Immigration News

Read the latest news and information about immigration issues that affect you.  We provide short summaries of the announcements, news and article about immigration to the United States.  Many have links to more information on that topic.

May 10, 2008

NCES CIP Codes for STEM Degrees

For the list of Classification of Instructional Programs codes published by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES CIP codes) that have been designated by ICE as science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) degrees for the purpose of approving a 17-month STEM extension of optional practical training (OPT), click here.
To read the F-1 OPT Interim Final Rule, click here.

May 10, 2008

USCIS Runs H-1B Lottery on April 14, 2008

USCIS announced that it conducted the FY 2009 H-1B lottery on April 14, 2008. For more information, click here.

April 30, 2008

USCIS Announces FY2009 H-1B Caps Reached UPDATE

The USCIS Update of April 8, 2008, reporting that both the regular FY2009 H-1B cap and the 20,000 cap for advanced degree graduates have been reached, is available here

~USCIS Temporarily Makes Accommodation for H-1B FY2009 Cap-Subject Petitions Received at the Wrong Service Center

AILA has been informed that USCIS will temporarily make accommodations for H-1B FY2009 cap-subject petitions received at the wrong service center. For more information, click here.

~USCIS Service Center Operations Replies to AILA Liaison Questions on H-1B Processing

USCIS provided responses to AILA questions regarding duplicate filings of H-1Bs and improper rejections of H-1Bs. Click here for the responses.

~USCIS Releases Preliminary Number of FY2009 H-1B Cap Filings

On April 10, 2008, USCIS announced the preliminary number H-1B petitions received during the filing period ending on April 7, 2008. Click here for more information.

April 30, 2008

F-1 OPT Interim Final Rule

~DHS Announces Interim Final Rule Extending OPT for Qualified Students

An April 4, 2008, a Department of Homeland Security Press Release announced an interim final rule extending the period of Optional Practical Training (OPT) for qualified F-1 nonimmigrant students. For more information, click here. To read the interim final rule, click here.

~F-1 OPT Interim Final Rule and Gap in the "Cap Gap Bridge"

AILA received an update from USCIS regarding the interim final regulation revising and extending F-1 Optional Practical Training as it relates to allowing for a "bridge" for F-1 students who are picked in the H-1B lottery and requires the petitioner to have marked the petition "change of status."

~USCIS Q & As

On April 10, 2008, USCIS released Questions and Answers regarding the extension of Optional Practical Training for qualified students. For the Q &As, click here. 

April 13, 2008

USCIS Announces FY2009 H-1B Caps Reached

On 4/08/08 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has received enough H-1B petitions to meet the congressionally mandated cap for fiscal year 2009.

To read the April 8, 2008 announcement, click here.

Mar. 01, 2008

USCIS Releases Updated Background Check Q & As

On 2/28/08 USCIS released updated background check Q & As. The policy update is followed by the first draft of the Q & As released on 2/20/08.

To read the Q & As, click here.

Feb. 24, 2008

More on Processing of Adjustment Applications

Service Center Operations (SCOPS) liaison has confirmed that the service centers are conducting "sweeps" to find adjustment of status cases that can be reviewed for adjudication under the changes in background check procedures announced by USCIS on February 4, 2008. AILA national has asked USCIS HQ for information on processing of adjustment of status cases at local offices that can be reviewed under the same memo, and many chapters have already contacted local USCIS offices for further information on local processing.

SCOPS has asked AILA members to hold off on submitting liaison inquiries on cases at the service centers that were delayed due to background checks until after April 30, 2008. The USCIS hopes to have identified and taken action on cases by that date.

To read the February 4th Memo, click here.

Feb. 24, 2008

USCIS Revises Background Check Process: Will Adjudicate Adjustments Where FBI Name Check Pending Beyond 180 Days

This February 4, 2008, USCIS Michael Aytes memorandum modifies existing guidance regarding background and security checks on applicants, petitioners, and beneficiaries seeking certain immigration benefits.

To read the memo, click here.

Jan. 13, 2008

Visa Bulletin for February 2008 - EB-2 for India Unavailable Effective Immediately

Section D of the Department of State February 2008 Visa Bulletin addresses the unavailability of employment-based second preference visas for India, effective immediately.

For more information, click here.

 

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