A reminder to U.S. employers to make sure all paperwork (I-9s, H-1B and PERM posting documentation, etc.) is in order. Immigration raids and audits will likely become more and more common in the future.
Trump and Hardline GOP Want to Cut All Immigration /
In an attempt to reform immigration, two Southern senators have created legislation, known as the Cotton-Perdue bill, that has been endorsed by President Trump. Unsurprisingly, this proposed bill will have negative effects for immigrants in a multitude of ways. The number of refugees is limited to 50,000 per year, the age limit for children with family or parents who are U.S. citizens will be lowered, and the number of high-skilled workers allowed in the U.S. will decrease, just to name a few of the ways this bill will hurt immigrants already in the U.S. and those who are trying to attain citizenship. Even though its supporters argue that high-skilled immigration will not change and might even increase, it is obvious the ultimate goal of the proposed legislation intends to cut all types of legal immigration in the U.S., so hopefully most congress members can see through the suggestive language. Read The Atlantic's take here.
Thank You, Immigrants! /
Trump’s racist remarks about immigrants deserve all the condemnation they are getting. They also provide an opportunity to remind everyone about the benefits immigrants from ALL countries bring to the United States. As this summary of demographic trends shows, America is changing, largely as a result of immigration and largely toward greater diversity, tolerance, and vibrancy. America is defined by immigration and the infusion of new talent, culture, customs, and energy immigrants bring to our country. Reactionary ignorance won’t change these trends. Thank you, immigrants!
Read the full story here.
Timothy R. Bakken
Founder
Immigrants Are a Gift, not a Burden /
This short letter to the editor in the Des Moines Register says it all. Let’s start the new year by remembering that America would not be the wonderful country it is without immigrants and by fighting back against those who try to divide our country by scapegoating immigrants.
Timothy R. Bakken
Founder
Happy Holidays! /
Wishing everyone a great holiday season.
2018 Employment-Based Immigration Overview and Likely Impacts on U.S. Businesses /
A series of articles nicely describes the current state of the employment-based immigration environment in the U.S., the outlook for 2018, and responses from U.S. high tech businesses and employees.
First, requests for additional evidence and denials of H-1B Petition are at an all-time high. In fact, the CIS denied more than twice as many H-1B petitions in November 2017 compared to the same time last year. Second, Bloomberg summarizes expected trends in employment-based immigration in 2018, including increased enforcement and increased scrutiny of all immigrant and nonimmigrant petitions filed by U.S. employers. Finally, U.S. tech companies are increasingly looking to Canada as a base of operations due to Canada’s more welcoming and more easily navigable employment-based immigration system.
Timothy R. Bakken
Founder