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GoffWilson can help you with a broad range of immigration matters, such as obtaining appropriate visas for your foreign-born employees here or around the globe, managing compliance issues, and more.
Fueling growth with talent from abroad Brian Testa of KBACE Technologies relies on GoffWilson to secure H-1B visas for the highly skilled workers the company needs to grow.
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ICE’s Worksite Enforcement Strategy Could Affect Your Company

07/27/2018

On July 24, 2018, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the results of a two-phase nationwide operation in which it served Form I-9 Notices of Inspection (NOI’s) (i.e. audit notices) on more than 5,200 U.S. businesses. During the first phase of ICE’s operation, from January 29–March 30, 2018, it served 2,540 NOI’s on businesses and made 61 arrests. During the second phase, which ran from July 16–20, 2018, ICE served 2,738 NOI’s and made 32 arrests.  
 
Overall, from October 1, 2017 – July 20, 2018, ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) opened 6,093 worksite investigations and made 675 criminal and 984 administrative worksite-related arrests. According to Acting Executive Associate Director for HSI, Derek N. Benner, the increase in I-9 audits is an effort to create a culture of compliance among employers. In this age of “Extreme Vetting,” we are seeing more site visits around H and L visa applications.
 
In our January 11, 2018, bLAWg post, we discussed ICE’s comprehensive worksite enforcement strategy, which was designed to target employers who violate employment laws. ICE’s strategy involves a three-prong approach to conducting worksite enforcement:
 
Compliance through Form I-9 audits, civil fines, and debarment referrals;
Enforcement through arresting employers who knowingly employ undocumented workers; and
Outreach through ICE’s IMAGE program, which aims to instill a culture of compliance and accountability.
 
With this recent wave of I-9 audits by ICE, it is clear that the worksite enforcement strategy is coming to fruition. Employers need to be proactive in their approach to compliance, before ICE comes knocking. A written compliance policy is more important than ever in helping to protect you from potential liability. Think you need assistance? GoffWilson is here to help, as our firm offers I-9 audit and compliance services, including personalized private training. Contact our office today for more information.

Big Changes Coming for F, J, and M Nonimmigrants

05/14/2018

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on May 11, 2018 that it is changing its longstanding policy on how unlawful presence is calculated for students and exchange visitors in F, J, and M nonimmigrant status, as well as their dependents in F-2, J-2, or M-2 status. The new policy, which will go into effect on August 9, 2018, was released to align with President Trump’s Executive Order: Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States. Members of the public can submit comments on the new policy until June 11, 2018.
 
According to the new policy, individuals in F, J, and M nonimmigrant status, who failed to maintain their status before August 9, 2018, will start accruing unlawful presence on that date, unless they had already started accruing unlawful presence on the earliest of any of the following: 
  • The day after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) denied their request for an immigration benefit, if DHS made a formal finding that the individual violated his or her nonimmigrant status while adjudicating a request for another immigration benefit;
  • The day after their I-94 expired; or
  • The day after an immigration judge or the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) ordered them excluded, deported, or removed from the U.S., regardless of any appeal filed.
Individuals in F, J, and M nonimmigrant status, who fail to maintain their status on or after August 9, 2018, will start accruing unlawful presence on the earliest of any of the following:
  • The day after they no longer pursue their course of study or authorized activity, or the day after they engage in an unauthorized activity;
  • The day after completing their course of study or program, including any authorized practical training plus any authorized grace period;
  • The day after their I-94 expires; or
  • The day after an immigration judge or the BIA orders them excluded, deported, or removed from the U.S., regardless of any appeal filed.
Unlawful presence is time spent in the U.S. after the expiration of the period of stay authorized by DHS. If an individual accrues more than 180 days of unlawful presence during a single stay in the U.S., and then he/she departs the country, he/she may be subject to a three-year bar from readmission. Accruing more than one year of unlawful presence during a single stay and then departing can result in a 10-year bar from readmission. An individual who accrues a total period of more than one year of unlawful presence, whether in a single stay or during multiple stays in the U.S., and who then re-enters or attempts to re-enter the country without inspection is permanently inadmissible. Having a U.S. admission bar means an individual is generally not eligible to apply for a visa, admission, or permanent residence without a waiver of inadmissibility or another form of relief.
 
