The Biden administration is keen on bringing meaningful immigration reforms; an immigration reform bill was introduced on February 18, 2021, Congress. And SESO Labor, a small California startup, has raised $4.5 million to ensure that farms have access to legal migrant farmworkers. » Read More
The coveted EB-5 program is reaching its time of testing when Congress will decide whether to renew it or not. The EB-5 investor immigration program, created in 1990, has a sunset provision that could lead to its expiration by June 30, 2021. » Read More
On December 3, 2020, the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer entered a precedential decision in Martine Mbitaze v. City of Greenbelt, 13 OCAHO 1345b, a case arising out of the employment discrimination provision of 8 U.S.C. 1324b. In October 2019, Mbitaze had filed a complaint against the City of Greenbelt alleging that the city had refused to hire her based on her national origin and citizenship status and had engaged in document abuse in violation of 8 U.S.C. » Read More
Trump Administration Extends Restrictions on Visa Applications for Foreign Workers
The White House has extended through March 31, 2021, restrictions on visa applications and entry into the United States for certain foreign national workers. The restrictions had been set to expire on December 31, 2020. » Read More
Immigration & Customs Enforcement Extends I-9 Flexibility Rules
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) has announced that it will extend its flexibilities for compliance with I-9 regulations until at least January 31, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The flexibilities in I-9 compliance were set to expire on December 31, 2020. » Read More
On December 3, 2020, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced it had filed a lawsuit against Facebook Inc., alleging discrimination against U.S. workers. This lawsuit, construed as a new push against tech companies by the administration, alleged that Facebook reserved positions for skilled workers with temporary work visas. » Read More
On December 2, 2020, the Senate passed bill S.386, the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2020. The Senate reached unanimous consent, and the bill was passed as amended. This Act would lift caps on the number of immigrants who can be approved for permanent residency permits (“green cards”), making significant changes to the employment green card system. » Read More
A lawsuit has been filed against the new Department of Labor (DOL) H-1B wage rule, seeking a preliminary and permanent injunction. Many analysts, such as the National Foundation for American Policy and economic researchers, believe that the new H-1B wage rule acts as a deterrent to H-1B employers by significantly raising the minimum wage required to employ foreign workers. » Read More
