A rule change by the Department of Labor that would have required employers sponsoring H-1B visa candidates to pay those workers a much higher salary than U.S. citizens in the same field is off the table, at least for the moment. Traditionally, when sponsoring a would-be employee for H-1B status, an employer would have to agree to pay the worker the prevailing wage, based on the average wages of people working similar jobs in the same industry. But the Department of Labor's proposed rule change would raise the necessary wage for H-1B workers anywhere from 21 to 41 percent. The likely effect in ..read more

A federal judge in December nullified a Trump Administration plan that applied harsh restrictions on the H-1B visa program, which has long been a crucial way for businesses, start-up companies and health care facilities recruit and retain highly skilled foreign workers. In the Dec. 1 ruling in Oakland, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White struck down the drastic rule changes to the H-1B visa program. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which announced the changes in October, claimed they were necessary in order to protect U.S. workers because of job losses due to COVID-19. The Trump Adminis ..read more

For many people in the United States through a visa program or possibly an asylum request, securing a Permanent Resident Card or Green Card is their ultimate objective. In theory, this critical document allows you to stay in the United States indefinitely. Lawful permanent residents enjoy more rights and protections than those in the country on visas. However, they do not have total protection from deportation or removal from the United States. There are circumstances where even those who have been in the country for many years could wind up deported because of criminal charges. Repeat offende ..read more

Foreign nationals who wish to work in California on an H-1B visa may face additional hurdles. An analysis has shown that United States Citizenship and Immigration Services is turning down these visas at a high rate even when top companies are trying to hire highly skilled workers. However, those denial rates may start dropping based on a court settlement. More denials for IT companies An analysis by the National Foundation for American Policy found that among the 25 companies with the highest rate of hiring people with new H-1B visas, denial rates were higher in the first two quarters of fisca ..read more

Immigration has never been a fast process. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) takes months to process individual applications. Even those with competitive skills and an employment offer from a domestic company can still struggle with entry into the United States. People can wait years for their application to receive approval or for their turn to win in an immigration lottery for the most popular visas. Those with pending applications and those hoping to adjust their status may soon find that they have to wait longer than they did in the past. It will likely take eve ..read more

The Trump Administration's efforts to stop the DACA program have been halted for now by the Supreme Court. However, the Administration has been dragging its feet when it comes to reopening the program and accepting new applications. A federal district judge has now issued an order to compel the government to restore the DACA program back to where it was before the Administration tried to end it. The attempt to end DACA was illegal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is a program designed to keep individuals who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children in the country. It was created by ..read more

If you already live in the United States thanks to a green card or permanent resident card or through a work-related nonimmigrant visa, the idea of becoming a naturalized citizen may have already crossed your mind. Naturalization allows someone born in another country to officially become a United States citizen. However, there are special requirements for naturalized citizens that many immigrants might find intimidating. For many people, the biggest deterrent to the naturalization process is knowing that there will be a pair of tests required before they secure their citizenship. The United S ..read more

The J-1 exchange visitor visa program allows people from other countries to come to California for limited periods to participate in specific programs. This program allows visitors to come to the U.S. to work as camp counselors, au pairs, specialists, or teachers. It also allows students to study in the U.S. at approved institutions. The Department of State is responsible for designating private and public entities to sponsor exchange visitors. Applying for a J-1 visa People who want to apply for a J-1 visa should start by looking at the Department of State's website to find programs that spon ..read more

When it comes to immigration law, it’s natural to have questions and concerns. For example, you may not know what type of visa applies to your situation, thus resulting in you spending time on something that doesn’t make sense. Fortunately, when you understand the most common immigration myths, you can take steps to prevent them from slowing you down. Here are some myths that have sunk many people before you: You can’t petition for a parent to become a United States citizen: Despite the widespread circulation of this myth, you still have the legal right to petition for one or both of your par ..read more

Those who work as broadcasters may decide to make southern California their home. However, if they are foreign nationals working for the United States Agency for Global Media, they may wish to apply for a green card to become permanent residents along with their spouse and children. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, defines the term of a broadcaster to include a myriad of media categories, such as writer, editor, announcer, news analyst, broadcast host and reporter. There are 100 visas issued annually to those in the broadcast profession; however, that amount does not includ ..read more