USCIS has released Redesigned Green Cards and Employment Authorization Documents
Following its announcement on April 19, 2017 USCIS started printing newly designed Green Cards and Employment Authorization Documents [EAD] on May 1, 2017. The new front and back of the Green Card looks like this: The new design of the EAD looks like this: [See more information and description of the design at https://www.uscis.gov/greencard and […]
DHS Statement Concerning Admission of Returning Residents
From: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services <uscis@public.govdelivery.com> Date: January 29, 2017 5:44:15 PM MST Subject: DHS statements on the entry of lawful permanent residents and compliance with court orders and the president’s executive orders Reply-To: <uscis@public.govdelivery.com> STATEMENT BY DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY JOHN KELLY ON THE ENTRY OF LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENTS INTO THE […]
President Trump’s Executive Action – A Recommendation to All Employers to Audit their I-9 forms
As the President issued a number of Executive Orders, one of the Executive Orders entitled “Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States” dated January 25, 2017 states in part as follows: >>Sec. 6. Civil Fines and Penalties. As soon as practicable, and by no later than one year after the date of […]
BALCA does not allow Employer’s Recruitment Report to Contain Minor Discrepancies
In its decision In the Matter of Robert Bosch LLC, Case Number 2012-PER-01739, (8/25/2016), the Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals (BALCA) affirmed a denial of an Application for Permanent Employment Certification when the employer’s recruitment report listed a total of 62 applications for the position received, when in fact there had only been 61. The […]
Staffing company fined almost $210,000 for failure to properly file I-9 forms
A recently published decision by the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer (OCAHO) again shows how important it is for US employers to comply with the I-9 form filing requirements for each employee. In United States v. Golden Employment Group, Inc., 4/27/2016, 12 OCAHO no. 1277, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) found a total […]
DHS Announces Further Travel Restrictions for the Visa Waiver Program
The Department of Homeland Security announced today that it is adding Libya, Somalia, and Yemen to the list of countries of concern, limiting Visa Waiver Program travel for certain individuals who have traveled to these countries, especially since March 1, 2011. Current ESTA holders are encouraged to check their ESTA status prior to travel on U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) website at esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Please find the complete press release here: http://www.dhs.gov/news/2016/02/18/dhs-announces-further-travel-restrictions-visa-waiver-program
Copyright Law – Fair Use Index
In the United States, one of the most important principles of copyright law is the “fair use” doctrine. While the author of a work typically possesses an exclusive right to the use of the work, the “fair use” of the copyrighted work is a defense to an infringement claim. See 17 U.S.C. § 107. The tasks for […]
General Trademark Information
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has a very informative homepage with general information about the topic of trademark laws in the United States. Very illustrative are the videos that are posted on their website and which business owners should review to gain a better understanding of the benefits of developing and registering a mark. […]
Government accepts Credit Card for N-400 filing fees
Applicants who wish to apply to become a U.S. citizen can now use a credit card to pay for the necessary government filing fees.On the USCIS website, you can now find form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, which can be included instead of a check or money order to pay for the filing fees. […]
USCIS Now Accepts Applications for Employment Authorizations for Certain H-4 Spouses
Certain H-4 dependent spouses may now apply for employment authorization under the H-4 rule. Effective May 26, 2015, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has begun accepting applications for employment authorization from certain H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B nonimmigrants who are seeking employment-based lawful permanent resident status. Please read the announcement here. Eligible H-4 spouses […]
