Archive for December, 2010

USCIS Revises I-129 Petition Form; Imposes New Export Control Certification

12/13/2010 Written by Brian D. Zuccaro

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a new version of the Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (Form I-129) to include the new fee increases. USCIS will accept previous versions of the form until December 22, 2010. Beginning on December 23, 2010, USCIS will only accept the revised form and will reject previous versions. […]Read More >

DOL Hits H-2A Employer With $1.3 Million in Back Wages, $136,500 in Fines

12/12/2010 Written by Brian D. Zuccaro

The Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is assessing J&R Baker Farms LLC of Ellenton, Georgia, $1,311,644 in back wages owed to 244 workers and $136,500 in fines for violating provisions of the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program. WHD found that the vegetable farm allegedly failed to provide at least 75 percent of […]Read More >

ETA Extends Comment Period on H-2B Wage Methodology Rule

12/3/2010 Written by Brian D. Zuccaro

On October 5, 2010, the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) issued a proposed rule governing the certification of the employment of nonimmigrant workers in temporary or seasonal non-agricultural employment and the enforcement of related obligations of employers. The proposed rule provided a comment period through November 4, 2010. The agency extended the […]Read More >

DOS Discusses Upcoming Employment Visa Number Priority Cut-Off Dates

12/1/2010 Written by Brian D. Zuccaro

The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for December 2010 notes that it is unlikely that any cut-off dates will be set in the employment first preference during the coming months. It also appears unlikely that it will be necessary to establish a cut-off date other than those already in effect for the employment second preference […]Read More >