10 December

Sticky

DOJ Sues Facebook for Its Preference for Foreign Workers

Posted by admin

When we hear “discrimination” in a professional setting, what first comes to mind is usually the lack of equal opportunities for minorities and foreign workers. However, a recent lawsuit against Facebook, Inc. fights against the inequality faced by American workers. December 3rd, 2020, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Facebook, Inc. for discriminating against American workers and preferring foreign workers during their re-cruiting process. The Department of Justice had been collecting evidence in the past two years. It pointed out that from January 1st, 2018 to September 18th, 2019, Facebook routinely preferred visa holders, including H-1B holders, for jobs connected...

05 December

0 Comments

Sticky

H-1B Rules Blocked: Your Perfect Opportunity to Apply for H-1B Visas!

Posted by admin

in C.T.LEE & Associates Blog

Great news for all the H-1B applicants out there! On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Jeffery White of Northern District of California blocked both Trump administration policies that tighten the H-1B program. 2020 has been a challenging year for everyone, especially for H-1B applicants. The Trump administration has released several executive orders targeting the H-1B program. The most damaging ones were proposed in October when the Department of Labor drastically raised the prevailing wages, and the Department of Homeland Security redefined many terms that are critical in determining H-1B applications. These rules change the fates of many applicants who were initially qualified...

07 November

0 Comments

Sticky

Immigration After the 2020 Presidential Election

Posted by admin

in C.T.LEE & Associates Blog

Since Election Day on November 3rd, the entire country has been anxiously waiting for the result of the vote count. After all, this country's fate for the next four years will be determined by this election. Immigration is among one of the many topics that the candidates hold drastically different approaches. Those studying, working, or immigrating to the United States, are just as concerned as citizens about the election outcome. The winner will also determine their fates for the next four years. Donald Trump has implemented numerous executive orders, although many blocked, targeting immigrants, international students, and foreign workers. Many are hoping...

06 November

0 Comments

Sticky

Immigration After the 2020 Presidential Election

Posted by admin

in C.T.LEE & Associates Blog

Since Election Day on November 3rd, the entire country has been anxiously waiting for the result of the vote count. After all, the fate of this country for the next four years will be determined by this election. Immigration is among one of the many topics that the candidates hold drastically different approaches. Those who are studying, working, or immigrating to the United States, despite some do not have the right to vote, are just as concerned as citizens about the outcome of the election, for that their fates for the next four years will also be determined by the winner, and the immigration policies he endorses. Donald Trump has implemented numerous executive orders, although many blocked, targeting...

30 October

0 Comments

Sticky

Trump Proposes to Abolish the H-1B Lottery System

Posted by admin

in C.T.LEE & Associates Blog

It was only recently when policies on H-1B were vastly tightened, although whether those rules will stay effective is still to be found out. While the Trump administration is still in lawsuits with universities and company alliances for the last H-1B rule, they proposed a new one, again. The Trump administration has proposed to abolish the H-1B lottery system. Under the current system, the USCIS conducts a lottery and selects petitioners randomly when the cap of 65,000 for regular petitioners and 20,000 for higher academic degree petitioners are reached. A petitioner can only be qualified after being selected. Under the new rule,...

21 October

0 Comments

Sticky

Trump Administration Sued Over New H-1B Rules

Posted by admin

in C.T.LEE & Associates Blog

On October 6th, the U.S. Department of Labor and Department of Homeland Security, without any prior notice, announced rules that hugely impact the H-1B visa. As a result of the Department of Labor's rule, the prevailing wage (minimum wage paid to H-1B workers) skyrocketed. On the other hand, the Department of Homeland Security rules that H-1B workers will have to work at occupations that directly relate to their degree of bachelor or higher level. The rule from DHS also limits the period of validity of third-party sites H-1B visas to a maximum of a year, compared to the previous three years. These rules disqualify many that...

27 August

0 Comments

Sticky

USCIS Averts Furlough, but Backlogs Increased

Posted by admin

in C.T.LEE & Associates Blog

Due to budget shortfalls, USCIS previously announced that about 13,000 of its employees would be furloughed after August 30th due to severe budget shortfalls. On August 25th, USCIS averted furloughs for its workforce, ordering employees to continue working at their previous positions. USCIS explains that after implementing aggressive cuts in its spending, the agency will operate normally until at least the end of FY 2021. Joseph Edlow, USCIS Deputy Director for Policy, states that to avert this furlough, the agency has made great efforts to reduce its spendings. The most direct impacts of this decision are backlogs, large increases in case waiting times,...

21 August

0 Comments

Sticky

I-9 Flexibility Due to EAD Delays

Posted by admin

in C.T.LEE & Associates Blog

USCIS announced on August 19 that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the production of 75,000 Employment Authorization Documents had been delayed. Therefore, USCIS has allowed applicants to submit an I-797 Approval Notice of form I-765 as a temporary replacement of the EAD as a List C document supporting form I-9. This rule is only applicable to I-797’s with Notice dates from December 1, 2019, to August 20, 2020. This rule is effective until December 1, 2020. If the employee submits an I-797 in place of the EAD as a List C document, the employer must reverify the employee by December 1, 2020, when...

18 August

0 Comments

Sticky

Beware of This If You are on OPT

Posted by admin

in C.T.LEE & Associates Blog

The OPT (Optional Practical Training) program is offered to F-1 visa holders and allows them to work legally in the United States for 12 months. Many graduates take OPT as their chance to take on internships at their desired companies. However, OPT participants need to remember that the application process is not the only time that requires action from them to be granted and maintain their OPT status. Federal regulations require F-1 holders to notify their Designated School Officials(DSO) of any changes made to their personal/employment information within ten days. DSOs will then update SEVIS with this information within 21 days. OPT participants are...

15 August

0 Comments

Sticky

H-1B and L-1 Bans Loosened!

Posted by admin

in C.T.LEE & Associates Blog

Ever since April, the Trump Administration has been drafting numerous bans that target immigrants. On June 22nd, he banned applicants of H-1B and L-1 visas from entering the country. The ban will last until December 31st. On August 12th, however, this ban was loosened. The State Department announced that for the sake of the U.S. financial recovery, H-1B and L-1 applicants seeking to return to their original positions and employers will be issued visas and allowed to return to the U.S. Of course, a series of qualifications need to be met for one to be granted an exception. Let us take a look at how...

CONTACT US NOW

START CONSULTATION

C.T.LEE & Associates Blog

CONTACT US