With its announcement, USCIS explained that these policy changes are designed to reduce the number of nonimmigrants who overstay their periods of U.S. admission and clarify how USCIS implements the unlawful presence grounds of inadmissibility. In discussing the policy changes, USCIS Director L. Francis Cissna stated, “USCIS is dedicated to our mission of ensuring the integrity of the immigration system. F, J, and M nonimmigrants are admitted to the United States for a specific purpose, and when that purpose has ended, we expect them to depart, or to obtain another, lawful immigration status…The message is clear: These nonimmigrants cannot overstay their periods of admission or violate the terms of admission and stay illegally in the U.S. anymore.”
 
Worried about how this new policy might affect you? GoffWilson is here to help! Contact our office today for more information. 

Only a few seats remaining for 5/17/18. Register Today!

05/04/2018

Register today for the seminar taking place on Thursday, May 17th at Two Delta Dental in Concord, NH.
 
Here are some reasons you should register right now:
  1. You want to be current on the latest trends in I-9s.
  2. You need a refresher. Review with us new questions, choices, and solutions made in completing I-9s, how to correct flawed forms and how to avoid them.
  3. Your remote hires, recent merger, or federal contracts present considerable challenges that can be met following this informative seminar.
  4. HRCI credit and a certificate are provided to you so you maintain your HR accreditation.
  5. Knowledgeable speakers and assistants to walk you through real examples.
  6. We include a breakfast buffet!
Visit our website for more information or click here to register now.

H-1B Visa Reminder

02/23/2018

With H-1B filing season upon us as of April 2, 2018, we take this opportunity to remind you that the H-1B cap is expected to be reached during the first week of April.
 
Engineering, healthcare, high tech, energy, finance, colleges/universities frequently benefit from employing H-1B Visa holders. Often times the foreigner is already working for an employer in OPT status. Working with an experienced immigration practitioner in advance to address both your strengths and weaknesses, is your best strategy. Here are some tips that we highly recommend be incorporated in your H applications this year:
 
1) A detailed brochure and description of the employer's products or services and why you require a professional with a bachelor's degree or higher to perform the offered position. Include promotional materials, press releases or news articles to illustrate the nature of the business, new trends and growth factors;
2) Including a copy of your corporate tax return or financial statements may be appropriate;
3) Explain in detail why the position cannot be performed by an employee who lacks a Bachelor's Degree: Is it a standard requirement in your industry? Provide details such as examples of work to be done that relates to the complexity of the position;
4) Providing a real, detailed job description with the percentage of time spent on the duties of the position may be helpful. Further, explain any discretionary judgment that the employee will have in their job and other such areas of responsibility that are demanding or highly advanced;
5) Provide evidence that you have a current and past practice of hiring bachelor's degree employees for the open position;
6) IT and staffing agencies must be prepared to evidence the "employer-employee relationship" in H-1B offsite placement work situations by clearly evidencing the employer's ability to "hire, pay, fire, supervise, or otherwise control the work of the employee.” 
 
These are just a few suggestions to think about as you consider filing an H visa application. Again, we emphasize that planning in advance for your application is imperative. Give us a call to discuss your need for an H Visa application for the individual currently working for you or who wants to work for your company to move it ahead successfully. We can strategize and lead to the best result for you.  It’s what we do!

