LitwinLaw Newsletter 030110
March 1, 2010
Headlines:
- H-1B Update: Filing Date Approaches; Scrutiny at POEs Increases; USCIS Issues H-1B Guidance Under Economic Stimulus – Employers will be able to submit cap-subject H-1B petitions on April 1, 2010, for the FY 2011 H-1B program.
- State Dept. Proposes Fee Changes for Consular Services – Among other things, the application fee for an employment-based immigrant visa processed on the basis of an I-140 petition will increase to $720.
- USCIS To Issue Revised Approval Notices for Certain I-129s and I-539s – Certain Notices of Approval were issued between January 20 and 27, 2010, with incorrect or missing information.
- Kerry, Lugar Introduce Immigrant Entrepreneur Bill – The “StartUp Visa Act of 2010” would allow certain immigrant entrepreneurs to receive a two-year visa under a new EB-6 category.
- USCIS Changes Filing Location for Employment Authorization Application – USCIS has revised filing instructions and addresses for the I-765.
- USCIS Revises Permanent Residence Application, Changes Filing Locations – USCIS has posted a revised I-485 and changed the filing locations.
- Labor Dept. Publishes H-2A Final Rule – The final rule affects various aspects of the temporary agricultural employment of H-2A workers.
- ETA Announces 2010 Adverse Effect Wage Rates and Maximum Meal and Travel Charges for H-2A Agricultural Worker Employers – The H-2A AEWR is based on USDA data.
- ICE Updates List of SEVP-Approved Schools – ICE has released the latest updated list of Student and Exchange Visitor Program approved schools.
- USCIS Issues Guidance on H Nonimmigrants in the CNMI and Guam – H-1B and H-2B workers in the CNMI and Guam are exempt from the caps.
Also in this issue:
New Publications and Items of Interest
Government Agency Links
Details…
1. H-1B Update: Filing Date Approaches; Scrutiny at POEs Increases; USCIS Issues H-1B Guidance Under Economic Stimulus
H-1B filing date approaches. Employers will be able to submit cap-subject H-1B petitions on April 1, 2010, for the fiscal year (FY) 2011 H-1B program. The numerical limitation, or cap, for FY 2010 was reached in December 2009. Beneficiaries of cap-subject petitions may begin employment as early as October 1, 2010. Employers recruiting abroad or who have hired individuals for F-1 “Optional Practical Training” should prepare to have their petitions delivered to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on April 1, 2010.
Petitions are only subject to the FY 2011 cap if the beneficiary of that petition has not been counted against a cap previously. Thus, “new” H-1B petitions are cap-subject but most petitions for extension, change of employer, or concurrent employment are not affected by the H-1B cap. Further, petitions on behalf of foreign nationals to be employed by institutions of higher education (or related or affiliated nonprofit entities), nonprofit research organizations, or governmental research organizations are not subject to the cap, but if an employer wishes to hire an H-1B employee currently employed at such an organization, the new petition would be cap-subject.
Scrutiny at POEs. Recent reports suggest that scrutiny at ports of entry is increasing for H-1Bs and other employment-based visas, especially those working for information technology consulting firms and those posted at third party worksites. The Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers (ABIL) recommends that entering nonimmigrants be familiar with the petition filed on their behalf, and that they carry a complete copy of the filing and supporting documents along with up-to-date documentation confirming their employment, such as recent paystubs. Entering H-1Bs should be prepared for the possibility of secondary inspection at the port of entry.
Economic stimulus guidance. Meanwhile, USCIS has issued guidance on the Employ American Workers Act (EAWA) to employers seeking to file H-1B petitions. EAWA was enacted to ensure that companies that receive funding under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) or the Federal Reserve Act do not displace U.S. workers. Under the legislation, any company that has received covered funding and seeks to hire new H-1B workers is considered an “H-1B dependent employer.” An H-1B dependent employer must make additional statements to the Department of Labor (DOL) regarding the recruitment and non-displacement of U.S. workers when filing a labor condition application (LCA).
Subsequent to the enactment of EAWA, USCIS revised its Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, to include a question asking whether the employer received covered funding.
