More than 100,000 young immigrants protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program will soon gain access to federal healthcare coverage through the Affordable Care Act.  The DACA program, first implemented in 2012, provides deportation relief and work permits to undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. But DACA recipients have, up until now, been excluded from federally funded health insurance programs. This policy change, set to take effect November 1, 2024, is expected to extend healthcare access to an estimated 100,000 previously uninsured DACA pa ..read more

Recent statements by Senator Marsha Blackburn about revoking visas and deporting international students involved in campus protests have brought up important questions about the rights of immigrants, green card holders, and students on visas when it comes to protesting in the United States. We’re here to help you understand your rights and navigate this complex topic. Your Constitutional Right to Protest as an Immigrant While Blackburn’s remarks underscore a heightened sensitivity to national security and campus safety, they also raise critical questions about the legal and constitutional righ ..read more

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is taking innovative steps to modernize the U.S. immigration system with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). Unveiled in March, the agency initiative is focusing on the ethical and responsible use of AI while aiming to make the immigration process faster, fairer, and more efficient. What Could AI Mean for U.S. Immigration? Faster USCIS Processing Times: AI can automate tasks like data entry and document review, freeing immigration officers to focus on the complexities of specific cases. This could significantly reduce wait times for applicants ..read more

The H-1B visa lottery, a vital pathway for skilled foreign workers to enter the U.S. tech sector, has hit a major turning point. Applications for fiscal year 2025 have plummeted by 38%, a dramatic shift fueled by both new regulations targeting fraud and the tech industry’s recent economic woes. What Changed and Why No More Lottery Spam: New rules from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) now limit applicants to a single lottery entry, regardless of how many job offers they have. This aims to prevent companies from flooding the system with duplicate applications to boost their ..read more

The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) recent ban on non-compete clauses marks a significant shift in the talent landscape, particularly for HR professionals supporting immigrant workers. While this decision opens up new possibilities, it also challenges companies to prioritize retention in a more competitive market. Navigating the Double-Edged Sword The FTC’s move empowers immigrant workers to move more freely between companies, creating a wider talent pool for HR teams.  However, this newfound mobility also means businesses must emphasize loyalty and engagement to retain their top talent ..read more

According to recent data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), over 1.2 million Indians are currently waiting for employment-based green cards. This group of highly-skilled professionals and their dependents now face a possibly decades-long wait to obtain permanent residency based on the current backlog. What the Data Shows The USCIS figures, analyzed by the National Foundation for American Policy, reflect approved Form I-140s (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) as of November 2, 2023. The applicants in question are waiting in the first, second, and third employment-based g ..read more

At a Glance Let’s take a closer look at an important date which can impact timing for employment-based green cards: the PERM Priority Date. PERM Labor Certifications A PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) Labor Certification is a crucial step in the process for employers seeking to sponsor international employees for employment-based green cards in the U.S. It’s administered by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and is designed to ensure that the employment of foreign workers will not negatively impact the job opportunities, wages, or working conditions of U.S. workers.  Completi ..read more

If you’re applying for a green card from within the United States (otherwise known as the “adjustment of status” process), you may have heard about Form I-765 and Form I-131.  Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) and Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) allow green card applicants to work legally in the U.S. and travel in and out of the country while the green card is pending. Let’s dive into the pros and cons of including the work permit and travel permit forms in your green card application. Do I Need to Include These Forms in My Green Card Application? Includi ..read more

When moving to a new country, people often encounter terms like “Permanent Resident” and “Citizen.” While both statuses allow you to reside in a country legally, they carry distinct rights, responsibilities, and implications. Permanent Resident Status Permanent Resident status (also known as a “Green Card” in the U.S.) is a legal designation granted to foreign nationals in many countries. It signifies a long-term right to reside in the host country, with certain limitations. Here are some key features of lawful Permanent Resident status: Residency Rights: Permanent Residents are allowed to l ..read more

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced changes to the automatic extension period for certain employment authorization documents (EADs), saving nearly 800,000 EAD renewal applicants from a lapse in work authorization. Automatic extensions will now go up to 540 days, a significant improvement from the previous 180-day period. USCIS estimates that approximately 60,000 to 80,000 employers across the U.S. would have been negatively impacted as a result of the lapse. Interested in our biweekly business immigration newsletter? Enter your email below. Thank you for your interest i ..read more