Maggio+Kattar
February, 2014

Immigration News + Analysis
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Maggio + Kattar

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+ Compliance Corner:
 
April 1 is the deadline to file H-1B petitions!
While here in Washington DC it feels very much like winter, Spring is right around the corner, and with it, the April 1 deadline for employers to file their H-1B petitions for skilled foreign workers for the upcoming fiscal year. The government fiscal year for 2015 and the start date for new H-1B visa petitions is October 1, 2014, however, the cases may be filed beginning on April 1, 2014. It is expected that all H-1B quota numbers may be exhausted in the initial filing window.  Read more ...
DOS Announces Site Visits for J-1 Hosts and Participants 

J-1 host companies and participants have begun receiving notices from the U.S. Department of State announcing that they are planning a visit. The J-1 exchange visitor visa is intended to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges. The notices ask participants to "be ready to discuss both how they are learning about American culture (including whether their employer facilitates outings and dinners with company staff), as well as the new skills they are learning (for trainees/interns, in accordance with their DS-7002) and their rationale for participating in the program." Read more...

Driver's License Laws Across the U.S. Remain a Major Concern for Undocumented Immigrants
Eleven states and the District of Columbia have now passed laws that allow undocumented immigrants to obtain a driver's license. Proponents of such laws are optimistic that the recent surge indicates that more people across the country are becoming aware of the positive role that undocumented immigrants can play in society. Critics have traditionally objected to proposed legislation on the grounds that it rewards those who are here illegally. Advocates have been quick to point out that prohibiting undocumented immigrants from obtaining driver's licenses has not proven an effective migration control tool. Read more...
DOS Updates Citizenship Policy for Children Born Abroad through Assisted Reproductive Technology
The Department of State has a new policy concerning the citizenship status of children born abroad to U.S. parents through Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). Under section 301 and 309 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, a child born outside the U.S. must have a biological connection to a U.S. citizen parent in order for the parent to convey U.S. citizenship at birth to the child. In practical terms, this means that the child must have the genetic material of at least one U.S. citizen, either father or mother, in order to have a claim to citizenship at birth. Read more...
Shredding I-9s Spells Trouble for Virginia School System 
According to the  Washington Post, Fairfax County Schools apparently shredded the original Form I-9 taken for their employees. Unlike many other business records, the recordkeeping rules for the Form I-9 require that the employer keep the original form, regardless of whether or not a copy is maintained in an online system. Additionally, for terminated employees, original forms must still be kept ready for inspection for the longer of three years from their date of hire or one year from their termination date. This is yet another example of how compliant use of online I-9 systems can be confusing and therefore written policy, procedure and regular training for all users is an absolute must. Read more...
Maggio + Kattar Attorneys About Town

Maggio + Kattar Shareholders teaching at the DC Bar. DC Bar's "What Every Lawyer Needs to Know About Immigration Law Series" kicks off on March 4, For more information or to register click here.

  

Steve Pattison will be a panel presenter along with AILA president Doug Stump on Comprehensive Immigration Reform at  Rome District Chapter conference in Athens on March 12-14.

 

Shareholders Elizabeth Quinn and Jan Pederson explain U.S. immigration laws affecting the diplomat and consular community at the Canadian Embassy: Thursday, April 10, 2014 - 8:30am to 12:00pm - Read More... 

 

For upcoming events at Maggio+Kattar or to join our attorneys at an outside event, click here. 
Maggio + Kattar provides Immigration News + Analysis as a service to its clients and friends to highlight and provide opinions on changes within the field of immigration and nationality law. The information contained in this newsletter is not intended as legal advice, and persons receiving this information should not act on it without consulting professional legal counsel.


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