New Student Initiative: Study in the States_Stay tuned.
Dear Readers, As with all USCIS or U.S. government ‘initiatives’ that you read about (here or anywhere), please be skeptical, patient, and generally don’t expect anything to happen immediately. It won’t. Further, the below does not mean that everyone, from every country, will be granted a student visa. That, I assure you, will not happen....
USCIS Public Charge_Welfare Fact Sheet
USCIS_Immigration_Green Card_Public Charge_Welfare Fact Sheet Released April 29, 2011 Introduction Public charge has been part of U.S. immigration law for more than 100 years as a ground of inadmissibility and deportation. An individual who is likely at any time to become a public charge is inadmissible to the United States and ineligible to become a...
H1b Cap Count_8/26/2011
FY 2012 H-1B Cap Count Cap Type Cap Amount Cap Eligible Petitions Date of Last Count H-1B Regular Cap 65,000 29,000 8/26/2011 H-1B Master’s Exemption 20,000 15,800 8/26/2011
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USCIS_Immigration_ Announces Initiative: Be Skeptical
USCIS_Immigration_ Green Card_ Announces Initiative: Be Skeptical Paul M. Heller, Esq: Beware and be skeptical – this ‘initiative’ is unlikely to change anything. USCIS’ culture and perspective on employment-based immigration is the opposite of what it should be. I’ve read the USCIS guidelines and there is nothing new, no new visa categories, additional visas or...
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THE NEW H1B REGISTRATION PROPOSAL: CLARIFICATION & QUESTIONS
There is lots of confusion about the proposal, what is required, and when it becomes ‘law’. The USCIS has made it clear that for fiscal year 2012, beginning October 1, 2011, the ‘H-1b lottery’, as it has become known, will remain the same. Full package H1b petitions will be accepted on April 1, 2011, without...
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Immigration Debate is Tiring….
The immigration debate is tiring; skilled, unskilled and brilliant – our country needs them all. Businesses should not be limited to only U.S. workers, nor should the government tell business who they can/cannot hire; nor should we encourage companies to set up shop and jobs overseas. Just the opposite.
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The Dream Act: Not Likely to Pass
I have two feelings about the Dream Act. One, I’d like it to pass. At the same time, I can see reasons to hold off. The other side calls it an amnesty, an open door.
H-1B close to the quota
H-1B Master’s Exemption is close to the quota (See the image below). To catch the quota before it runs out, call Immigration Lawyer Paul M. Heller, Esq. for a free consultation (1/800-863-4448).
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Top 10 booming-est and highest-paying jobs
Here is a list of top 10 U.S. careers with great pay and growth prospects: Rank Job title Job growth (10-year forecast) 1 Software Architect 34% 2 Physician Assistant 39% 3 Management Consultant 24% 4 Physical Therapist 30% 5 Environmental Engineer 31% 6 Civil Engineer 24% 7 Database Administrator 20% 8 Sales Director 15% 9...
Treaty Investors
Overview The Immigration and Nationality Act provides nonimmigrant visa status for a national of a country with which the United States maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation who is coming to the United States to carry on substantial trade, including trade in services or technology, principally between the United States and the treaty country,...
H-1B and the Layoff Economy
Contact Heller Immigration for a free consultation 1-800-863-4448 Today I want to talk again about employment-based immigration, specifically H-1B visas. In today’s uncertain job environment many individuals call me to want to know what to do in the event one is laid off or terminated. They ask, “Is there a grace period? How long do...
Importance Of Record Keeping
Record keeping is part of life. A good habit makes life a lot easier, especially in North America where we are bombarded with paperwork everyday. Good record-keeping and document organization is especially a good habit for immigrants as they may not only come in handy in the future but also help them to maintain their...
Backlog Centers FAQ
Backlog Centers: Frequently Asked Questions: What’s happening with my application for Alien Employment Certification for Permanent Employment in the United States? As part of our effort to improve the processing of permanent labor certification applications, Permanent cases from the Regional Offices and the State Workforce Agencies are being transferred to the ETA Backlog Processing Centers....
