The U.S. Department of State (DOS) August 2013 Visa Bulletin was released last week. As previously projected by DOS, the family-based second-preference (FB2A) category for spouses and children of lawful permanent residents (or green card holders) will become current for all nationalities in the month of August. In addition, the cutoff date for the employment-based second-preference … Read more
Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) defined marriage as “a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife.” Consequently, federal benefits were only available to opposite-sex married couples. Since DOMA was signed into law in 1996, lawfully married same-sex couples have not been able to avail themselves of … Read more
Partners Tali Orner & Lynn O’Brien successfully argued an appeal to the denial of an Application for Naturalization filed with the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (“USCIS”). USCIS agreed to overturn the denial decision based on the interpretation of US immigration law provided by the attorneys. Although the case was originally denied due to … Read more
As of May 19, 2013, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has moved the existing online payment for the USCIS Immigrant Fee to its Electronic Immigration System (USCIS ELIS). Customers must now pay the $165 immigrant fee using USCIS ELIS after they receive their immigrant visa package from the U.S. Consulate but before departing … Read more
Orner Law would like to remind our clients that the new Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) is now mandatory. Starting May 7, 2013, all prior versions of Form I-9 may no longer be used. As background, employers are required to use the Form I-9 to verify the identity and employment authorization eligibility of each individual … Read more
The 2014 Diversity Visa lottery results are now available online at the DV Entrant Status Check page on the State Department website. Entrant Status Check is the only means of informing DV applicants of their selection. Selected applicants may make an application for an immigrant visa. The congressionally mandated Diversity Immigrant Visa Program makes available up to 55,000 diversity … Read more
For the first time since 2008, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reached the statutory H-1B cap of 65,000 for fiscal year (FY) 2014 within the first week of the filing period. As background, U.S. companies use the H-1B program to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise in … Read more
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today, April 5, 2013, that it has received a sufficient number of H-1B visa petitions to reach the statutory cap for fiscal year (FY) 2014. USCIS has also received more than 20,000 H-1B petitions filed on behalf of persons with U.S. advanced degrees. After today, USCIS will not … Read more
According to David Shahoulian, Democratic Chief Counsel, Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security, Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, the following proposals may be included as part of Comprehensive Immigration Reform: – If you are a U.S. citizen and would like to sponsor a foreign national sibling or married son or daughter, ACT NOW. Comprehensive … Read more