USCIS said it understands that some businesses who received covered funding may have repaid their obligations and may not know how to respond to the question (A.1.d on the first page of the H-1B Data Collection and Filing Fee Exemption Supplement). Companies that have repaid their obligations under the law should answer “No” to question A.1.d. Those that wish to provide further information with the petition to assist USCIS in determining that their status for purposes of EAWA is correct may do so.
USCIS noted that a valid LCA must be on file with DOL when the H-1B petition (with a copy of the LCA) is filed with USCIS. Processing delays or a denial of the H-1B petition may result if the LCA does not correspond with question A.1.d of the H-1B petition, unless any inconsistency is explained to the satisfaction of USCIS. For example, if the LCA includes the additional statements, but question A.1.d is answered “no,” the employer can explain that it had received covered funding at the time of filing the LCA but repaid the obligation before filing the I-129. However, if the employer indicates on the petition that it is subject to the EAWA, but the LCA does not contain the proper declarations relating to H-1B dependent employers, USCIS will deny the H-1B petition.
USCIS additionally reminds employers that EAWA applies only to new hires and not to H-1B petitions seeking to change the status of a beneficiary working for the petitioning employer in another work-authorized category. It also does not apply to H-1B petitions seeking an extension of H-1B status for a current employee to continue working for the same employer.
Demand for H-1Bs is expected to increase somewhat this year, so early filing is recommended. Contact our office for assistance with H-1B petitions.
The EAWA guidance is available at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem. 5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/? vgnextoid=aeda00143ea96210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD& vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD. For more on H-1B admissions and scrutiny at ports of entry, see http://cyrusmehta.blogspot.com/2010/02/more-on-h-1b-admissions-at-newark.html.
2. State Dept. Proposes Fee Changes for Consular Services
The Department of State has proposed changes and increases to its schedule of fees for consular services, to take effect “as soon as practicable following the expiration of the 30-day public comment period” and after the Department has considered any public comments received. Written comments must be received within 30 days from February 9, 2010.
Among other things, the proposed rule establishes a tiered application processing fee for immigrant visas depending on the category, instead of the current $355 fee for all immigrant visas. The application fee for an employment-based visa processed on the basis of an I-140 petition will be $720. Other immigrant visa applications (including for diversity visa applicants, I-360 self-petitioners, special immigrant visa applicants and all others) will have a fee of $305. Certain qualifying Iraqi and Afghan special immigrant visa applicants are statutorily exempt from paying a processing fee. The application fee for a family-based visa processed on the basis of an I-130, I-600, or I-800 petition will be $330. The Department is also increasing the immigrant visa security surcharge from $45 to $74.
Those who apply for immigrant visas on the basis of having been selected by the diversity visa lottery will pay $440 instead of $375, based on an estimated 81,000 applications to be processed in fiscal year 2010.
Also, the proposed rule increases the adult passport application fee from $55 to $70. Certain consular services performed for no fee have been included in the fee schedule “so that members of the public will be aware of significant consular services provided by the Department for which they will not be charged.” Nonimmigrant visa fees, including those for machine-readable visas and border crossing cards, were included in a separate rule published on December 14, 2009.
The proposed rule, which was published on February 9, 2010, is available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-2816.pdf.
3. USCIS To Issue Revised Approval Notices for Certain I-129s and I-539s
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued an alert about certain Notices of Approval (Forms I-797) issued between January 20 and 27, 2010, with incorrect or missing information. The form types affected are the Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (Form I-129) and the Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (Form I-539).
USCIS has started mailing new approval notices with corrected information to affected I-129 petitioners and I-539 applicants. Petitioners and applicants who received incomplete or incorrect approval notices should not attempt to use them. USCIS estimates that approximately 500 incorrect I-797s were issued. Examples of errors on the approval notices of affected petitioners and applicants include:
- For the I-129, petitioners who requested multiple unnamed beneficiaries were issued an approval notice that lists only one unnamed beneficiary.
- For the I-539, some applicants were issued an approval notice with no validity dates listed.
Those who know or believe that their Notice of Approval was issued with incorrect or missing information but have not yet received a revised Notice of Approval should contact USCIS at the appropriate e-mail address listed in the USCIS alert, available at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem. 5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/? vgnextoid=72d059ac05b86210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD& vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD.
4. Kerry, Lugar Introduce Immigrant Entrepreneur Bill
Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced legislation on February 24, 2010, to help immigrant entrepreneurs secure visas to the United States.
