Immigration Updates

On May 4, 2018, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Honduras would be terminated, effective January 5, 2020.  Beginning January 1999 following the devastation of Hurricane Mitch, the TPS designation allowed certain Hondurans with continuous residence in the United States […]

U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that the CIS received 190,098 FY-2019 H-1B petitions during the filing period from April 2 – 6, 2018. This total number includes 94,213 filed under the Regular Cap and 95,885 filed under the Master’s Cap.  The annual H-1B quota is 85,000, which includes […]

U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) updated guidance on the OPT STEM extension program that allows F-1 STEM program graduates to obtain an additional 24 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) work authorization to work for employers that participate in the Government’s E-Verify program.  Third-party placement, such as placement at […]

In April 2018, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced an upcoming expansion of the Biometrics Program, which first began in 2013 and currently requires nationals of 30 countries to submit fingerprints and a photograph when applying for a temporary resident visa (TRV), work permit, or study permit. The expansion […]