We have news that may be some relief to international students across the United States. Today, Wednesday, July 8, 2020, Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) filed a lawsuit in District Court in Boston against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),…
Articles Posted in STEM OPT
BREAKING NEWS: SEVP Changes F-1 and M-1 Rules – Online Instruction for the Upcoming Fall 2020 Semester is Prohibited
Today, Monday, July 6, 2020, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a news release introducing new modifications taken by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) that will apply to all international students in F-1 and M-1 status taking courses during this upcoming Fall 2020 semester. The…
Looming Executive Order Affecting L-1, H-1B, H-2B, and J-1 Nonimmigrants? What’s being said?
New rumors are yet again circling regarding the possibility of a future executive order banning the entry of certain non-immigrants from the United States. An official speaking on condition of anonymity has fueled these rumors divulging information that the Trump administration is getting ready to issue a new executive order…
Republicans Urge President Trump to Restrict Immigration Further for New Petitions for H-1B Workers, H-2B Workers, OPT Students, and EB-5 Investors
On May 7th just days after the President signed his controversial April 22nd executive order limiting the immigration of certain aliens to the United States for 60 days, Republican senators rallied together to urge the President to pass more immigration restrictions—this time targeting nonimmigrant foreign workers. Republican Senators Tom Cotton…
COVID-19: Special Relief for F-1 Students Experiencing Severe Financial Hardship and Relief for Applicants Seeking Extension/Change of Status
In the midst of the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic, USCIS reminds applicants and petitioners impacted by the pandemic that they can seek certain types of discretionary relief on a case-by-case basis. Relief for Individuals Seeking Extensions/Change of Status Special relief is available to individuals who were unable to file…
USCIS Publishes FAQs and Video Instructions for H-1B Electronic Registration Process FY 2021
Great news for FY 2021 H-1B registrants! USCIS has published step-by-step video instructions showing you how you can submit an electronic registration on the USCIS website without the use of an attorney or representative. It is not too late to register. The registration period closes noon ET on March 20,…
This Week in Immigration News: Texas Service Center Will Begin Processing Certain Cap-Exempt H-1B Petitions, SEVP Fee Increase
It is that time of the week again! In this post, we bring you the latest immigration news from USCIS. Texas Service Center Will Begin Processing Certain Cap-Exempt H-1B Petitions On May 20, 2019, USCIS announced that the Texas Service Center will begin processing certain cap-exempt H-1B petitions filed on…
Reminder for F-1 Students: Automatic Termination of Optional Practical Training upon Transferring to a Different School or Beginning Study at Another Educational Level
In this post, we bring an important reminder to the attention of F-1 Students with Optional Practical Training. F-1 students who transfer to another school or begin their studies at another educational level, such as a master’s degree program after completion of the bachelor’s degree, will have their OPT automatically…
H-1B Blunders: USCIS Announces Suspension of Premium Processing for FY 2019 H-1B Cap Subject Petitions, A Word of Warning
In what seems like déjà vu, today, March 20, 2018 the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) formally announced that the agency will be temporarily suspending premium processing service for all fiscal year 2019 cap-subject petitions, including petitions that seek an exemption for individuals who possess a U.S. master’s…
Labor Union of Technology Workers Challenges STEM OPT Program
A new lawsuit has been filed in federal court challenging the Department of Homeland Security’s authorization of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) for STEM students in the United States. The Washington Alliance of Technology Workers is seeking an end to the STEM OPT program because they claim the program is…