H1B
No Deadline for H1B Visa Applicants: USCIS
The US citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have started accepting the H1B Visa applications for the next fiscal year from Wednesday. An overall 65,000 applications are offered excluding 20,000 H1B visas for applicants of US masters’ or higher degree. In 2009, due to the downturn the filed applications were fewer and to meet the... »
Comprehensive redux
The Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s Security and Prosperity Act (CIR ASAP) was introduced last week by Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez, Illinois Democrat. The co-sponsors are a mix of mostly left-wing groups, and the bill is a hodgepodge of different ideas and political compromises all too common in today’s Washington. Consequently, few are enthusiastic about... »
Summary of Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Good and Bad
Today Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) introduced theComprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s Security and Prosperity Act of 2009 (CIR ASAP). Open Market was able to get an advanced outline of the bill. Here are some of its main features: Good: 1. Prohibits creation of a national identification card (this contradicts mandated E-Verify, see below).2. “Recapture” of unused... »
International Students, Skilled Immigrants And Comprehensive Immigration Reform
by Marlene M. Johnson and Stuart Anderson Source: ILW Looking ahead to next year, it has become increasingly important that concerns about the economy not deter lawmakers from ensuring that reforms to attract and retain highly educated, highly skilled foreign nationals are included in comprehensive immigration reform legislation. Illegal immigration issues have dominated the debate, but... »
Slump Sinks Visa Program
A coveted visa program that feeds skilled workers to top-tier U.S. technology companies and universities is on track to leave thousands of spots unfilled for the first time since 2003, a sign of how the weak economy has eroded employment even among highly trained professionals. The program, known as H-1B, has been a mainstay of... »