Ver la versión en español aquí How many times have you had to terminate an employee with an expired Employment Authorization Document (EAD) who had filed for a new EAD card but who was waiting for the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) to issue the new EAD card? That sorry situation may be a … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published the latest version of Form I-9 on November 14. Employers must start using the new Form I-9 by January 22, 2017. Until January 22, employers can continue to use the version of the Form I-9 dated 03/08/2013 N. According to the … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services plans to publish a new Form I-9 by November 22, 2016. The current Form I-9 can be identified by “Form I-9 03/08/13 N” in the lower, left corner of the form. Employers may continue to use the current Form I-9 through January 21, … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí The Department of State is rolling out its “no four eyes” policy. Effective November 1, 2016, the Department of State will no longer accept photographs of visa and passport applicants wearing eyeglasses, except in very limited medical circumstances. From November 1 to November 30, the Department will accept photographs … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí It is hurricane season in Florida, but I am writing with emergency preparedness advice. I am writing about the lingering effects of Hurricane Mitch, which struck Central America in 1998, killing more than 11,000 people, destroying hundreds of thousands of homes, and causing more than $5 billion in damage. … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí With over 400 attendees from more than 200 employers, our 26th Annual Labor & Employment Law Seminar was a huge success! Thank you for allowing us to keep you “on Track”. For the first time this year, following our morning sessions, attendees were able to choose from our “high-speed” track designed for … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí For the last several months, foreign students in F-1 status and potential employers have been living in limbo. A federal district court invalidated the Department of Homeland Security’s rules providing additional time in Optional Practical Training for STEM graduates (graduates with degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math). The … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí Do not tell Donald Trump but the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is again extending the Temporary Protected Status designation for Haiti for a period of eighteen (18) months, from January 23, 2016 through July 22, 2017. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary immigration status granted to … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí The latest development in the H-2B saga came yesterday. The federal district court at the heart of the controversy decided to temporarily stay its order that had vacated the U.S. Department of Labor’s 2008 H-2B regulations. The court stayed its decision through April 15. The court did not have … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí Both the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have suspended all processing under the H-2B program, which many employers use to hire seasonal workers. The decision may impact staffing at hotels and country clubs that often use temporary, unskilled workers during their busy … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí Employment Authorization Documents Automatically Extended The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently extended the Temporary Protected Status designation for El Salvador for a period of eighteen (18) months, until September 9, 2016. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary immigration status granted to eligible nationals of designated countries … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí Employee: “Hi, Ms. HR Manager, here’s my new Social Security Number. And I also have a new work authorization document.” Ms. HR Manager: “Huh, you’ve worked here three years. This Social Security Number is different from the one on your Form I-9. Is it Friday yet?” You may have … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí Employment Authorization Documents Automatically Extended The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) extended the Temporary Protected Status designation for Honduras and Nicaragua for a period of eighteen (18) months, until July 5, 2016. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary immigration status granted to eligible nationals of designated countries … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí It is that time of year again. The U.S. Department of State’s Diversity Visa Program opened at noon on October 1 and will close on November 3, also at noon. For those not in the know, the Diversity Visa Program is an annual lottery open to nationals of countries … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí E-Verify is an online application that allows participating employers to verify electronically the employment eligibility of new hires. It is jointly operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA). To participate in E-Verify, an employer must sign a multi-page Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with … Continue Reading
Two weeks ago, the H-1B visa filing season kicked off and, within five days, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services received about 175,000 H-1B petitions for 65,000 available H-1B visas, plus 20,000 H-1Bs set aside for foreign nationals who hold U.S. advanced degrees. Clearly, employers are looking to hire – at least highly skilled workers … Continue Reading
On March 3, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) extended the Temporary Protected Status designation for Haiti for a period of eighteen (18) months, from July 23, 2014 to January 22, 2016. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary immigration status granted to eligible nationals of designated countries because the country has experienced temporary … Continue Reading
The U.S. Department of Labor has issued the following notice regarding E-Verify and the impact of the government shutdown: E-Verify has resumed operations following the federal government shutdown. All E-Verify features and services are now available. The following information addresses questions on how the federal government’s shutdown affected E-Verify and Form I-9. Information For Employers … Continue Reading
The Department of Justice’s Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices (say that 3 times!) has provided guidance on Form I-9 software programs that pre-populate Section 1 of the Form I-9 with data already entered into the software program. In our June 12 posting, we blogged that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) … Continue Reading
The Verification Division of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations have offered some practical tips and clarifications regarding the completion of Form I-9. Pre-Population of Employee Information in Section 1 of the Form I-9. For employers who use electronic I-9 systems, particularly those systems integrated with other … Continue Reading
Following the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for certain nationals of Nicaragua and Honduras, the Department of Homeland Security has extended the program for El Salvadorans. Currently, TPS status for qualifying El Salvadoran nationals expires on September 9, 2013. With the extension, Temporary Protected Status for eligible El Salvadoran nationals is extended through March … Continue Reading
New Form I-9. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued a new Form I-9. USCIS has clarified that employers must start using the new Form I-9 as of May 7, 2013 for new hires. Earlier announcements suggested that employers had until May 8 to use the new form. H-1Bs are gone. Filing season for new … Continue Reading
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that, beginning March 8, 2013, employers must begin using a revised version of the Form I-9 to verify the employment eligibility of new hires. The new form will reflect a revision date (Rev. 03/08/13)N. As of the time of writing, the new Form I-9 was not available … Continue Reading
The current version of Form I-9, used to verify the identity and work authorization of new employers, will expire on August 31, 2012. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has advised that employers should continue to use the current Form I-9 even after the OMB control number expiration date of August 31, 2102 has … Continue Reading
