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Government Relations Updates

From the Agencies: A Message from ACIP’s Manager of Agency Liaison

Tue, 05/21/2013
Hello ACIP Members.  It’s mid-May and that means the ACIP staff is working very hard on our last minute preparations for this year’s Symposium!  It has been an exciting year already with major immigration legislation being introduced and you definitely don’t want to miss the Symposium this year.  It’s not too late… Register now at www.acipSymposium.com!
 
It’s not just legislation: it continues to be an active year for the agencies as well. 
 
This month, my update covers:
 
  • Reflections on my recent visit to the Texas Service Center and the Lewisville Lockbox
  • An update on I-94 automation, including issues I have heard with the website and information about when a printed I-94 is necessary
  • Mandatory SEVIS checks upon entry for F-1s, J-1s and M-1s
  • Results from recent Questions of the Week regarding employees working on projects at other client worksites, the CIS Ombudsman’s office, administrative checks and “completion of requirements” letters for H-1Bs
  • Visa bulletin update – Little movement for India, strong advancement for China

As always, reach out to me anytime with your issues, concerns or questions at justin_storch@acip.com.

Please click through to read the full update.

Full text available to ACIP members only. Contact us to inquire about membership.


ACIP Legislative Director Update: What Do You Need to Know about the Senate’s Comprehensive Immigration Bill (S. 744)?

Mon, 04/29/2013
There is no denying that the immigration debate is in full swing in Washington!  To help you learn more about the key sections of “The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act,” (S. 744) introduced by the Gang of Eight on April 16, 2013, we encourage you to read ACIP’s  detailed chart summary on the key provisions of the bill that will impact your organization and immigration practice the most.

While the bill’s text as introduced will change over the course of the coming months through amendments and a Senate Judiciary Committee mark up, the overall framework of the bill will remain the same.  Reading ACIP’s summary will help you learn the ins and out of the bill, as we work on the ground in the months to come to improve some concerning provisions in the bill on H-1B and L-1 visas, as well as employment verification.  We anticipate markup on the bill will happen as early as May and if a bill passes out of the Senate Judiciary Committee a bill could be on the Senate floor as early as June!  The time to educate yourself and your organization on the Senate bill is now!  And, if you use the H-1B visa, the L-1 visa and E-Verify you should register for ACIP’s June 3 Advocacy Day to help ensure these programs remain usable to your organization and that the bill reflects what employers need! 
 
Here are some of the bill’s key highlights that you can get more details on in ACIP’s chart summary:

Full text available to ACIP members only. Contact us to inquire about membership.


From the Agencies: A Message from ACIP’s Manager of Agency Liaison

Fri, 04/19/2013
Hello ACIP Members.  April 1 has come and gone, H-1Bs are filed and spring is here, so it’s time to sit back and do a little light reading, right?  Can I make a recommendation?   It’s called the “Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act.”  It’s a breezy, 844 page Senate immigration bill that could completely change the way you do business.  Don’t worry, I won’t spoil the ending!
 
The ACIP governmental affairs team is dissecting the bill for hidden treasures - including me, but Lynn Shotwell and Rebecca Peters are doing the heavy lifting.  We’re working on a detailed summary which we will release next week.  In the meantime, it’s time for my monthly agency update.
 
This month, my update covers:
  • A few highlights of the Senate bill from the agency perspective, including expansion of the CIS Ombudsman’s office and creation of a  Bureau of Immigration and Labor Market Research
  • Information about H-1B cap case processing, including when non-selected cases will be returned
  • An update on the automated I-94 including a timeline for rollout and its effect on agencies outside of CBP
  • An update from the most recent DOL stakeholder meeting and OFLC’s renewed focus on prioritization
  • Information about my upcoming trip to the Dallas area including three opportunities for ACIP members
  • Results from recent Questions of the Week regarding OES wage levels,  EB-1 Extraordinary Ability / Outstanding Professors and Researchers, H-1B cap filings and DOL prevailing wage requests
  • Visa bulletin update – Stagnation for India and Advancement for China
  • USCIS processing times – Steady rates as H-1B processing begins
  • A round up of our outreach on the new Form I-9 including a webinar, Twitter chat and Facebook chat

 

For the full agency update, please read the full version of this article.

Full text available to ACIP members only. Contact us to inquire about membership.


Legislative Director Update: Anticipation and Inspiration Surround Immigration and Advocacy on the Hill

Thu, 03/28/2013
Anticipation and Inspiration Surround Immigration and Advocacy on the Hill

With an H-1B lottery likely looming at the end of next week and the U.S. Senate Gang of Eight’s comprehensive immigration reform bill set to meet its deadline for introduction the week of April 8, we ACIP at are anticipating many exciting moments in the immigration debate very soon and we hope we will be your go to resource for all of the answers you need!  Of course, as we eagerly await these moments that will change the very fabric of the debate, I want to take the opportunity to reflect on three extremely timely questions:
  • What will ACIP be looking for on introduction of the Senate Gang of Eight’s bill? 
  • Why does your voice matter in the debate this year?
  • How can you get involved with ACIP’s advocacy to better ensure any key legislation meets your organization’s needs?

