Update on Dual Nationality for German Citizens
Under current law, German citizens interested in applying for US citizenship often required a special permission to retain German citizenship (so-called Beibehaltungsgenehmigung). Effective June 26, 2024, this is no longer the case. The new modernization law concerning the German Citizenship Act was finally published and becomes effective on this day. Please see the press release […]
DV-2025 Lottery open until November 7, 2023
The DV lottery is currently open and you can find instructions and participate here: Electronic Diversity Visa Program (state.gov)
Modernization of German Nationality Law
The German government has published and approved a draft bill that would modernize German nationality law. If this draft bill should become law, German expats in the US would no longer need to obtain a retention permit (Beibehaltungsgenehmigung) from the German government before becoming naturalized US citizens. Please contact attorney Clemens Pauly with your questions […]
Continue to Use the Current Form I-9 for Employment Eligibility Verification
Today, USCIS alerted US employers that they should continue using the soon expiring Form I-9 currently available on I-9 Central, even after the expiration date of August 31, 2019 has passed. USCIS will provide updated information about the new version of the Form I-9 as it becomes available. Employers must complete Form I-9 for all […]
New H-1B rule in effect
The final rule on #H1B cap subject petitions introduces an electronic registration requirement for petitioners—suspended for this year’s H-1B cap season—and reverses the order in which #USCIS selects petitions. Learn more in this #AILAQuickTake http://ow.ly/Gi5P30nx8nJ
2019 DV Lottery Program to Restart October 18, 2017 !
The State Department issued a news release that the 2019 DV Lottery Program will begin again on October 18, 2018. All earlier entries have been deleted and all applicants will have to submit new applications again: See announcement here: https://www.dvlottery.state.gov/ (as of October 16, 2017): Due to a technical issue, the DV-2019 entry period that […]
Revised Form I-765 with Option to Apply for SSN
For foreigner’s applying for temporary employment authorization in the United States, obtaining a social security number was previously a separate step, requiring a separate application to be filed with the Social Security Administration. As of October 2, 2017, the revised version of form I-765, Applicati0n for Employment Authorization now includes a section, allowing the applicants […]
Immigration Services When Faced With Unforeseen Circumstances, Including Hurricanes
In the aftermath of hurricane Irma, US Citizenship and Immigration Services just released the following public service advisory. While we share this advisory to inform potentially affected individuals in the US, please carefully consider the effect of making contact or requesting any relief from USCIS in light of your individual situation. If in doubt, please […]
Court Upholds $305,000 Fine Against Arizona Employer for I-9 Violations
Another recent example of why US employers must be serious about verifying the employment authorization of their employees as mandated by INA §274A. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit upheld a fine of $305,050 against a Phoenix-based sheet-metal manufacturer for 503 I-9 violations (DLS Precision Fab v. ICE, Case No. 14-71980 (CA […]
New I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form Released
USCIS has released a new form I-9 with a revision date of July 17, 2017. Employers should now use this new form but can continue using the previous version of the form (revision date 11/14/2016 N) through September 17, 2017.