The “StartUp Visa Act of 2010” would allow an immigrant entrepreneur to receive a two-year visa under a new EB-6 category, drawing from existing EB-5 visas, if he or she can show that a qualified U.S. investor is willing to dedicate a minimum of $250,000 to the immigrant’s startup venture. After proving that he or she has secured initial investment capital and if, after two years, the immigrant entrepreneur can show that he or she has generated at least five full-time jobs in the U.S., attracted $1 million in additional investment capital, or achieved $1 million in revenue, he or she would receive permanent resident status.
Sen. Kerry noted, “Everywhere Dick Lugar and I travel for the Foreign Relations Committee, we see firsthand the entrepreneurial spirit driving the economies of our competitors.” Sen. Lugar said the U.S. “should channel the power of innovative thinkers from around the world and American investors towards creating jobs and encouraging economic growth and future prosperity.”
More than 160 U.S. venture capitalists have endorsed the senators’ proposal.
5. USCIS Changes Filing Location for Employment Authorization Application
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has revised filing instructions and addresses for the Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765). The change of filing location is part of an overall effort to transition the intake of some benefit forms from Service Centers to USCIS Lockbox facilities, USCIS noted.
Applicants must now submit the I-765 to one of the USCIS Lockbox facilities or the USCIS Vermont Service Center, based on the classification under which they are filing. Detailed guidance can be found in the updated I-765 instructions. The Service Centers will forward incorrectly filed applications to the USCIS Phoenix and Dallas Lockbox facilities until March 26, 2010. After that date, applications incorrectly filed at USCIS Service Centers will be returned to the applicant, with a note to send the application to the correct location.
When filing the I-765 at one of the USCIS Lockbox facilities, the applicant may elect to receive an e-mail and/or text message notifying him or her that the application has been accepted. The applicant must complete an E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance (Form G-1145) and attach it to the first page of the application.
Form I-765 may be electronically filed (e-filed) with USCIS when submitted under certain categories.
The USCIS notice is available at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem. 5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/? vgnextoid=3ca0808dfb107210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD& vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010 VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD. For instructions, see http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem. 5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?v gnextoid=73ddd59cb7a5d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD& vgnextchannel=7d316c0b4c3bf110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD and http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-765instr.pdf.
6. USCIS Revises Permanent Residence Application, Changes Filing Locations
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on February 25, 2010, that it has posted a revised Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485) and changed the filing locations.
Beginning February 25, 2010, most applicants must submit the I-485 to a USCIS Lockbox facility, depending on the eligibility category under which they are filing, as provided in the form instructions. USCIS Service Centers will forward all I-485 applications to the appropriate Lockbox facility until March 29, 2010. USCIS will accept previous versions of the I-485 until March 29, 2010. After that date, USCIS will only accept the I-485 dated “12/03/09.” After the transition period, the Service Centers will return any incorrectly filed I-485 with instructions to send the application to the correct location.
USCIS said that applicants should not concurrently file an I-485 with an Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker (Form I-140) at a USCIS Lockbox facility. Applicants should refer to the I-140 filing instructions for information on how to file forms concurrently.
When filing the I-765 at one of the USCIS Lockbox facilities, the applicant may elect to receive an e-mail and/or text message notifying him or her that the application has been accepted. The applicant must complete an E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance (Form G-1145), and attach it to the first page of the application.
The revised form is available at http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-485.pdf. The announcement is available at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem. 5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/? vgnextoid=29d841959f607210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&v gnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD. Instructions and related links are available at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem. 5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/? vgnextoid=3faf2c1a6855d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD& vgnextchannel=dd346d26d17df110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD.
7. Labor Dept. Publishes H-2A Final Rule
The Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employment and Training Administration and Wage and Hour Division have published a final rule effective March 15, 2010, affecting various aspects of the temporary agricultural employment of H-2A workers.
In response to the proposed rule, the DOL received comments from a broad range of constituencies for the H-2A program, including individual farmers, farm workers, farm associations, farm worker advocate groups, agents, law firms, farm labor bureaus, State Workforce Agencies (SWAs), state government officials, members of Congress and committees, and various interested members of the public. Many of the comments challenged the DOL’s decision to engage in new rulemaking for the H-2A program. The DOL responded that it has inherent authority to change its regulations, and has justified doing so in the final rule.
