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On Tuesday, May 14, the Senate Judiciary Committee completed another round of markups to Title IV of the comprehensive immigration reform (CIR) bill, S. 744. Besides additional enforcement provisions, the Senate tackled amendments to the proposed immigration law, particularly the various nonimmigrant work visa categories. The following is a short summary, the details of which can be found here with individual amendment text here. A number of Senator Hatch's proposed amendments to the H and L … [Read more...]
Immigration and Firm News
May 10, 2013 by ·
The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) has put out a very useful FAQ on Selective Service registration and military enlistment rules for immigrants of all types (in legal status, not in legal status, permanent v. temporary residents, and DACA recipients). The FAQ also covers basic US citizen and dual citizen requirements. For more information, see also the Selective Service website. All males between 18 through 25 (i.e., under 26) must register for the Selective Service regardless of … [Read more...]
May 10, 2013 by ·
Below are highlights from today's opening Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on S. 744, the "Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act." Overall, the Committee considered 32 amendments to Title I concerning border security. The Committee adopted 21 amendments, of which 20 were adopted by a bipartisan vote. The debate and voting can be viewed on C-Span. The Committee will meet again at 10 o'clock next Tuesday. After first approving by 14-4 the Sponsors' amended … [Read more...]
May 8, 2013 by ·
A list of the Senate Judiciary Committee's proposed amendments to the massive comprehensive immigration reform bill, S. 744, "Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act," run the gamut from efforts to eliminate major core benefits such as eligibility for the legalization program known as Registered Provisional Immigrant (RPI) status, to efforts to expand benefits, such as to LGBT families, to minor tweaks, as well as special interest provisions. Over 300 amendments … [Read more...]
May 7, 2013 by ·
US Senate Judiciary Committee members have filed their amendments to S. 744, the "Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act." The amendments are being uploaded online now at http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/legislation/immigration/amendments.cfm. This is an interesting process where Chairman Senator Leahy has requested that all amendments be filed by 5pm today EST. Having them online available for the public is in stark contrast to the 2006-2007 reform efforts … [Read more...]
May 6, 2013 by ·
Lornet Turnbull has an article in today's Seattle Times entitled Foreign workers' spouses often stuck in limbo, in which she recounts the experiences of several H-4 visa holders who are the spouses of H-1B temporary professional workers. Ms. Turnbull captures the angst mixed status couples face in deciding whether to come to the US at all, and whether to stay and/or pursue permanent residence. Although H-1B visa holding spouses can work for specific employers in specific jobs, the dependent … [Read more...]
May 1, 2013 by ·
On April 16, 2013 the US Senate introduced S. 744, the "Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act" (BSEOIMA), an 844 page comprehensive immigration reform bill. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) produced a detailed summary of the bill, as amended by the sponsors on May 1, 2013, which can be found here. The core features of the bill include: Increased enforcement and funding for enforcement; Reforms to the temporary and permanent legal … [Read more...]
April 30, 2013 by ·
Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) began automating the I-94 arrival documentation process. Until now, individuals received white I94 or green I-94W arrival cards (green for visa waiver tourists), upon admission to the US, often clipped inside the passport. These have been essential for nonimmigrants to track their arrivals and departures. One of the things Congress expects CBP to do is track departures, which have not been tracked as well as arrivals. I94s have been critical to immigration … [Read more...]
March 12, 2013 by ·
I previously wrote about the new I-9 form published by USCIS on March 8. The Handbook for Employers, or M-274, has also been updated. The biggest changes are the additional and expanded pictures of the various documents employers are likely to encounter. However, there are also a number of minor changes that can raise a number of questions by employers as to the appropriate documents that are acceptable or raise questions about the details in completing the I-9s. Today, I attended a … [Read more...]
March 8, 2013 by ·
Today, USCIS published a notice of revised I-9 form in the Federal Register. USCIS states: "Although employers should begin using the 03/08/13 dated form right away, older forms dated 02/02/09 and 08/07/09 will be accepted until May 7, 2013. After May 7, 2013, only the 03/08/13 will be accepted. The revision date is on the lower left corner of the form." USCIS has also scheduled free webinars to help employers understand the new form. Primary changes to the new form include more thorough … [Read more...]
