Insights

DHS: New Rules for FY2020 Cap Selection Process

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted today for public inspection, a final rule which will go into effect on April 1st, amending regulations governing H-1B cap-subject petitions, including those that may be eligible for the advanced degree exemption Key Takeaways of the new rule:– Reverses the order by which U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) selects H-1B petitions under the H-1B regular cap and the advanced degree exemption. This change in the rule is

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January 30, 2019

H-1B Filing Tips To Avoid The Highly-Skilled Deportation Machine

A perfect storm is brewing for foreign tech workers to be deported from the United States. Three recent U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) policy memorandums enable an immigration framework that creates a “deport first, ask questions later” approach to highly-skilled immigration. This storm will severely hinder well-educated professionals from coming to the U.S. and making meaningful contributions to industry and society. The obvious damage will be to the tech industry, but it is only

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August 1, 2018

Forbes Explains Why Immigration Helps

Forbes published an article entitled “7 Facts You Didn’t Know About High-Skilled Immigrants“. It was very interesting to read this article which highlights some surprising facts regarding highly skilled immigrants. I had no idea that 42% of America’s Top Cancer Researchers are Immigrants! I wonder how many of the nonimmigrant researchers are actually first generation children of immigrants. I strongly recommend you read the article . The article also talks about the EB3 issue, stating

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August 22, 2016

STEM Fields of Study that Qualify for 24-month Extension

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) provided a STEM Designated Degree Program list, which includes all fields of study that DHS considers to be science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) fields for purposes of the 24-month STEM optional practical training (OPT) extension. Can be found here: https://www.ice.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Document/2016/stem-list.pdf  

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June 7, 2016

USCIS Reaches FY2017 H-1B CAP

USCIS announced that it has reached the congressionally mandated H-1B cap for FY2017. USCIS will use a computer-generated process, also known as the lottery, to randomly select the petitions needed to meet the general category and advanced degree exemption caps. Before running the lottery, USCIS will complete initial intake for all filings received during the filing period, which ends today. Due to the high number of petitions, USCIS has not announced the date it will

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April 7, 2016

SEVP’s New Online STEM OPT Hub and Resources on DHS Final Rule

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) released a STEM OPT hub page on the Study in the States website, to help school officials, students, and employers understand the new DHS final rule on OPT for F-1 students. The website includes a transition plan and training plan, as well as FAQs. Here is the hub

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March 15, 2016