Important Visa Bulletin and I-485 Changes

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1 Important Visa Bulletin and I-485 Changes Tuesday, September 22, 2015 Beth Carlson Sarah Kilibarda Sari Long

2 Agenda Introduction Important Visa Bulletin & I-485 Filing Changes Updates on the F-1 OPT STEM Rule New Guidance on Matter of Simeio Solutions, LLC Final L-1B Specialized Knowledge Guidance Recent BALCA Decisions Impacting PERM Key I-9 and E-Verify Reminders Q&A 2

3 Visa Bulletin and I-485 Changes Major Change to Visa Bulletin Announced September 9 Starts October 1 Stems from Obama Administration s Visa Modernization Proposal Change in Visa Bulletin Content NOW two charts per Visa Preference Category Application Final Action Dates for employment-based preference cases Dates for filing employment-based visa applications Reading charts with a priority date what is a priority date? 3

4 Visa Bulletin and I-485 Changes Dates for Filing of Employment-Based Visa Applications Employment- Based All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed CHINAmainland born INDIA MEXICO PHILIPPINES 1st C C C C C 2nd C 01MAY14 01JUL11 C C 3rd 01SEP15 01OCT13 01JUL05 01SEP15 01JAN15 Other Workers 01SEP15 01JAN07 01JUL05 01SEP15 01JAN15 4th C C C C C Certain Religious Workers C C C C C 5th Targeted Employment Areas/ Regional Centers and Pilot Programs C 01MAY15 C C C 4

5 Visa Bulletin and I-485 Changes Application Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Preference Cases Employment- Based All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed CHINAmainland born INDIA MEXICO PHILIPPINES 1st C C C C C 2nd C 01JAN12 01MAY05 C C 3rd 15AUG15 15OCT11 08MAR04 15AUG15 01JAN07 Other Workers 15AUG15 01JAN06 08MAR04 15AUG15 01JAN07 4th C C C C C Certain Religious Workers 5th Non-Regional Center (C5 and T5) 5th Regional Center (I5 and R5) U U U U U C 08OCT13 C C C U U U U U 5

Visa Bulletin and I-485 Changes Additional Guidance from State Department What does this mean? How was this done? What will happen in the future with priority dates?

6 Visa Bulletin and I-485 Changes Additional Guidance from State Department What does this mean? How was this done? What will happen in the future with priority dates? Additional updates Filing I-485 Applications Starting October 1 Initial Guidance from USCIS Cancellation of USCIS Stakeholder Call on 9/16 Potential litigation? Allows for filing of I-765 Employment Authorization and I-131 Advance Parole Documents with I-485 Applications 6

7 Visa Bulletin and I-485 Changes Documentation Needed for Filing I-485 Applications Any changes in documents needed based on new process? What documents are needed? What about medical exams? Birth documents what are acceptable for filing? 7

8 Visa Bulletin and I-485 Changes Unanswered Questions from USCIS with New Process Validity of EAD/Advance Parole combination cards What if potential I-485 applicant can file based on I-140 approval with prior employer and new employer is still working on PERM and I-140 applications? Will I-485 portability apply to these applications? What are the risks? Are AC21 H-1B extensions affected with the new process? What if there is a court challenge? What will happen when the Obama Administration is no longer in office? Will USCIS release FAQs about this new process and outstanding questions? 8

9 F-1 OPT STEM Rule F-1 Optional Practical Training STEM Extension Started in April 2008 Additional 17-month extension of F-1 Optional Practical Training Program of study in STEM field Must work for E-Verify employer Employment Authorization Card Allows for change of employer during 17 months Allows for additional work authorization with limited number of H-1B visas available each year 9

10 F-1 OPT STEM Rule Recent Developments with Court Challenge Washington Alliance of Technology Workers filed lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security August 17, 2015 Decision U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Court vacated 17-month STEM extension described in 2008 rule Court stayed the decision until February 12, 2016 Allows time for DHS to submit 2008 rule for proper notice and comment DHS Working on Rule in Accordance with Court Decision What Will Happen in February 2016? 10

required for changes to work location Filed vs. approved before move?

11 Guidance on Matter of Simeio Solutions, LLC Precedent decision from AAO Change in work location is a material change Amended H-1B petitions now required for changes to work location Filed vs. approved before move? Retroactively applied? Applies to moves within the same MSA? Peripatetic in nature? 11

12 Guidance on Matter of Simeio Solutions, LLC Key Compliance Dates: For Changes to H-1B Work Location, Outside of MSA: Prior to April 9, 2015 April 9, 2015 August 19, 2015 August 19, 2015 January 15, 2016 Employers may CHOOSE to file amended H-1B petitions Employers MUST file amended petitions prior to January 15, 2016 Employers MUST file amended petitions before H-1B workers may change work locations Deadline for amended petitions filed for moves occurring between April 9 August 19, 2015 LCA on file for new location LCA on file for new location LCA on file for new location LCA on file for new location 12

13 Final L-1B Specialized Knowledge Guidance L-1B: Specialized knowledge intracompany transferees New USCIS guidance effective August 31, 2015: Special knowledge of the petitioning employer s product, service, research, equipment, techniques, management, or other interests and its applications in international markets that is demonstrably distinct or uncommon in comparison to that generally found in the particular industry or within the petitioning employer; or Advanced knowledge, which is knowledge or expertise in the organization s specific processes and procedures that is not commonly found in the relevant industry and is greatly developed or further along in progress, complexity and understanding than that generally found within the petitioning employer. 13

14 Final L-1B Specialized Knowledge Guidance Q1: 27.9% denial rate Q2: 30.1% denial rate Q3: 21.5% denial rate Q4:?? Q4 14

15 Recent BALCA Decisions and PERM The Good Logic wins (for once): Matter of Mphasis Corporation Follow the regulations: Matter of DGN Technologies, Inc. Dates are enough: Matter of A Cut Above 15

16 Recent BALCA Decisions and PERM The Bad But if you include, application can be denied: Matter of A Cut Above Letter-perfect applications: Matter of Kams Automotive Inc. Typed name not a valid signature: Matters of New York City Department of Education 16

17 Recent BALCA Decisions and PERM The Ugly Inconsistency Prevailing wage issues Technical issues PERM processing times/denial rates 17

18 I-9 and E-Verify Reminders Temporary Protected Status and I-9 completion E-Verify reauthorization and government shutdown 18

19 Q & A 19

20 Contact Information Beth E. Carlson Counsel Sarah R. Kilibarda Counsel Sari M. Long Associate

Basic Immigration Terms H-1B Visas Other Visa Types Green Card Sponsorship

Melissa B. Harms Immigration Attorney November 3, 2011 Law Office of Melissa Harms Basic Immigration Terms H-1B Visas Other Visa Types Green Card Sponsorship 2 Non-immigrant: Foreign national approved