USCIS Posts Updated FY07 H-1B Cap Usage Figures

USCIS has published H-1B usage for the next fiscal year (2007) which begins on 10/1/2006. As of 5/19/06, 42,876 have been granted or are pending and 5,358 have been granted or are pending in the advanced degree category. The following Web page is periodically updated by USCIS:

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/services/tempbenefits/cap.htm

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May 23, 2006

USCIS Designates New Categories for Premium Processing

On May 23, 2006 via publication in the Federal Register, the USCIS established future eligibility of EB-1, EB 2 (except NIW), and EB-3 I-140 petitions for premium processing, as well as premium processing for certain eligible I-765 and I-539 categories. The effective date will be published on the USCIS Website. (71 FR 29662, 5/23/06).

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May 18, 2006

USCIS Posts Updated Fiscal Year 07 H1-B Cap Usage Figures

Since the start of the new fiscal year on April 1, 2006, USCIS has approved 6,033 H-1B beneficiaries with an additional 28,775 applications pending (a total of 34,808 applications). USCIS has also approved 1,392 H-1B Advanced Degree beneficiaries with 3,246 applications pending (a total of 4,638 applications). The respective caps are 58,200 for H-1B visas (with an additional 6,800 set aside for the H-1B1 program until October 1, 2006) and 20,000 for H-1B Advanced Degree professionals. Updates are available at:

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April 24, 2006

DHS/USCIS Fact Sheet on Immigration Security Checks

The DHS/USCIS issues a Fact Sheet which provides details regarding immigration security checks, including the Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS) Name Check, the FBI Fingerprint Check and the FBI Name Check. The Fact Sheet may be accessed at: http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/publicaffairs/factsheets/security_checks_42506.pdf

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March 24, 2006

USCIS Provides Information on Bi-specialization Filing of I-129 and I-140 Petitions

Effective April1, 2006, the USCIS will have a new filing system for I-129 and I-140 Petitions. All I-129 petitions and related applications are to be filed at the VSC, and all I-140 petitions are to be filed at the NSC. The VSC and CSC will pair responsibility for the adjudication of I-129 petitions and related applications, and the NSC and TSC will be responsible for adjudication of I-140 petitions.
The VSC and NSC will forward petitions to their paired service centers for adjudication.
Petitions filed erroneously after April 1 will be forwarded to the correct service center.

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January 25, 2006

USCIS Announces a Standard RFE Response Timeframe

USCIS informed the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) that after 60 days it is appropriate to make inquiries on cases where a timely a response to a Request for Evidence had been made and no decision has been received from USCIS. If, upon making a telephone inquiry, the matter remains unresolved after an additional 30 days, then the proper liaison channels for that jurisdiction should be utilized.

For more USCIS updates, please visit:

http://uscis.gov/graphics/publicaffairs/pachron.htm