Immigration News - Reddy & Neumann, P.C

President Expands Executive Order – H-1B, J, and L Visas Affected

Written on 22 June 2020.

As expected, today the President issued an expansion of the executive order he signed in April (“Suspending Entry of Immigrants Who Present Risk to the U.S. Labor Market during the Economic Recovery Following the COVID-19 Outbreak”), which was originally...

4,600 Nonimmigrants Expected to be Deported for Using Fraudulent Experience Letters

Written on 12 June 2020.

In a recent development, 100 F-1 students, most from India, have received notification from a U.S. consulate that their visa has been revoked. A copy of an email from the Mumbai Consulate regarding visa revocation can be seen below: According to...

Additional Executive Order May Affect Entry of Nonimmigrant Visa Holders

Written on 11 June 2020.

It is expected that the president will issue an expansion of the executive order he signed in April (“Suspending Entry of Immigrants Who Present Risk to the U.S. Labor Market during the Economic Recovery Following the COVID-19 Outbreak”), which was...

Visa Revocations for Students Employed with Integra Technologies, LLC OR Aztech Technologies LLC

Written on 08 June 2020.

F-1 students have been receiving visa revocation notices from consulates in India under 221(i) when they were previously approved for OPT or the STEM extension with Integra Technologies, LLC or AZTech Technologies, LLC. There are many instances where...

USCIS Resumes Premium Processing for I-129 and I-140 Petitions in Phases

Written on 29 May 2020.

USCIS announced today that it will resume premium processing for Form I-129 and Form I-140 in phases over the next month: June 1st – USCIS will accept premium processing for all Form I-140 petitions. June 8th – USCIS will accept premium processing...

Nurses and the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act (HWRA): Schedule A Green Cards

Written on 18 May 2020.

Recognizing the economic and social need of attracting high-skilled foreign talent, current immigration law entitles the government to “lower to bar” for certain professions and/or industry segments facing critical labor shortages by doing away with...

Frequently Asked Questions about the H-1B 60-day Grace Period

Written on 05 May 2020.

1. What are the basic requirements of the 60-day grace period? To qualify for the 60-day grace period, you would need to have a valid I-94 and a “cessation” or termination of employment. Note, if you are transferring to a new company (Company B)...

Working for Multiple H-1B Employers Possible Through Concurrent H-1B Employment

Written on 01 May 2020.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced employers and employees to quickly adjust work arrangements to ensure business continues seamlessly. Many employers have implemented remote work arrangements and, in some cases, adjusted employee work hours and pay....

I-140 or Compelling Circumstance EAD: What to Know

Written on 30 April 2020.

Compelling Circumstance EAD: What to know For qualified individuals and their dependent spouses and children, USCIS may grant work authorizations (EAD) due to compelling circumstances. To qualify for a compelling circumstance EAD, an individual must...

New Form I-9 Must Be Used Starting May 1st

Written on 29 April 2020.

With May 1st just around the corner, employers are reminded that you must begin using the new Form I-9 on May 01, 2020. The version date of the new Form I-9 is 10/21/2019 and can be found in the lower left corner of the form. The new Form I-9 also...

Trump Signs Executive Order Suspending Entry of Immigrants into the United States

Written on 22 April 2020.

President Trump signed an executive order titled, “Proclamation Suspending Entry of Immigrants Who Present Risk to the U.S. Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the COVID-19 Outbreak.” The order comes on the heels of a very dramatic...

Terminating an H-1B Employee due to Unavailable Work during COVID-19

Written on 16 April 2020.

Due to the unexpected unavailability of work, employers may need to consider terminating their H-1B employees in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Temporary layoffs, furlough, or benching of an H-1B employee due to unavailable work is not permissible....

H-4 and L-2 EAD Holders Can File for Unemployment Benefits

Written on 14 April 2020.

As the U.S. unemployment rate continues to climb as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many have asked if H-4 and L-2 EAD holders are eligible for unemployment benefits. Remember, to be eligible for unemployment, you must have an unrestricted right...

Contrary to Media Reports, USCIS Has Not Relaxed H-1B Extension Rules

Written on 14 April 2020.

You may have seen recent articles claiming H-1B holders can remain in the US for 8 months after job loss: https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/us-extends-h1-b-visas-and-allows-those-who-lose-jobs-to-stay-on-8-months/articleshow/75134195.cms or...

Another Possible Sting Operation by ICE with Fake University

Written on 07 April 2020.

Reddy & Neumann, P.C. has received reports which lead to the belief of another possible sting operation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), similar to that of Farmington University. If you recall, in early 2019 ICE raided multiple worksites...

Are Non-Immigrants Eligible for Unemployment Benefits?

Written on 02 April 2020.

Many employees have growing concerns about their job security as COVID-19 continues to take a toll on both large and small companies. The question for many is whether or not they are eligible for unemployment benefits should the unexpected happen. Work-authorized...

Green Card Ability to Pay And Covid-19 Downturn

Written on 02 April 2020.

For any company wishing to sponsor an employment-based green card, that company must show an “ability to pay” the offered wage of the sponsored employee. Practically, this “ability” must be shown from the day the Labor Certification is filed (i.e....

UPDATE: Multiple Immigration Related Announcements Made in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Written on 27 March 2020.

Over the last week, in response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) issued multiple announcements impacting employment-based immigration. The following...