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Shoplifting And Immigration Consequences
Contact Heller Immigration for a free consultation 1-800-863-4448 When a person wishes to apply for a U.S. visa, change status in the U.S., apply to adjust status, become a naturalization U.S. citizen or reenter the United States after overseas travel, he or she may have to answer specific yet broad questions about any prior arrest...
Immigration For College Faculty Members
Immigration For College And University Faculty Members Because of their unique skill sets and recruitment process, college and university faculty members oftentimes can benefit from a shortened immigration process compared to other industry position holders. For example, senior faculty members or other scientific staffers of universities and colleges may qualify and apply for immigration as...
Public Benefits And Immigration Consequences
Receiving Public Benefits And Immigration Consequences “I’m a foreign student supported by my family back home. My child had to go to the emergency room. May my child receive Medicaid without violating my immigrant status?” “I am applying for my green card. My immigration form asks if I have received any public benefit. My children...
Modern Day Slaves – Immigrants
I am simply sick and tired of the immigrant bashing that’s going on in this country – the United States, also known as the Land of Opportunity. By now, it is the worst cliché to say that America is a country of immigrants; however, we all have such a short memory… Historically, whenever things went...
Marriage Beyond the Border
Love And Marriage Beyond The Border Love has no frontier. True love may overcome the differences in nationalities, culture, and language. The final hurdle to a successful marriage between citizens of two different countries is, ironically, immigration law. Everyday, U.S. Citizens and permanent residents decide to marry citizens of another country or individuals from their...
If A Visa Application Is Denied
What Do You Do When Your Visa Application Is Denied? Contact Heller Immigration for a free consultation 1-800-863-4448 People who are applying for non-immigrant (temporary) visas such as a visitor’s visa (B1 or B2) or student visa (F1), as well as those applying for permanent immigration, can be found ineligible for a visa based on...
Outstanding Researchers
Immigration For Outstanding Professors And Researchers Many prominent academic and research positions are now filled by foreign nationals on a temporary basis such as O-1 and H-1B, following many years of study and contribution to their fields. Many of these revered individuals choose to continue their work in the U.S. and therefore require an immigrant...
Extraordinary Ability
Self-Petitioning “Extra-ordinary Alien” Immigrant Category “The alien has extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics which has been demonstrated by sustained national or international acclaim and whose achievements have been recognized in the field through extensive documentation; the alien seeks to enter the United States to continue work in the area of...
FAQ for Foreign Students
What schools can F-1 foreign students attend? What documentation is required? How do I maintain the F-1 Status? What if I want to transferring to a different school? How Long Can a Student Stay under F-1 Status? What about employment? What considerations are there for change of status to H-1B? Can F-1 students own a...
Secrets About The F-1
Five (5) Secrets About The F-1 The following article was originally published in the Beijing Youth Daily (March 14, 2000), following U.S. Consul General David Hopper’s speech at Peking University. This article can also be found at the U.S. Consulate’s website. His speech addressed the five secrets of obtaining a U.S. student visa. We reproduce...
Recession Guide
Recession Guide For Foreign Workers And Their Employers In precarious economy, both the employers and employees feel the pressure to reduce expense and increase profit. Such pressure is even higher in foreign worker situations because the foreign workers’ immigration status depends on the specific employment. Typical situations that arise in a recession include reduction of...
Visa Information for Religious Workers
Work Authorization And Immigration For Religious Workers In a typical minority community in the U.S., immigrant members often find solace and strength in their religious organizations. Churches and temples not only serve as religious sanctuary but also a social community. Continuing their religious tradition is one way for immigrants to keep contact with their old...
Visa Information for Physicians
Attention Foreign National Physicians & International Medical Graduates Aren’t U.S. immigration laws ironic? These laws seem to apply more stringent standards on highly esteemed professions with clear shortages. The medical profession stands as a visible example of such shortages. For example, a recent issue of Business Week reports that the U.S. has fewer physicians per...