Among other things, in the definition of corresponding employment, the DOL had proposed that all workers employed by H-2A employers doing work performed by H-2A workers be considered engaged in corresponding employment. The final rule adopts the language of the proposed rule. One change from the related 1987 rule is the addition of the phrase “or in any agricultural work performed by the H-2A workers.” The DOL said it added this language to address the adverse impact on U.S. workers when an H-2A employer engages H-2A workers in agricultural work outside the scope of work found in the approved job order, including work impermissibly performed outside the area of intended employment. The DOL explained that “domestic workers should not be disadvantaged when an employer violates the terms and conditions of the H-2A job order.” The final rule does not require that every worker on a farm be paid the H-2A required wage. It does require, however, that workers employed by an H-2A employer who perform the same agricultural work as the employer’s H-2A workers be paid at least the H-2A required wage for that work.
Also, the rule adds one factor to the circumstances that may be considered in determining whether an employer is a successor in interest. The change, as noted in the proposed rule, clarifies that whether the former management or persons with an ownership interest in the prior firm retain a management interest in the successor firm may be considered in the successor determination.
The final rule also makes various adjustments to the definition of agricultural labor or services. For example, it removes a provision that permitted certain non-agricultural work when no H-2B workers were employed to perform the same work in the same location. Such non-agricultural work may include activities like handling, planting, drying, packing, processing, freezing, grading, storing, or delivering agricultural or horticultural commodities. A commenter had expressed disappointment about the removal of that provision, stating that it was a major change and would adversely affect packing houses that might not be able to obtain H-2B workers due to the annual cap, and noting that H-2B workers often work alongside H-2A workers and their jobs are clearly in the stream of agriculture. The DOL said the provision was problematic because it allowed a farmer to employ both H-2A and H-2B workers to perform identical work, so long as the H-2A workers and H-2B workers were employed in different locations. But Congress clearly intended to create two separate programs, the DOL noted: one for H-2A agricultural work and another for H-2B non-agricultural work.
The final rule further removes references to incidental work from the definition of agricultural labor or services, in an effort to tighten up what kinds of work may be performed. For example, the final rule deletes a provision providing a blanket 20 percent tolerance for work outside the scope of the application. The DOL explained that it does not intend to debar an employer whose H-2A workers perform an insubstantial amount of agricultural work not listed in the application. The DOL said that it may take into account unplanned and uncontrollable events (such as a freeze that prevents planting or heavy rains that prevent harvesting) when considering the employer’s explanation, so long as the activities are within the scope of H-2A agriculture, have been occasional or sporadic, and the total time spent is not substantial. Further, the DOL noted, the debarment regulations require that a violation be substantial, and that a number of factors must be considered in making that determination, including an employer’s previous history of violations; the number of workers affected; the gravity of the violation; the employer’s explanation, if any; its good faith; and its commitment to future compliance. Under these criteria, the DOL said, the good-faith assignment of a worker to work not listed in the application for a small amount of time would not result in debarment.
The final rule, which also includes a long discussion of wage rates and adds the agreed-upon collectively bargained wage rate to the list of required wage rates, is available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-2731.pdf. A related fact sheet is available at http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20100198-fs.htm, and a news release is available at http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20100198.htm.
8. ETA Announces 2010 Adverse Effect Wage Rates and Maximum Meal and Travel Charges for H-2A Agricultural Worker Employers
The Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has announced the new 2010 Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWRs) and the 2010 maximum allowable meal and travel subsistence charges applicable to employers seeking to employ H-2A nonimmigrant workers to perform agricultural labor in the United States on a temporary or seasonal basis. The AEWR serves as the floor for the agricultural wage rates under the H-2A program.
The ETA noted that the H-2A AEWR is based on USDA data compiled through its Farm Labor Survey (FLS) Reports. The changes take effect March 15, 2010.
The ETA’s announcement, which includes a state-by-state table of AEWRs for 2010, is available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-3078.pdf.
9. ICE Updates List of SEVP-Approved Schools
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has released the latest updated list of Student and Exchange Visitor Program approved schools. The list is available at http://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/ApprovedSchools.pdf.
