application be submitted. A useful overview of the entire process can be found at our website: www.jfonglaw.com
In the meanwhile, a lot of things must be achieved during this time: DOL’s independent verification of the company’s existence, a prevailing wage determination also by DOL, and of course, meticulous documentation of the advertisings and recruitment results. If all goes well, a PERM applicant may see their application lodged with the DOL some 2-4 months after starting the process. Current processing times once a labor certification has been submitted are surprisingly short right now. Our office recently received a labor certification approval within 2.5 weeks of submission. And while I can’t ensure that this trend continues, it is a welcome surprise. I will explain the second and third stages to a PERM application in the next blog, so please check back in a couple of days. —ecf

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Fiscal year 2011 has been a relatively slow year for H-1B usage. Whether it’s the economy or increased scrutiny of H-1B petitions or increased H-1B filing fees, I thought you might want to know that the quota is still open.

As of November 22, USCIS informed the public that approximately 48,977 cases have been counted against the general quota and approximately 17,836 cases have been counted against the advanced degree quota.

If you would like help in submitting a successful H-1B case, call the attorneys at Romben Law, APC for a free H-1B consultation. —ecf

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New numbers from USCIS on the H-1B quota:

Out of 65,000 that USCIS may approve, CIS has received 44,300 cases. This is an increase of about 2,400 since the last announcement about a week ago.

As far as US advanced degree cases, where beneficiaries have received a US Master’s or high degree, CIS announced that they have received 16,200 cases. This is an increase of about 800 cases since the last announcement.

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This just in:

Regular cap count is at approximately 41, 900 and the advanced degree cap has reached approximately 15,400.

Looks like the advanced degree cap is soon to close, but perhaps the regular cap will still be available until the end of the year as it was last year. Time will tell… –ecf

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Now is that unfortunate time of year where the attorneys at Romben Law, APC start receiving phone calls from H-1B applicants who have received denials of their H-1B petitions. If someone has a denied H-1B, re-filing may be an option, but a previous denial definitely presents some challenges since any applicant must reveal previous denials in subsequent applicants. As I blogged about last year, there are many reasons that USCIS can find to justify a denial, however, many of the H-1B denials that I review could have been prevented if employers and applicants had a better understanding of what makes a successful H-1B case.

H-1B is a program for professional workers, and USCIS takes a very common sense approach to determining whether a job is considered a specialty occupation. First the USCIS reviews whether the nature of the job duties would normally require at least a Bachelor’s degree level of training or knowledge, and secondly, whether requiring a Bachelor’s degree for such position is normal to the that particular industry. Finally, USCIS will consider whether the applicant’s major of study is actually applicable to the job at hand. Beyond this, USCIS relies on caselaw, statutory definitions and guidance from the US Department of Labor to determine whether your case is really H-1B caliber or not. And if so, USCIS will also make a determination whether there is a real job offer in hand and whether an applicant is qualified for such position.

At Romben Law, APC, we don’t use cookie-cutter solutions in helping H-1B employers submit their applications to USCIS. We use a individualized and highly tailored approach to understanding the job offer, the company, and the applicant’s qualifications. If you are interested in a consultation, contact us today. —ecf

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