Information For Foreign Nurses
Hiring Foreign Nurses The shortage of nurse is a widely-open secret in the U.S. medical community. As immigration lawyers, we are frequently contacted by American health care facilities that are frustrated by the difficulty of finding qualified nurses and are looking for an alternative solution – foreign nurses. The occupation of nurse takes a special...
H-1B Conflict of Interest: Employer vs Employee
Contact Heller Immigration for a free consultation 1-800-863-4448 U.S. justice system, developed from the common law tradition, is described as an adversary system. That is, an advocate will represent one party against the other as we often see in the courtroom TV drama. However, not every category of the law can nicely fit into the...
Special Visas For Artists, Entertainers, and Athletes
In this article, I wish to discuss something more glamorous and fun – special visas for performing artists, entertainers, and athletes. With increased international exchange of cultural and athletic events, artists, entertainers, and athletes (e.g., actors, dancers, singers, golfers, racers, etc.) often need to travel to the U.S. for special events, productions, etc. Do they...
Change of Employment
Change of Employment After 180 Days Under AC21, I-140 Revocation Most employment-based immigrant petitioners and beneficiaries are aware that under certain conditions, alien beneficiaries may change jobs even before they obtain permanent residence. These conditions are delineated in the newly published law, AC21 S.106(c). Under this law, which is popularly phrased as the ‘180 day...
Small Business Immigration
One of the most commonly used visas for the new immigrant communities is the E-2 (non-immigrant) investor visa category. Nationals of countries, which have a treaty of commerce and navigation with the U.S., are allowed to live and work here so that they can successfully manage and direct a ’substantial’ investment. The true rationale behind...
Successful Immigration: Make a Business Plan
Last week, I had an opportunity to listen to a well-known business executive who leads a venture capital company. In the post-dotcom era, both individual and institutional investors have become much more careful. As a result, venture capital companies are now much more selective; it is no longer a sparkling idea that succeeds, but a...
Intra-Company Transferees
Many of our inquirers and existing clients are entering or have already entered the United States to work for the same company or a parent, affiliate or subsidiary. These individuals may utilize the preferred L-1 status. In order to facilitate international economic development, the L-1 category was created to allow foreign companies to temporarily transfer...
H-1B Specialty Occupations
Contact Heller Immigration for a free consultation 1-800-863-4448 For thousands of American employers, the H-1B visa program is the primary vehicle for bringing in professional level foreign employees. The H-1B visa allows workers in specialty occupations – areas that normally require a college degree – to work in the US for up to a total...
Change Of Status
Change Of Status from B-2 Visitor – An Immigration Landmine One of the most frustrating phone calls I receive as an immigration attorney is: “I’m here on B-2 with my family and want to stay here. How do I change my status?” 90% of such callers actually come to the U.S. with the full intent...
Visa Officer Dispels Rumor
The following article was originally published in the Beijing Youth Daily (June 8, 2000), following Mr. Charles Bennett’s telephonic answers to public queries on F-1 visa. This article can also be found at the U.S. Consulate’s website. Mr. Bennett, who is a chief of the visa section at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, clarifies prevailing...
Visa Story: Consular Processing
Contact Heller Immigration for a free consultation 1-800-863-4448 Do you wish to apply for a visitor, student, or other visa to enter the U.S. but feel worried that the U.S. Consulate in your home country will not issue you a visa? Have you changed your status in the U.S. and need to travel overseas but...
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The Heller Immigration Law Group, LLP (Toll free: 1.800.863.4448), also known as ‘HILG’, www.hilglaw.com, has specialized in employment-based and business immigration for corporate/HR, business, and individual clients for more than 25 years. With our headquarters now in Silicon Valley (Palo Alto, CA), near Stanford University, HILG has successfully processed an estimated 5000+ cases in...
