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Each year, the U.S. government makes available 55,000 permanent resident (“green card”) visas to individuals from countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S. (see below) who have at least a high school...
Oct 07, 2020
Immigration Law
New Rules Narrow Eligibility and Raise Minimum Wage Requirements for H-1B Workers and Other Professionals
On October 7th the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) will publish two new rules with the intent to limit eligibility for H-1B, H-1B1 and E-3 workers, as well as for employment-based...
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) proposed fee increase, which was scheduled to go into effect on Friday, October 2, 2020, has been temporarily suspended. The fee increase would have dramatically...
Sep 14, 2020
General Employment Issues
New York’s Paid Sick Leave Law Becomes Effective September 30, 2020
As previously reported here, New York State’s Paid Sick Leave Law (“NYS PSLL”), § 196-b of the New York Labor Law, becomes effective on September 30, 2020. Current employees will begin to accrue sick leave on...
Aug 24, 2020
Immigration Law
Employers Now Authorized to Accept Approval Notices In Lieu of EAD Cards Because of Lengthy Processing Delays
This week the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that employees who have not received their employment authorization cards (EAD), but who did receive their employment authorization approval...
Aug 15, 2020
General Employment Issues
New York’s 2019-2020 State Budget Provides Employees with Three Hours of Paid Time Off to Vote
Update: New York Election Law Amended to Once Again Require Two Hours of Paid Time Off to Vote As part of New York State’s budget for fiscal year 2020-2021, Section 3-110 of the Election Law has been amended to revert back...
Additional H-1B visa numbers are now available! As a result, USCIS has selected more cap-subject H-1B registrations from the recent FY2021 lottery. Those notified of the new selection will be able to file their petitions from...
Aug 07, 2020
COVID-19 Guidance
DOS Clarifies Scope of National Interest Exception to Immigration Bans
The Department of State has clarified what constitutes a “national interest exception” in the context of the Trump Administration’s recent immigration bans. Applicants outside the US who are barred from obtaining an...
Aug 06, 2020
Immigration Law
USCIS Announces Filing Fee Increases
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced filing fee increases for most applications effective October 2, 2020. Certain application fees, as noted below, will increase dramatically. The changes include:...
Jul 14, 2020
Immigration Law
Trump Administration Rescinds Policy Requiring International Students to Take In-Person Classes
Late today, the Trump administration rescinded its policy requiring F-1 and M-1 international students to take at least some of their classes in person during the Fall 2020 semester – or leave the country. The policy...