USCIS published the final version of a new policy memorandum that provides additional guidance to its officers on adjudication of L-1B “specialized knowledge” petitions. The guidance becomes effective on August 31, 2015. USCIS had previously provided a draft of the policy memorandum for stakeholder comment and a number of organizations, including the American Immigration […]
In an August 12, 2015 decision, a federal District Court ruled in Washington Alliance of Technology Workers v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not follow the proper procedures under the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) in issuing the current STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) rule. The STEM OPT […]
Jennifer Minear and Sarah Peterson Stensrud explain why Congress must extend the Conrad 30 J-1 waiver program, which sunsets September 30, 2015. Please call SPS immigration to discuss questions you may have about how the sunset of this program impacts your organization.
On August 3, 2015, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) implemented an important policy change advocated by stakeholders which will substantially reduce the amount of time that it takes for certain physicians and other highly compensated professionals to obtain H-1B status.
The H-1B process requires employers to obtain an approved Labor Condition Application (LCA), supported […]
