December 2024

With an incoming administration vocal about its stance on immigration enforcement and safeguarding U.S. workers, employers who hire foreign workers on H-1B visas should make certain that they are maintaining compliance with U.S. immigration regulations. To avoid potential fines, penalties, or jeopardizing the status and work authorization of H-1B employees

Continue Reading Keeping Your Ducks in H-1B Row: Compliance Strategies for Employers

An all too familiar countdown once again as we wait to hear the fate of the latest temporary extension to continue funding the government after midnight on Friday, December 20th. Employers should be aware that a shutdown will likely impact processing of immigration cases.

During a shutdown, all but “essential”

Continue Reading Here We Go Again? Government Shutdown and Impacts on Immigration

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a permanent increase in the automatic extension period for certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) up to 540 days. The final rule will take effect on January 13, 2025.

Background on the History of Automatic EAD Extensions

The automatic extension of EADs was

Continue Reading DHS Announces Permanent Increase of Automatic EAD Extensions

By: Andrea Davis

The U.S. Department of State announced a significant update to the Exchange Visitor Skills List, effective as of December 9, 2024.  This action is in response to an Executive Order issued last year, in which the Biden Administration gave instructions to “consider initiating a rulemaking

Continue Reading Understanding the New Exchange Visitor Skills List Update

Recent Changes to Submission Requirements

As of December 2, 2024, USCIS has updated its policy to require that Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, be submitted along with Form I-485, which is the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Previously, applicants could submit the

Continue Reading Navigating the Medical Examination Requirement for Form I-485: A Comprehensive Guide

On November 25, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a settlement with Great Dane LLC (Great Dane), a trailer manufacturing company, over allegations of discriminatory hiring practices against non-U.S. citizens. The DOJ’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) alleged that Great Dane’s Wayne, Nebraska plant committed a pattern

Continue Reading The Cost of Non-Compliance: Insights from IERs Settlement Agreement with Great Dane LLC