I-9 seminars, training for HR and lawyers on I-9s, E-Verify, employer immigration compliance, SSN No-Match letters, and work visas. Seminars, News, Articles analysis. http://www.i-9seminars.com Mon, 08 Sep 2008 02:56:29 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.i-9seminars.com/images/M_images/rss-i9.png http://www.i-9seminars.com I-9 seminars, training for HR and lawyers on I-9s, E-Verify, employer immigration compliance, SSN No-Match letters, and work visas. Seminars, News, Articles analysis. http://www.i-9seminars.com/20080828504/analysis/comment-period-open-on-h-2b-visa-for-seasonal-workers-new-proposed-rule.html On August 20, 2008, USCIS issued a Proposed Rule to make changes to the current H-2B program. This spring USCIS had issued a different Proposed Rule to modify the current H-2B Regulations, and USCIS announced that the previous rule had been withdrawn and replaced by the August 20 Proposed Rule. The August 20 Proposed Rule is completely different from the previous Proposed Rule. Articles - Analysis Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:38:09 +0100 http://www.i-9seminars.com/20080811473/analysis/12-states-require-e-verify-one-state-prohibits-the-use-of-e-verify.html Federal Contractors Ordered to Use E-Verify (http://www.i-9seminars.com/20080613351/analysis/federal-contractors-ordered-to-use-e-verify.html) ). Articles - Analysis Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:26:50 +0100 http://www.i-9seminars.com/20080808466/analysis/uscis-announces-passport-cards-are-acceptable-list-a-document.html USCIS announced that passport cards can be accepted as List A documents for I-9 form and E-Verify purposes. The Department of State recently began issuing passport cards as an alternative to traditional book passports for land and sea travel by U.S. citizens to the Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Passport cards cannot be used for international air travel. Articles - Analysis Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:59:31 +0100 http://www.i-9seminars.com/20080618357/analysis/uscis-extends-opt-for-certain-graduates.html On April 4, 2008 USCIS announced a final interim rule which extends Optional Practical Training (OPT) from 12 to 29 months for students who graduate from a U.S. university with a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM). It appears that this is in response to the H-1B crisis, where for the second year in a row USCIS had to hold a lottery to allot H-1B visas. Articles - Analysis Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:24:50 +0100 http://www.i-9seminars.com/20080613351/analysis/federal-contractors-ordered-to-use-e-verify.html On June 6, 2008, President Bush issued Executive Order 13465, which amended Executive Order 12989 ordering that federal contracting agencies cannot enter into contracts with employers that do not use the best available means to confirm the work authorization of their workforce. Department of Homeland Security Immediately announced that E-VERIFY is designated as “the best available means. Articles - Analysis Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:35:07 +0100 http://www.i-9seminars.com/20080602315/analysis/immigration-law-in-the-workplace-the-other-side-of-the-coin.html While your business is crossing its Ts and dotting its Is (and I-9s) in an attempt to comply with laws and regulations related to immigration, you must not forget about those other laws out there – the ones prohibiting discrimination in the workplace. Articles - Analysis Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:07:56 +0100 http://www.i-9seminars.com/20080509257/analysis/uscis-announces-proposed-rule-to-extend-tn-visa-allowable-period-of-admission.html On May 9, 2008 USCIS announced a proposed rule to extend the allowable Period of Admission for TN Visas from one year to three years. Canadian and Mexican professionals may work under the TN Visa, which is a provision of NAFTA. Under the current regulations, TN visa holders must renew their visa annually. This proposed rule would extend this to three years to be the same as an H-1B visa. Articles - Analysis Fri, 09 May 2008 15:15:27 +0100 http://www.i-9seminars.com/20080523297/analysis/social-security-administration-is-issuing-letters-to-employees.html On April 3, 2008 the Social Security Administration began sending letters to employees whose name and Social Security Number did not match in the Social Security database. At first glance, this was puzzling. The letters appeared to be a clear violation of an injunction issued by a federal court which prevented the Department of Homeland Security from sending letters to employers which changed the Social Security No Match implications. Articles - Analysis Fri, 23 May 2008 15:06:41 +0100 http://www.i-9seminars.com/20080523298/analysis/department-of-labor-issues-new-proposed-rule-for-h-2b-labor-certifications.html On May 22, 2008, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a proposed rule to try and streamline the H-2B filing process. Under the proposed rule, H-2B recruitment could be performed before filing the DOL Labor Certification with the National Processing Center. Additionally, the recruitment would be performed by the employer without supervision by the State Workforce Agency. Articles - Analysis Fri, 23 May 2008 15:50:29 +0100 http://www.i-9seminars.com/20080508252/analysis/uscis-announces-enhancements-to-e-verify-program-while-employers-remain-skeptical.html On May 5, 2008, in anticipation of a Congressional hearing on the issue, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced “improvements to the E-Verify program.” However, employers and business immigration lawyers remain skeptical because of high error rates and privacy concerns. Background: E-Verify is an on-line employment verification program administered by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. Articles - Analysis Thu, 08 May 2008 17:46:23 +0100