H-1B Visa Filing Frenzy is Just Around the Corner

02/14/2018
 
April 1st, the opening day for filing H-1B visa petitions, is just around the corner. Arguably the most sought-after nonimmigrant visa, the H Visa is available for professionals to work in a specialty occupation (i.e. requiring a Bachelor’s degree or higher). If you are an employer seeking to hire one of these professionals, you better act fast as there are only 65,000 new H-1B visas available each fiscal year—and an additional 20,000 for individuals possessing a U.S. Master’s degree or higher. This quota is referred to as the H-1B CAP. Last year, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services received approximately 199,000 CAP-subject H petitions during the filing period and the predictions for this year are even higher! If the number of petitions filed with USCIS on April 1st exceeds the available amount of H-1B visas, which is very likely given the strong economy and lack of highly skilled workers in the US, a random selection lottery will be conducted.  
 
Even with the lottery, you still want to file for an H Visa as the benefits outweigh the risks: your employee will receive a 3-year H-1B visa, which can be renewed for an additional 3 years. Additionally, H-1B visas allow for dual-intent, which means you can sponsor your employee for permanent residency (i.e. green card) and they can continue working for your company in the U.S. without interruption.
 
Complete H-1B petition packages include the required USCIS forms and filing fees, a Labor Condition Application (LCA), information surrounding the employer and the offered position, and documentation regarding the employee. Not sure where to begin? Contact the GoffWilson H-1B Team for assistance. Our office has successfully assisted thousands of employers and employees with their H-1B petitions. Contact us today for more information and be a winner all the way around!

Do You Have a Response Ready for ICE’s Worksite Enforcement Strategy?

01/11/2018

On January 10, 2018, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced its comprehensive worksite enforcement strategy, which is designed to target employers who violate employment laws. ICE’s strategy includes a three-prong approach to conducting worksite enforcement:
 
• Compliance through Form I-9 audits, civil fines, and debarment referrals;
• Enforcement through arresting employers who knowing employ undocumented workers; and
• Outreach through ICE’s IMAGE program, which aims to instill a culture of compliance and accountability.
 
Experts have been cautioning about increased worksite enforcement, but ICE’s announcement confirms it. If your company has been putting off taking a closer look at your Forms I-9, the time to take action is now, before ICE comes knocking on your door. Based upon what we have seen and read, the chance of this occurring is greater than ever. Hefty fines and criminal liability can be the result of poorly-completed I-9’s and a poorly-managed employment verification process. Much of this is avoidable by being proactive and taking certain precautionary measures. This must be done whether or not you employ any foreign workers. We can help you and your company stay ahead of violations.
 
Recently, Asplundh Tree Experts Co., one of the largest private companies in the U.S., was slammed with a $95 million penalty as a result of an ICE worksite enforcement investigation. The penalty was the largest in U.S. history for worksite enforcement, but with ICE’s new strategy, surely it will not be the last. And don’t be fooled, as we have reported here before, enforcement investigations are occurring for all sized businesses including the very small.
 
Want to take action on your company’s worksite compliance, but not sure where to start? Let GoffWilson be your guide.  Our firm offers I-9 audit and compliance services, including personalized private training and representation should you receive a visit from the immigration service. Contact our office today for more information. Worksite compliance is what we do!
 

New Year, New H-1B Filing Process

12/20/2017

This H-1B filing season, many employers will need to prepare a little differently than in past years. Throughout January, February, and March, H-1B petitioners will begin assembling thousands of H-1B visa petitions for filing on April 2nd, the first available filing date for the FY2019 cap season since April 1st falls on a Sunday this year. The H-1B visa is available to professionals coming to the U.S. to work in a specialty occupation (i.e., a postion requiring a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent). 
 
There are 85,000 H-1B visas available, with 20,000 reserved for individuals possessing a U.S. Master’s degree or higher. This limited annual quota is known as the H-1B cap, and each year, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) receives enough petitions to fill the cap (typically in excess of 150,000+) within the first week of filing. The USCIS then conducts a lottery on received petitions to randomly select the cases to fill the cap. If a petition is selected in the lottery and approved, the employer’s foreign worker will receive a 3-year H-1B visa, which will be renewable for an additional 3 years. The H-1B visa also allows for dual-intent, which means the employer can sponsor its foreign worker for permanent residency (i.e., a green card) to permit long-term U.S. employment.
 
