Immigration and Firm News

Starting May 26, 2015, USCIS will begin accepting H-4 work authorization (EAD) applications from certain spouses of H-1B workers.  This is a regulatory amendment that was published as a final rule in the Federal Register on February 29, 2015.  USCIS published the H-4 notice of proposed rulemaking in May 2014 and finalizing it was part of the executive actions on immigration that President Obama announced in November 2014. Extending eligibility for employment authorization to certain H-4 … [Read more...]

Below are some alternatives for employers and current/prospective employees who were not selected for the H-1B cap cases for FY 2016 beginning October 1, 2015.  As mentioned in an earlier post, there were 233,000 applications for 85,000 slots! If you are among the two thirds of applicants who were rejected, there may be some other options available as described below.  Some of the options described below are for nationals of specified countries. They are highlighted to help employers focus on … [Read more...]

USCIS is releasing regulations on February 25, 2015 that will allow some H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B specialty occupation employees to work in the US.  USCIS will not begin accepting applications for work authorization (Form I-765) until May 26, 2015. Although these rules were announced by President Obama in his November 20, 2014 Executive Action list of to-do projects, proposed regulations on H-4 work authorization were actually published for comment earlier in 2014.  Focus on the word "some" … [Read more...]