Here's what you should know.
2.15.2012
New H-1B Filings Begin April 2
April 2 through 6, 2012, is the initial filing window for new H-1B petitions to be filed against the USCIS FY2013 H-1B quota if the H-1B quota availability is immediately exhausted. Employers should determine as soon as possible whether they have any…
10.25.2011
Current H-1B Cap Count for Fiscal Year 2012
As of October 14, 2011, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reported that only approximately 21,700 of the regular 65,000 H-1B visas for Fiscal Year 2012 remain available. The quota provides for 65,000 H-1B visas and 20,000 additional H…
10.4.2011
Diversity Lottery 2013 Opens
The U.S. Department of State opens entries for the Diversity Lottery 2013 beginning October 4, 2011 at noon EDT, and ending November 5, 2011, at noon EDT.
10.11.2010
Diversity Lottery 2012 Opens; H-1B Cap Update
The U.S. Department of State opened entries for the Diversity Lottery 2012 (DV-2012) beginning October 5, 2010 at noon EDT, and ending November 3, 2010, at noon EDT. Please note that this is a shorter entry period than in previous years.
6.11.2010
E-Verify Tutorial Alert
Alert: Completion of a new tutorial is required in order to continue using E-verify after a redesign is released on Sunday, June 13, 2010.
1.13.2010
Change in Law Regarding Employer Mandated Meetings
Effective January 1, 2010, Oregon law gives employees the right to opt out of certain employer mandated meetings and requires employers (regardless of the size) to post a communication in the workplace regarding that right.
12.2.2009
The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) Took Effect on
GINA prohibits discrimination by employers (and health insurers) on the basis of genetic information."Genetic information" is defined broadly to include, among other things, information about "the manifestation of a disease or disorder in family…
10.2.2009
Diversity Lottery 2011 Opens
The U.S. Department of State opens entries for the Diversity Lottery 2011 (DV-2011) beginning October 2, 2009 at noon EDT, and ending November 30, 2009, at noon EST.
9.25.2009
Federal Contractors Are Required to Use E-Verify for Many Federal Contracts Awarded On or After September 8, 2009
Companies who receive federal contracts on or after September 8, 2009, must use the government E-Verify system to confirm their employees' eligibility to work in the United States if the federal contract includes the Federal Acquisition Regulation E…
8.31.2009
U.S. Department of Labor Sending Questionnaires to Certain H-1B Workers
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has begun sending detailed questionnaires to H-1B workers who are current or former employees of companies DOL is investigating. Please note that DOL states in the questionnaire that the H-1B worker is not required…
7.2.2009
ICE Form I-9 Audit Initiative: Are Employers Prepared?; H-1B Numbers Remain Available
On July 1, 2009, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ("ICE") issued a news release announcing that it is launching "a bold, new [Form I-9] audit initiative" and has issued 652 Notices of Inspection (NOIs) to employers nationwide.
6.11.2009
Act Now: Trademark Infringement on Facebook
On Tuesday, June 9, Facebook, Inc., the social networking website company, publicly announced that beginning Saturday, June 13th at 12:01 a.m. U.S. EDT, users of the Facebook website will be allowed for the first time to create personalized URLs for…
5.6.2009
New LCA System Required by U.S. Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has activated a new online system for the filing and certification of Labor Condition Applications (LCAs). The system is referred to as the "iCert Portal" and will be required as of May 15, 2009.
4.9.2009
FY 2010 H-1B Numbers Remain Available
The USCIS has confirmed as of April 9 that approximately 23,000 of the 65,000 H-1B visas from the FY2010 quota remain available following the April 1 opening for filings.
3.20.2009
Recovery Act Model COBRA Notices Now Available
The Department of Labor has now posted model notices and corresponding instructions in their web site.
3.3.2009
The IRS and Department of Labor post forms, facts, and clarifications of changes to COBRA as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Last week, we notified you of the substantial changes to COBRA resulting from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the "Recovery Act").
2.11.2009
New H-1B Filings -- April 1 Deadline
April 1, 2009 is the filing deadline for new H-1B petitions to be made under the USCIS H-1B quota (assuming, as in the past, that H-1B quota availability will be immediately exhausted). USCIS may soon announce a longer filing window, as it did last…
1.30.2009
Very Important Update to January 26 Immigration Update
The USCIS announced today that implementation of the new Form I-9 has been delayed for 60 days. The February 2 effective date is now superseded. All U.S. employers should continue to use the current version of Form I-9 until April 3, 2009.
1.26.2009
New Form I-9 Becomes Effective Monday, February 2, 2009
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing a new Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification), which becomes effective on Monday, February 2, 2009.
11.17.2008
Visa Waiver Travel and TN Status Updates
On November 17, 2008, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that seven additional countries have been added to the Visa Waiver Program.