Please click through to read the full update.

Full text available to ACIP members only. Contact us to inquire about membership.


From the Agencies: A Message from ACIP’s Manager of Agency Liaison

Fri, 03/22/2013
Hello everyone.   As I write this, March Madness is just getting underway.  While this is a great time of year for college basketball fans, immigration professionals across the country are experiencing a different kind of March Madness: H-1B filing season.  With a potential lottery looming, cap season is as stressful as ever.  With a new I-9 form to implement in a short time period, automated I-94s on the horizon, and sequestration looming over the agencies, there doesn’t look to be much relief after the filing season is over.
 
ACIP members will persevere, and if you have a few minutes to spare, I hope you’ll take the time to read this update on agency developments.
 
This month, my update covers:
  • H-1B cap season – Premium Processing cases held until April 15
  • New Form I-9 becoming mandatory on May 7
  • Automated I-94s going into effect, probably in late April
  • The potential effect sequestration will have on USCIS – Will processing slow down?
  • Secretary of Labor nominee Tom Perez
  • CIS Ombusdman discussion regarding EB-5s
  • Questions of the Week regarding E-Verify, benefits for employees, EB-3 green cards and EAR and ITAR compliance
  • Visa bulletin update – Processing dates advancing slightly
  • A link to our recent Global Entry webinar and information about how you can register for Global Entry at our symposium in June, which will allow you to speed through TSA checkpoints
  • A reminder to complete our benchmarking survey to build your knowledge base of our members’ immigration practices!

 

As always, reach out to me anytime with your issues, concerns or questions at justin_storch@acip.com. 

Please read the full version of this article for the full update.

Full text available to ACIP members only. Contact us to inquire about membership.


Legislative Director Update: While the Sequester Remains a Focus, the Immigration Debate Keeps Moving Forward and ACIP is Out Educating Policymakers

Thu, 02/28/2013
Given the overload of reading on the sequester this week, I was happy that yesterday I had the opportunity to break from the twenty-four hour news cycle to take part in an immigration roundtable with the Chairman of the House’s Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security, Trey Gowdy (R-SC).  The roundtable was timely, as immigration is likely one of the next issues Congress will be turning to in the coming weeks and months.

Full text available to ACIP members only. Contact us to inquire about membership.


From the Agencies: A Message from ACIP’s Manager of Agency Liaison

Fri, 02/22/2013
Hello everyone. I hope you all have had another fantastic month. As I write this, there are 38 days left until April 1. For those of you who have H-1B cap cases to file, I don’t envy you! If you have a few minutes to dig your way out from under those blue forms, duplicate filings and Fed Ex and UPS envelopes, here’s an update about what’s going on at the immigration agencies.
 
This month, my update covers:
 
  • The H-1B cap and when we can expect it to be hit (a little hint: file by April 1!)
  • The effect that sequestration will have on the immigration agencies
  • Proposed revisions to the Blanket L Form regarding offsite placement - your input needed
  • Public comments submitted by ACIP on RFE Templates for O-Visas and a proposed E-Verify survey
  • A round-up of recent and upcoming stakeholder events
  • Results of ACIP Questions of the Week regarding FDNS Site Audits, priority issues at DOS, and management of immigrations compliance for international travelers
  • Processing times and visa bulletin updates
  • Recent ACIP webinars

Full text available to ACIP members only. Contact us to inquire about membership.


Legislative Director Update: Seize the Opportunity and Advocate with ACIP on Immigration Reform in 2013!

Tue, 01/29/2013
So, I know . . . ACIP members have heard me say this many times in years past, but this year we do have the best shot in quite some time to reform our immigration laws, so it is our responsibility and opportunity to shape the debate as the voice of high skilled employers. As advocates on behalf of your organizations, you know all too well that it has been nearly six long years since we had the ability to truly reform our immigration system comprehensively. With policymakers and leaders finally focused on changing our immigration laws, from now until the summer is our window of opportunity to better align the outdated immigration system with your needs.

Full text available to ACIP members only. Contact us to inquire about membership.


From the Agencies: A Message from ACIP’s Manager of Agency Liaison

Thu, 01/24/2013
 
 
I hope 2013 is getting off to a great start for our ACIP members across the country.  Here in Washington, we have gone from unseasonably warm weather last week to the coldest weather in two years this week, and we are expecting to be back to unseasonably warm weather next week.  The lack of predictability makes it hard to do any advance planning.  Come to think of it, there are some similarities between Washington weather and our immigration system!
 

Full text available to ACIP members only. Contact us to inquire about membership.