USCIS, July 22, 2022 "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today updated its Policy Manual to provide further guidance on evidence that can be used to support a petition for an O-1A nonimmigrant of extraordinary ability with a focus on science... Read More
American Immigration Council "A series of new federal initiatives have been launched to help American businesses of all sizes connect with talented researchers and other highly-skilled individuals. Below, you will see a set of overview guides and... Read More
Bender's Immigration Bulletin Editorial Board Member Cyrus D. Mehta has two new blog posts online: Expansion of STEM Practical Training and Broadening of O-1A Standards Allows Foreign Talented Students to Contribute to the US Even If Rejected in... Read More
Nadia Dreid, Law360, Jan. 21, 2022 "The Biden administration has implemented a pair of changes aimed at making it easier for international students in the STEM field to stay and work in the U.S. after graduation by widening the net of careers that... Read More
USCIS, Jan. 22, 2022 "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today issued policy guidance clarifying how it evaluates evidence to determine eligibility for O-1A nonimmigrants of extraordinary ability, with a focus on petitions filed for individuals... Read More
Here is the Federal Register notice, Update to the Department of Homeland Security STEM Designated Degree Program List. Here is the DHS announcement, DHS Expands Opportunities in U.S. for STEM Professionals Here is the DOS announcement, New Initiatives... Read More
Li v. USCIS, July 23, 2021 - See pp. 6-14 for the good results for the Plaintiffs...and counsel! Hats off to Porter Wright attorneys Caroline H. Gentry , Robert H. Cohen and Kirsten R. Fraser ! Read More
Karin Fischer, Chronicle of Higher Education, Mar. 3, 2021 "The new immigration bill, the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, would provide legal protections to Dreamers and make it easier for international STEM Ph.D.s to stay in the United States after... Read More
ICE, Sept. 27, 2019 SEVP Policy Guidance Practical Training - Determining a Direct Relationship Between Employment and a Student's Major Area of Study Read More
Cyrus Mehta, July 8, 2019 "DHS promulgated the F-1 STEM optional practical training (OPT) benefit, with the publication of the “24-month STEM OPT Rule” that became effective on May 10, 2016. See 81 FR 13039 . This rule has been the... Read More
NFAP, Mar. 5, 2019 "New research from a former Federal Reserve Bank economist finds no evidence that foreign students participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT) reduce job opportunities for U.S. workers, according to a new report released... Read More
USCIS, Aug. 17, 2018 - "USCIS is updating the Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students (STEM OPT) page of our website to clarify the reporting responsibilities for participating in the STEM OPT program. Students and employers must... Read More
This document is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on 10/19/2015 - Improving and Expanding Training Opportunities for F-1 Nonimmigrant Students with STEM Degrees and Cap-Gap Relief for All Eligible F-1 Students ICE Media Release, Oct... Read More
WashTech v. DHS, Jan. 23, 2016 - "DHS’s motion for limited relief will be GRANTED, and the Court’s August 12, 2015 stay of vacatur will be extended until May 10, 2016." Read More
"Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, a vocal group of advocates insists that the United States does not face a shortage of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workers. The advocates argue incorrectly that high-skilled... Read More