RECENT NEWS

Are you seeking immigration options for employing a nanny? Families or individuals seeking short-term childcare may benefit from the H-2B nonimmigrant visa program. Understanding Nanny Immigration Options: When it comes to hiring a nanny from a foreign country, families have several immigration options to consider, such as the cultural exchange au-pair J-1 Visa, the B-1 visa for accompanying domestic help, or the H-2B visa for temporary help. This article delves into the H-2B visa option for nannies. The H-2B Nonimmigrant Visa for Nannies: The H-2B visa has gained popularity as an ideal solution for families seeking to employ nannies temporarily. This nonimmigrant visa program allows employers to hire foreign workers when no qualified U.S. workers are available. By leveraging the H-2B visa, families can ensure consistent childcare during peak seasons or when local talent is scarce. Requirements for Hiring a Nanny on an H-2B Visa: To employ a nanny through the H-2B visa program, families must fulfill specific requirements. They need to demonstrate a temporary or seasonal need for a nanny due to factors like increased workloads, intermittent schedules, or other specific family circumstances. It is essential to prove that no U.S. workers are available and willing to perform the job, protecting American workers' interests. Keep in mind, to be approved for an H-2B nanny visa, the family must show that the nanny is not for a permanent need. A temporary need for purposes of the H-2B program is defined as a one-time occurrence, a seasonal need, a peakload need, or an intermittent need. Generally, this means that the maximum period of need must be one year or less. However, in the case of a one-time occurrence, a temporary need could last up to 3 years. The Process of Obtaining an H-2B Visa for a Nanny: Securing an H-2B visa for a nanny involves a step-by-step process. First, families must submit a temporary labor certification application to the Department of Labor (DOL), demonstrating their recruitment efforts to hire U.S. workers. Once the DOL approves the certification, the family can proceed with the visa application through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Early planning is crucial due to the annual cap on H-2B visas. Benefits of the H-2B Visa for Families and Nannies: The H-2B visa program offers numerous advantages for both families and nannies. Families can ensure uninterrupted childcare during demanding periods and find qualified caregivers who meet their specific needs. They can also expose their children to diverse cultures through interactions with foreign nannies. On the other hand, nannies benefit from professional growth, cultural immersion, and improved financial prospects while working in the United States. When considering immigration options for employing a nanny, families should explore various avenues to meet their child care requirements legally. The H-2B nonimmigrant visa program stands out as an excellent solution, enabling families to hire foreign nannies when local talent is scarce. By following the necessary steps and meeting the program's requirements, families can ensure quality child care, while nannies gain professional experience and cultural exposure. Embracing the H-2B visa program creates a win-win situation for families and nannies, fostering a positive and enriching child care experience.

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced new designs to improve security of Permanent Resident Cards (also known as Green Cards) and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). USCIS will begin issuing the redesigned cards on Jan. 30, 2023. The new Green Card and EAD designs contain state-of-the-art technology that continues to safeguard national security and improve service for customers. Changes include improved detailed artwork; tactile printing that is better integrated with the artwork; enhanced optically variable ink; highly secure holographic images on the front and back of the cards; a layer-reveal feature with a partial window on the back photo box; and data fields displayed in different places than on previous versions. “This redesign further demonstrates USCIS’ commitment to taking a proactive approach against the threat of secure document tampering, counterfeiting, and fraud,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. “Consistent updates to secure documents, informed by our knowledge of the latest methods of bad actors and the innovation and ingenuity of our staff, ensure the continued integrity of secure documents issued by our agency.” The introduction of the new designs does not mean that currently issued cards are invalid. Current cards remain valid until their expiration date (unless otherwise noted, such as through an automatic extension of a Green Card or EAD as indicated on a Form I-797, Notice of Action, or in a Federal Register notice). Some Green Cards and EADs issued after Jan. 30, 2023, may still display the existing design format because USCIS will continue using existing cardstock until current supplies are depleted. Both versions of the cards are acceptable for Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification; E-Verify; and Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE). Some older Green Cards do not have an expiration date. These older Green Cards without an expiration date generally remain valid; however, USCIS encourages applicants with these older cards to consider applying for a replacement card to prevent fraud or tampering should the card ever get lost or stolen. See USCIS’s official announcement by clicking here .

