Archive for January, 2012

Sen. Grassley Puts ‘Hold’ on Per-Country Limits Legislation

1/13/2012 Written by SRW Lawyers

Despite the fact that on November 29, 2011, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 389-15 in favor of ending per-country numerical limits (caps) on employment-based visas and the Senate was expected to take action also, Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) has placed a hold on the bill. Sen. Grassley said that he has “concerns about the […]Read More >

Senate Judiciary Committee Holds Hearing on EB-5 Regional Center Program

1/3/2012 Written by SRW Lawyers

The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on December 7, 2011, on “Reauthorizing the EB-5 Regional Center Program: Promoting Job Creation and Economic Development in American Communities.” Witnesses included Bill Stenger, President and CEO, Jay Peak Resort; David North, Fellow, Center for Immigration Studies; and Robert C. Divine, Shareholder, Baker, Donelson, Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz, […]Read More >

USCIS Ombudsman Now Requires Form DHS 7001 for EAD Cases

1/2/2012 Written by SRW Lawyers

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Ombudsman’s Office requests that those submitting case inquiries complete Form DHS 7001, Case Problem Submission Worksheet, for all cases, including those related to applications for an employment authorization document (EAD). The Ombudsman is requiring completion of the DHS 7001 to comply with applicable privacy rules. In the past, the Ombudsman […]Read More >

California Steel Foundry Fires a Third of Its Workers After I-9 Audit

1/1/2012 Written by Brian D. Zuccaro

Pacific Steel Casting Company, based in Berkeley, California, has fired about a third of its workers after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted an I-9 work authorization audit in February 2011 and identified about 200 employees allegedly working without legal status. Elisabeth Jewel, a Pacific Steel spokesperson, said, “It’s terribly disruptive. We have highly […]Read More >