Last night, President Trump signed a Proclamation restricting immigration to the U.S. for certain foreign nationals. The order takes effect at 11:59pm EDT on April 23, 2020 and is effective for 60 days (and may be continued depending on labor market conditions.)

In an effort to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, the Trump administration has issued a presidential proclamation imposing travel restrictions upon individuals who have recently visited mainland China. Effective February 2, 2020, any non-U.S. citizen who was physically present in mainland China (all areas governed by the People’s Republic of China, excluding Hong Kong and Macau) within 14 days prior to seeking entry to the U.S. will be barred from entry to the U.S., unless exempt as described below. This entry bar will last until terminated by President Trump.

U.S. State Department now requiring visa applicants to disclose social media information

New H-1B visa petitions (including change of status petitions) can be filed with the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (“USCIS”) beginning April 1, 2019 for an effective start date of October 1, 2019.  H-1B petitions are accepted on a "first-come-first-serve" basis, and the demand for H-1B visas is expected to be very high again this year. We therefore plan to file all cap-subject Petitions for USCIS receipt on April 1, 2019.  

New H-1B visa petitions (including change of status petitions) can be filed with the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services beginning April 1, 2017 for an effective start date of October 1, 2017.  H-1B petitions are accepted on a "first-come-first-serve" basis, and the demand for H-1B visas is expected to be very high again this year. We therefore plan to file all cap-subject Petitions on April 1, 2017.  As preparation can be time-consuming, employers should begin the filing process as early as possible.  If your company is seeking to hire H-1B cap-subject professional foreign workers and has not already initiated the process with us, you should contact Outside GC’s Immigration Team immediately.  

As you may know, federal law requires employers to verify the identity and employment authorization of all employees hired in the United States by completing and retaining a Form I-9 for each employee at the time of hire. This requirement applies to both citizens and non-citizens. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has just released a new version of this form, dated November 14, 2016.

On May 10, 2016, new immigration regulations went into effect with respect to foreign national students working in the US.  Specifically, the regulations expand opportunities for the extension of post-completion work authorization (optional practical training, or “OPT”) for students who complete a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) degree.  These opportunities will require additional reporting requirements and other responsibilities for employers and the F-1 student employees prior to, during and following STEM OPT employment.