The H-1B visa has long been a dependable way for employers to bring foreign talent into the U.S. Other than the limited cap numbers, the process has been relatively straightforward in recent years. However, in March and April 2017, the issuance of the USCIS Policy Memorandum, “Rescission of the December 22, 2000 ‘Guidance memo on H1B computer related positions,’” and the Executive Order, “Buy American and Hire American,” caused a shift in H-1B review at USCIS. Many Requests for Evidence (RFEs) were issued questioning the prevailing wage level selected by employers, as well as whether the offered position qualifies as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes. 
 
GoffWilson has been successful in overcoming these wage level and specialty occupation H-1B RFEs, and we are working with employers to assemble more substantial and comprehensive petitions for the upcoming cap season. We recommend starting your H-1B petitions sooner rather than later to allow plenty of time for gathering the supporting documentation necessary to achieve success. Complete H-1B petition packages include the required USCIS forms and filing fees, a Labor Condition Application (LCA), information surrounding the employer and the offered position, and documentation regarding the employee.  
 
Looking for assistance with your company’s H-1B petitions? GoffWilson is here to help! We have assisted thousands of employers and employees with their immigration matters. Contact us today for more information.
 

Think your Cell Phone is Safe at the Border? Read this.

10/27/2017


Since a Supreme Court decision in 1925, U.S. border agents have been permitted to conduct port-of-entry searches without a warrant on all individuals attempting to enter the country. This longstanding rule, known as the “border search exception” to the 4th Amendment, is deemed to be in the national security interest and even applies to U.S. citizens as well as lawful permanent residents. In 2009, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released its current policy on such warrantless searches pertaining to travelers’ electronic devices. Basically, the policy permits CBP to search all electronic devices at any port-of-entry “without individualized suspicion.”


Even though electronic device searches are not new, the application of these searches has nearly doubled in the first 6 months of FY2017, going from 8,000 searches in the previous 6 months to 15,000. Furthermore, CBP has started encompassing individual social media accounts as part of its electronic device searches. Even password-protected devices and accounts are not safe from scrutiny. Plus, individuals do not have to consent to searches—CBP reserves the right to seize the device(s) in question. If a device is seized, CBP can retain the device for 15 days, with the ability for continuous 7-day extensions. Once the device is in CBP custody, there is no maximum period after which it must be returned.


However, device seizure may be the best possible outcome if a traveler does not grant consent to CBP’s search. Other options granted to CBP include detainment, arrest, and, in the case of non-U.S. citizens/residents, refusal of admission or expedited removal. Clearly, these are all worrisome outcomes for the average traveler.


Why would they choose you? Perhaps you have a name that matches a person of interest in the government’s database. Maybe you have previously violated one of the immigration laws. You do not have the proper documents or visa and you are trying to enter the country or you have been selected for a random search. CBP does not need probable cause to search.


The good news is that prudent travelers can (and should) prepare for electronic device searches at the border. One of the exceptions to the CBP policy is that it does not apply to data stored on remote servers or the cloud. Hence, travelers should keep their local data limited to only necessary information. Another exception is privileged information, such as communications between attorney and client. If a traveler has privileged information on his/her device, the CBP officer should be notified immediately. While the presence of privileged information may not completely halt the search, it does require the involvement of a supervising entity.


In an age when border security is at the forefront of national interest, a continued increase in electronic device searches by CBP can be expected. All travelers should take steps to safeguard their private information.  


GoffWilson is your source for immigration updates! Contact our office today with any immigration questions.


H-1B Visa News and the Updating of the EAD & SSN Process

10/04/2017

In today’s political climate, shifts in immigration policy are happening at a rapid pace, and this week is proving no exception. While DACA and the refugee cap are making headlines, two smaller announcements could have a big effect on foreign-born individuals looking to work in the United States.  
 
