Immigration News  |
| Changes in immigration that impact your life. |
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| Extension of H2B Returning Worker exemption |
| October 26, 2006 |
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| USCIS has announced that the “returning worker” exemption to the H2B numerical limitation has been extended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007. The one year extension of the “returning worker” provisions will remain in effect until September 30, 2007. |
| President signs Bill enacting H2B relief |
| October 19, 2006 |
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| The bill includes a one year extension of the returning worker exemption to the H2B visa cap. The extension takes effect beginning October 1, 2006. |
| H2B Update: Cap Count as of September 6, 2006 |
| September 19, 2006 |
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| U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reported that it has received 15,817 H2B petitions counting towards the H2B Cap for the first half of FY 2007, which is approximately onehalf of the 33,000 numbers set aside for the 1st half of FY 2007. |
| H2B Update: Cap Count as of August 25, 2006 |
| September 01, 2006 |
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| U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reported that it has received 9,002 H2B petitions counting towards the H2B Cap for the first half of FY 2007. |
| USCIS clarifies H2B Filing Procedures |
| August 01, 2006 |
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| USCIS has reminded employers who use the H2B nonimmigrant visa program to fulfill their temporary labor workforce needs that the “returning worker” provisions of the Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2005 are currently set to expire on October 1, 2006. |
| USCIS reaches H1B Advanced Degree Cap |
| July 31, 2006 |
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| U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has reached the H1B advanced degree cap of 20,000 established by Congress for fiscal year(FY) 2007. Petitions received on ‘final receipt date’, July 26, 2006, are subject to random selection process. |
| H1B Lottery: USCIS returns 90 to 100 cases filed on May 26 |
| June 19, 2006 |
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| USCIS has reported that it has completed the random lottery for the H1B cases received on the cutoff date of May 26, 2006 and approximately 90 to 100 cases filed on that day were returned; rest all qualifying under the H1B cap for FY 2007. |
| DOS changes position on L1 blankets |
| June 15, 2006 |
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| The reinstated twelvemonth requirement applies to an alien who is seeking initial classification as an L1 nonimmigrant on the basis of a blanket petition filed with USCIS irrespective of when the blanket petition was filed. |
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