On April 1st, 2015, USCIS will begin accepting FY2016 cap-subject H-1B petitions for the start work date of Oct. 1, 2015. USCIS will accept 65,000 H-1B petitions in the general category and 20,000 in the advanced degree category. If USCIS receives more than 85,000 H-1B petitions, which is expected, it will again hold a lottery to select the petitions it processes. For additional information, click here.

The judge found that USCIS erred in denying the visa petition because the record showed that the position required at a minimum a specialized degree in "market research" or an equivalent technical degree accompanied by relevant coursework in "statistics, research methods and marketing".   The court added that the evidence offered supported the need for a technical bachelor's degree accompanied by specific experience in the field.

As we approach the FY2016 H-1B filing season, it is important that H-1B petitions contain evidence of the specialized nature of the position and the specialized skills of the beneficiary.  

A newly released report shows the growing political and economic clout of immigrants, children of immigrants and Latinos in Florida. Immigrants account for nearly one in five Floridians and roughly 50% are U.S. citizens  eligible to vote. Immigrants not only contribute to our economy as workers, but also account for billions of dollars in tax revenue and consumer purchasing power. Latinos and Asians have over $150 billion in consumer purchasing power and the businesses they own have sales and receipts of nearly $90 billion and employ more than 400,000.