Premium Processing Resumes for all H-1B Visas Petitioners
 
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced the resumption of premium processing for all H-1B visa petitions. This service is crucial to both individuals and businesses, as it keeps them out of a potentially months-long visa limbo, allows them to quickly plan for their future, and guarantees processing within 15 calendar days. If the USCIS is unable to meet the 15-calendar day processing time, the premium processing fee is refunded, and expedited processing continues. 
 
This announcement is welcome news for many H-1B visa petitioners, as the premium processing fee is a small price to day for a clearer vision of their future. For many, the premium processing service has been suspended since April with the exception of interested government agency waivers, certain H-1B petitions that are not subject to the cap, and petitions filed on the behalf of physicians under the Conrad 30 Waiver Program (premium processing for these physicians resumed in late June).
 
Updated Form Streamlines EAD & SSN Process 
 
The immigration process for foreign nationals in certain categories and classifications has been streamlined, allowing them to apply for work authorization (EAD) and a social security number (SSN) simultaneously. This change addresses an operation inefficiency and reduces the likelihood of an individual or employer neglecting one of these critical documents.
 
This effort toward increased efficiency comes as the result of a new information-sharing partnership between the USCIS and the Social Security Administration (SSA). Facilitating this change is the use of the updated Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, which now includes questions that allow applicants to apply for a social security number. 
 
Going forward, the USCIS will transmit the additional data collected by Form-I-765 to the SSA for processing. Applicants who receive their approved Employment Authorization Documents from the USCIS should also expect to receive their Social Security card from the SSA within the following two weeks. 
 
GoffWilson
 
The United States immigration system is complex and constantly changing, and that has never been more true than it is today. GoffWilson’s sole focus is immigration, and for over 30 years we’ve helped businesses and individuals navigate the intricacies of the U.S. immigration system. If you have any questions about your H-1B visa petition, Form I-765, or any other immigration issue, contact us today. 
 

Deciphering Travel Ban 3.0

09/25/2017

Yesterday, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation—to take effect on October 18— attempting to push through his signature travel ban. With the existing ban on visitors from six Muslim-majority countries set to expire, Sunday’s order places travel limits on eight countries and is the third version of the travel ban offered by the administration. However, unlike the previous bans intended as temporary measures, the new order’s restrictions are not time-limited.   
 
Under the new proclamation, most citizens of Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Chad, and North Korea will be banned from entering the United States, along with some government officials from Venezuela. Additionally, citizens of Iraq will face a higher level of scrutiny before being granted admission into the United States. Chad, North Korea, and Venezuela are new additions to the list of countries with limited travel, and Sudan has been removed from the list. Unique to the recent order is that each country will be under its own set of travel restrictions—and officials say the new limits are intended to be tough and targeted. 
 
The new order bans almost all travel to the United States from seven countries—including most of the nations listed in the original versions of the travel ban—citing the listed country’s inability or unwillingness to cooperate in helping assuage security concerns the U.S. has over people coming from those countries. The only country without sweeping restrictions is Venezuela, where limits will only apply to a group of government officials and their families. 
 
The administration says that the latest order will not affect legal permanent residents of the United States or visitors currently holding valid visas from the countries listed in the order, which we believe will help avoid the chaos experienced at airports across the nation following the rollout of the first travel ban.  
 
Critics of the latest order argue that this is still a thinly disguised version of the initial travel ban that many argue was discriminatory, in that it targeted Muslims, leading many to refer to the original ban as the “Muslim ban.” As with the original travel ban, it’s expected that this latest order will be challenged in the courts over the coming days and weeks. 
 
GoffWilson’s sole focus is immigration law, and because of this we are following the latest travel ban closely. If you have any questions about how the travel ban may affect you or an employee, contact us today. Immigration is our passion. 

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