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to reach the cap for the additional 18,216 H-2B visas made available for returning workers for the first half of fiscal year (FY) 2023 with start dates on or before March 31, 2023, under the recently announced H-2B supplemental cap temporary final rule. USCIS continues to accept petitions for H-2B nonimmigrant workers for the additional 20,000 visas allotted for nationals of Haiti, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. USCIS recently began accepting H-2B petitions under the Dec. 15 temporary final rule increasing the cap by up to 64,716 additional H-2B nonimmigrant visas for fiscal year FY 2023. Of the 64,716 additional visas, 44,716 were available only for returning workers. The remaining 20,000 visas are set aside for nationals of Haiti, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras who are exempt from the returning worker requirement. Petitioners whose workers were not accepted for the 18,216 returning-worker allotment are encouraged to file under the Haiti, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras allotment while visas remain available. As of January 26, 2023, USCIS has received petitions requesting 4,260 workers under the 20,000 visas set aside for nationals of Haiti, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. USCIS will continue to accept H-2B petitions for workers filing under the Haiti, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras allotment, as well as those who are exempt from the congressionally mandated cap. This includes petitions for: Current H-2B workers in the United States petitioning to extend their stay and, if applicable, change the terms of their employment or change their employers; Fish roe processors, fish roe technicians, and/or supervisors of fish roe processing; and Workers performing labor or services in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands and/or Guam (until Dec. 31, 2029). Additional information on the FY 2023 supplemental visas is available here .

On January 12, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security announced that the new scheduling function in the CBP One mobile application is now live. The system, called CBP OneTM, will allow DHS to more efficiently schedule and manage the processing of individuals at the border, with a focus on ensuring that the process is safe, orderly, and humane. The release states that the system will enhance DHS's ability to manage the flow of individuals at the border and ensure that resources are used in an effective and efficient manner. The release also notes that the system will improve DHS's ability to provide real-time information on processing times and wait times to individuals seeking to enter the United States. Overall, the implementation of CBP OneTM is intended to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the border processing system while ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals involved.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) today announced the forthcoming publication of a joint temporary final rule to make available an additional 35,000 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for the second half of fiscal year (FY) 2022.

The moment public entities and private companies hear the word “immigrant” their internal alarms activate. This doesn’t have to be the standard. Even as an immigrant without a legal status, you have several rights. You can start a business , and you can even buy a house. Buying a property as an immigrant in the U.S. is difficult, just like every other major process is when you are a foreigner. There are requirements you must comply with and tiresome procedures. This doesn’t mean you can’t achieve the goal of having your own place to start or continue a life in the U.S.

Starting a business in the U.S. is already a difficult endeavor for the natives. For immigrants —whether they have a legal status or are undocumented— it is even harder. Either way, it is not impossible to do it. There are certain restrictions and difficult processes. But, most times, it is not entirely necessary to have a Green Card or an immigration process going on to start a business in the United States. Still, this doesn’t mean you can’t start one. It’s also important to understand that regulations and requirements are not always the same in every state. Make sure you ask the local entities for guidance.

Selective Service registration, if authorized by the President and Congress, allows the government to rapidly provide personnel to the Department of Defense while at the same time providing for an Alternative Service Program for objectors. This is known as a draft. Although the United States military has been all-volunteer since 1973, an act of Congress could reinstate the draft in case of a national emergency.

Filing and processing immigration applications are two of the most frustrating and time-consuming institutional activities in the United States. Having a professional on your side to help you reduce the processing times and avoid the stress that comes with an immigration case is relieving. In most cases, if you have the time, patience, and knowledge to go through immigration processes, it is possible to do it yourself. The USCIS doesn’t require a person to hire a lawyer to file applications, but even they say many people choose to have help. To answer this commonly asked question “Do I need an immigration lawyer for my case?” we must go through the reasons why hiring a lawyer is the best decision when getting involved in an immigration process.