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 […]
USCIS Reaches FY 2016 H-1B Cap
This just posted by USCIS: Release Date: April 07, 2015 WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reached the congressionally mandated H-1B cap for fiscal year (FY) 2016. USCIS has also received more than the limit of 20,000 H-1B petitions filed under the U.S. advanced degree exemption. USCIS will use a computer-generated process, […]
USCIS Will Accept H-1B Petitions for FY 2016 Beginning April 1, 2015
USCIS posts today that it will begin accepting FY2016 H-1B petitions on 4/1/15. USCIS expects to receive more petitions than the 65,000 H-1B cap during the first five business days of this year’s program and as in previous years will randomly select the cap-subject petitions for processing using a lottery system. All petitions not selected […]
Corporate Representation
Clemens W. Pauly has successfully advised and represented individual managers and corporate boards with respect to their obligations in light of shareholder accusations of mismanagement. Informed and careful planning will go a long way in reducing the exposure of individual board members and executives in discharging their duties.
Technical Problems with DOS Passport/Visa System
Notice on the U.S. Department of State website: Important Notice: The Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs is currently experiencing technical problems with our passport and visa system. We are operational, but currently issuing documents at a reduced capacity. This issue is worldwide and is not specific to any particular country, citizenship document, or […]
New H-1B visa “season” begins
Today USCIS started accepting new H-1B visa petitions again for a starting date of the employment on the first day of the next fiscal year, October 1, 2014. Just like in the previous years, we expect that the available H-1B visa will all be used up before long so that potentially interested employers and employees […]