10. USCIS Issues Guidance on H Nonimmigrants in the CNMI and Guam
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has provided guidance for processing and adjudicating the Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (Form I-129) filed on behalf of H-1B specialty occupation and H-2B temporary non-agricultural workers in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Guam. The memo notes that H-1B and H-2B workers in the CNMI and Guam are exempt from the numerical limitations, or caps, for these categories. To qualify for this exemption under the H-1B classification, the prospective employer’s petition must include a labor condition application (LCA) listing employment or services in the CNMI and/or Guam only. To qualify under the H-2B classification, the petition must include a temporary labor certification (TLC) listing labor or services in the CNMI and/or Guam only.
The memo is available at http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Laws/Memoranda/2010/February/cnmi-guam-h-cap-exemption.pdf. A related Q&A is available at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem. 5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/? vgnextoid=a310bc3c1be96210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD& vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD.
New Publications and Items of Interest
E-Verify unauthorized worker detection rate. Westat has released an evaluation of the E-Verify program, which finds that “since the inception of E-Verify it has been clear that many unauthorized workers obtain employment by committing identity fraud that cannot be detected by E-Verify.” The report puts E-Verify’s inaccuracy rate for detecting unauthorized workers at approximately 54 percent.
The report is available at http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/E-Verify/E-Verify/Final%20E-Verify%20Report%2012-16-09_2.pdf. USCIS synopsis of the key findings and program implications is available at http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Native%20Docs/Westat%20Evaluation%20of%20the%20E-Verify%20Program.pdf.
High-skill immigration top blogger choice for economic recovery. The Kauffman Foundation has released the results of a survey of leading economics bloggers showing, among other things, that 63 percent support an increase in high-skill immigration to speed economic recovery. The report is available at http://www.kauffman.org/uploadedFiles/econ_blogger_outlook_q1_2010.pdf.
Undocumented statistics. The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Immigration Statistics has published Estimates of the Unauthorized Immigrant Population Residing in the United States: January 2009. The report provides estimates of the undocumented population residing in the U.S. by periods of entry, leading countries of birth, and states of residence.
The data show that between January 2008 and January 2009, the number of undocumented people living in the U.S. decreased seven percent, from 11.6 million to 10.8 million. Between 2000 and 2007, the unauthorized population grew by 3.3 million, from 8.5 million to 11.8 million. An estimated 8.5 million of the total 10.8 million undocumented persons living in the U.S. in 2009 were from the North America region, including Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. The next leading regions of origin were Asia (980,000) and South America (740,000). Mexico continued to be the leading source of unauthorized immigration to the U.S., with 62 percent of the undocumented population from Mexico. California remained the leading state of residence of the unauthorized population in 2009, with 2.6 million. The next leading state, Texas, had 1.7 million unauthorized residents, followed by Florida with 720,000.
The report is available at http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/statistics/publications/ois_ill_pe_2009.pdf.
DOS annual report on immigrant visa applicants. The Department of State (DOS) has released its annual report on immigrant visa applicants in the family and employment categories as of November 1, 2009. The figures reflect only petitions the DOS has received and do not include the significant number of applications pending at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, such as applications for adjustment of status. As of November 1, 2009, the DOS’s figures show that approximately 3.5 million immigrant visa applicants (and their spouses and children) are on the waiting list in the employment-based categories. That total includes 3,601 in the EB-1 category; 6,295 in EB-2; 119,759 in EB-3 (including 103,448 skilled and 16,311 other workers); 529 in EB-4; and 325 in EB-5. The report also includes listings of the countries with the highest number of waiting list registrants in each category.
The report is available at http://www.immigration.com/sites/default/files/annual_report_ Immvisa_applicants.pdf .
Haiti information. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has posted links to immigration information and resources available from USCIS and the Department of State in response to the Haiti earthquake. Included are links on temporary protected status, humanitarian parole, and special situations.
Government Agency Links
Follow these links to access current processing times of the USCIS Service Centers and the Department of Labor, or the Department of State’s latest Visa Bulletin with the most recent cut-off dates for visa numbers:
USCIS Service Center processing times online: https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/processTimesDisplayInit.do
Department of Labor processing times and information on backlogs: http://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/
To print or download this newsletter in PDF click this link:
Litwinlaw 3.1.2010 Newsletter (PDF version)
