DHS Permanently Increases Automatic Extension of Certain Employment Authorization Documents for Certain Applicants

On December 10, 2024, The Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) announced a permanent increase in the automatic extension period for employment authorization documents (“EADs”) up to 540-days from the current 180-days period for certain applicants who timely and properly filed their Form I-765 applications for work authorization.

Read more

The O-1 Visa for AI Innovators and Entrepreneurs

The first time I tried ChatGPT in action, I was impressed.  While I would never use it to write a legal brief we have found lots of uses in our practice that save time and increase efficiencies. Of course, we all use AI technologies on a daily basis from opening our phones with our faces to getting directions and traffic updates to asking digital voice assistants what song is playing.  The potential impact of AI technologies is huge, and not just for procrastinating students trying to get that essay written for school.

As with all technological advancements, innovators and entrepreneurs are leading the way, whether as highly skilled researchers involved in the creation or refinement of the AI technology, or as entrepreneurs adapting the technology in a new way to an old industry. In this post, we discuss one of the best visa options—the O-1 visa—for those AI innovators and entrepreneurs who want to live and work in the US.

Read more

USCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2025 H-1B CAP

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced on December 2, 2024, they had reached the H-1B Cap for fiscal year 2025. The Service reported having received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated limits for the H-1B visa regular cap, as well as the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap) for FY2025. USCIS will be sending non-selection notices to registrants through their online accounts “over the next few days.” 

Employers submitted registrations for 442,000 unique beneficiaries during FY 2025 H-1B cap registration period. USCIS went on to conduct two lottery selections, one in March 2024 and another in August 2024. For those not selected, remember there may still be hope.

A Message of Gratitude, Support, and Hope for the Year Ahead

As we approach Thanksgiving and the holiday season, I wanted to take a moment to reach out to you—our valued clients and friends—and express our sincere gratitude for your continued trust and support.

In light of the recent presidential election, we understand that the future may feel uncertain. However, we want to reassure you that we have faced moments of change before, and we are fully prepared to do so again. Our team remains committed to staying agile in the face of new developments, keeping you updated on changes to rules and regulations, challenging problematic USCIS decisions and processes, and continuing to deliver positive results for your cases. As always, we will advocate passionately for your rights, ambitions, and peace of mind, no matter what lies ahead.

This holiday season is a time to reflect on hope, connection, and the resilience we have shown together. In the year ahead, you can count on us to remain your dedicated partners, guiding and supporting you with the experience and resources you have come to rely on.

Wishing you peace, joy, and hope this holiday season, and a new year filled with opportunities and success. It is an honor to be part of your journey, and we look forward to continuing to stand by your side in the months and years to come.