All posts by Jon Velie
The RAISE Act and Possible Changes to Non-immigrant Visa Programs
With half a dozen bills looming in congress addressing various reforms to the H-1B visa program, many are concerned what this could mean for the current filing season. Bills have been introduced which
Continue readingPresident Trump’s ‘Buy American, Hire American’ Executive Order Will Lose American Jobs and Companies
On April 18, 2017 at a manufacturer plant in Kenosha, Wisconsin, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order entitled “Buy American, Hire American.” He signed the order in Wisconsin to fulfil
Continue readingUSCIS Policy Memo Provides Process to Reduce H-1B visas for Computer Programmers
On March 31, 2017, USCIS released a policy memorandum which could severely impact whether computer programmers from abroad can continue to utilize the H-1B visa. The agency stated that the change in policy
Continue readingSuspension of Premium Processing for H-1B Visa Applications
On March 3rd, 2017, USCIS announced that beginning April 3rd, 2017 they will temporarily suspend premium processing for all H-1B petitions. Premium processing services is normally requested by filing form
Continue readingDecoding the Trump Administration’s New Immigration Order
When the Trump Administration signed its original executive order blocking travel into the US from 7 predominately Muslim countries and barring Syrian refugees, protest broke out across the country and
Continue readingUnintended Consequences of Changes in H-1B Immigration Policies
Today is seeing a charged political conversation about how H-1B highly-skilled non-immigrant visas affect the economy, corporations, and the workforce. Approximately two-thirds of requests for H-1B
Continue readingHow IT Consulting Companies Can Comply With H-1B Visa Requirements
IT consulting companies are the heaviest utilizers of H-1B visas. The need for skilled professional workers, especially in hi-tech, produces a large demand for both short and long term assignments to American
Continue readingFrom Doctors to Dishwashers: A Day without Immigrants in the United States
On February 16, 2017, businesses across the United States closed as immigrants protested in “A Day without Immigrants”. The goal was to show how integral immigrants are to the fabric of American life.
Continue readingLofgren’s ‘High-Skilled Integrity and Fairness Act of 2017’ and the Future of the H-1B Visa
On January 30, 2017, legislation by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren was introduced in the US House of Representatives. If passed, this legislation would drastically change the H-1B landscape for the American
Continue readingWhat President Trump’s Proposed Executive Order on Immigration Could Mean for America
On January 30th, 2017 a preliminary copy of an executive order on immigration was leaked from the White House. Dated January 23rd, 2017, the leaked document entitled “Executive Order on Protecting American
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