Bipartisan Dream Act Introduced in House
On July 20, 2017, Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced the bipartisan Dream Act of 2017 (S. 1615), which would provide young people who were brought to this country as children and grew up, commonly known as Dreamers, in the United States the chance to apply for lawful permanent residence, if they meet certain requirements. A week later, on July 27, 2017, Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) introduced the Hou
USCIS Resumes H-1B Premium Processing for Certain Cap-Exempt Petitions
On July 24, 2017, USCIS resumed premium processing for certain cap-exempt H-1B petitions, including those where the petitioner is an institution of higher education, a nonprofit related to or affiliated with an institution of higher education, or a nonprofit research or government research organization. Matthews Immigration Group exists to deliver high-value immigration strategies and solutions to its business and individual clientele throughout the United States. Contact our
CBP Expands Global Entry to Indian Citizens
Two weeks in, U.S. Customs and Border Protection ("CBP") has expanded Global Entry eligibility to citizens of India. Global Entry, a CBP Trusted Traveler Program, allows for expedited clearance of pre-approved, low-risk travelers. Indian citizens can begin applying for Global Entry through the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES) website. India becomes the 11th country overall whose citizens are eligible to enroll in Global Entry. Currently available at 53 U.S. airports and
Revised Form I-9 Now Available
USCIS released a revised version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, on July 17. Employers can use this revised version or continue using Form I-9 with a revision date of 11/14/16 N through September 17, 2017. On September 18, 2017, employers must use the revised form with a revision date of 07/17/17 N. Employers must continue following existing storage and retention rules for any previously completed Form I-9. Revisions to the Form I-9 Instructions: CIS changed
CIS Releases August 2017 AOS Filing Dates
As stated in the MIGblog post of July 13, 2017 (link here), the Immigration and Nationality Act ("INA") sets annual worldwide and per-country numerical limits on employment-based and family-sponsored immigrant visas. These visas are supply-side "products," allocated on a first-come, first-served basis (in sequential order, based upon applicants' priority dates). The August 2017 Visa Bulletin is issued on the basis of reported demand received from the DOS (visa applicants) and
DHS Delay and Potential Elimination of International Entrepreneur Rule
DHS announced last week that it would delay implementation of the "International Entrepreneur Rule," a new regulation that would provide immigration opportunities for a small number of international entrepreneurs who can show that they would provide a significant public benefit to the United States in the form of economic growth and the creation of U.S. jobs. If allowed to go forward, the rule would provide a temporary parole status for investors with established records of s
Secretaries of Homeland Security and Labor to Increase H-2B Cap for Remainder of FY2017 by an Additi
Pursuant to a temporary rule to be published tomorrow in the Federal Register, the Secretaries of Homeland Security and Labor will be increasing the H-2B cap for the remainder of FY2017 by an additional 15,000 visas. The rule will be effective from the date of publication in the Federal Register through September 30, 2017, with the exception of document retention provisions, which are effective through September 30, 2020. From the advance copy obtained by AILA: "The Secretary
DOS Releases August 2017 Visa Bulletin
The Immigration and Nationality Act ("INA") sets annual worldwide and per-country numerical limits on employment-based and family-sponsored immigrant visas. These visas are supply-side "products," allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The August 2017 Visa Bulletin is issued on the basis of reported demand received from DOS (visa applicants) and CIS (adjustment applicants) by July 11, 2017. This month's bulletin shows backlogs (demand > supply) in the EB-1 category fo
