Articles on I-9 Compliance

New Version of Form I-9 Required Effective November 1, 2023

Effective November 1, 2023 a new Form I-9 containing an edition date of 08/01/2023 must be used by all employers. Learn about the new changes. - Read More

I-9 Remote Document Verification Has Ended – Employers Have Until August 30, 2023, to Verify Documents in Person or Under the New Optional Alternative 1 (OA1) Procedure

The temporary I-9 Covid accommodation allowing employers to verify documents remotely ended on July 31, 2023. Employers must now either conduct in-person verification of original documents by August 30 (not 31) for employees previously verified remotely, or (if they qualify), verify documents under a new process called Optional Alternative 1 (“OA1”). - Read More

Urgent Reminder: June 24th Deadline to Download Your E-Verify Records or Lose the Data

On June 24, 2023, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) will dispose of E-Verify records that are ten years old or older. This deadline affects all employers who use the E-Verify system.To ensure you retain access to this important data, you must download these records before the deadline or they will be permanently irretrievable. - Read More

USCIS New Rule Adds H-4, E, L-2 Spouses Eligible for Automatic Extension of Employment Authorization: The Change is Welcome but Insufficient

On November 12, 2021, USCIS announced a new policy granting an automatic extension of employment authorization for H-4 (spouses of H-1 workers), L-2 (spouses of L-1 employees), and spouses of E status holders. USCIS Policy Alert, PA-2021-25, November 12, 2021 (Policy Alert). The change must be noted by every employer and worker. Not being aware - Read More

Employment Authorization Announced for Venezuelans

On March 9, 2021, USCIS announced a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans for an 18-month period beginning March 9, 2021 through September 9, 2022. - Read More

USCIS Announces New Guidance for Completing Form I-9

DHS has extended the COVID-19 compliance accommodations for Form I-9, and USCIS has issued new I-9 guidance concerning employees with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and for DACA recipients. - Read More

New Executive Order August 3, 2020 – Hiring Practices of Employers with Federal Contracts or Sub-Contracts Under Scrutiny

The president orders executive department and agency review of the use of foreign workers to perform certain government contracts in 2018 and 2019 to determine whether opportunities for US workers were affected. Learn more about this order. - Read More

Temporary Suspension of In-Person Inspection of I-9 New Employee Documentation Announced By DHS

Learn about the new I-9 Compliance Procedures for new employees during the COVID-19 crisis, and what actions your company must take. - Read More

Creating a “Culture of Compliance” Immigration Crackdown Shifts to Employers

ICE shifts immigration enforcement targets to employers by significantly increasing the number of I9 audits it conducts. Homeland Security Investigations Director Benner stated on May 14, 2018 he intends to create a "culture of compliance" by instilling in employers "a reasonable expectation that they will be audited." The Associate Press reported him to state, "I think it's a game changer." Be ready. Read here to learn how to prepare. - Read More

Visas & Immigration
Testimonials
- If you heard the story about a soldier who met a Christian Iraqi girl in Iraq, fell in love and ultimately received worldwide media attention, even going on Oprah with Garth Brooks…well…Barbara made it possible
  Robert H. San Diego, CA
Seattle Immigration Blog
- USICS Revives 540-Day Automatic Extension of EADs
  USCIS announces a temporary final rule increasing the automatic extension period of certain employment authorization documents (EADs) from 180 days to 540 days! This measure restores a pandemic-era flexibility, and helps to protect the continuity of America’s workforce.
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- Time to Apply for U.S. Citizenship!
  If you are a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) who is eligible to naturalize, and you want to become a U.S. citizen, now is the time to do it. It’s an election year, and you could be eligible to vote if you naturalize.
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- What Does It Mean That A Visa Applicant Must Be Admissible?
  Whether someone is applying for permanent residence or for a temporary non-immigrant visa such as visitor, student, or H-1B, among others, every visa applicant is required to be admissible to the U.S. If everything else about the case is fine, but the applicant is inadmissible, the visa will be denied. Learn about admissibility.
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- Joint Representation and Potential Conflict of Interest in Employment-Based Immigration Matters
  As immigration lawyers typically represent an employer, it’s important that both an employer and the employee be aware of the potential conflicts of interest that may arise in immigration visa matters.
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- New Fees for USCIS Applications Effective April 1, 2024
  On January 30, 2024, USCIS published notice of changes to application fees. Some fee adjustments, as discussed below, take into account the company’s size or nonprofit status.
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- Visa Appointments (Interview) at a U.S. Consulate
  The Visa Interview is Not ‘Just the Last Step’ It Matters! We often hear clients dismiss the visa interview at the U.S. consulate as just the last step, as though everything was done and approved up to that point, and so, of course, the consulate will “stamp” the passport. Nothing could be farther from the
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- U.S. Dept. of State Announces Pilot Program to Renew H-1B Visas Without Leaving the U.S.
  The Department of State has announced a temporary new pilot program for certain H-1B status holders to renew (revalidate) their H-1B visa from within the U.S. without needing to go to a U.S. consulate abroad.
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- Executive Order on AI and STEM Occupations Could Eliminate the Need for PERM Labor Certification for Many Workers
  PERM certification would no longer be needed if AI and STEM jobs are designated as “Shortage Occupations”; significantly speeding up the process to employ foreign workers in these positions.
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- The ABC’s of NIV’s and Possible Alternatives to an H-1B
  Non-immigrant (temporary) visas are designated by letters. Most people have heard of an H-1B visa, for example, but most don’t know there are many others. Here’s a fun visa vocabulary for common types of business-related status.
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- USCIS Announces Change – Many Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) and Travel Documents Will Now Be Valid for Five Years
  Learn about recent USCIS changes extending both work and travel authorizations to five years, and the ramifications of such changes.
  Read More >>

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