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On April 22, 2020, President Trump issued a proclamation suspending the entry of any individual seeking to enter the United States as an immigrant who: Is outside the United States on the effective date of the proclamation; Does not have a valid immigrant visa as of April 23, 2020; and Does not have a valid…

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) signed into law on March 18, 2020, requires certain employers to provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. The Department of Labor’s (Department) Wage and Hour Division dministers and enforces the new law’s paid leave…

The coronavirus emergency relief package, which became law Wednesday, gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off work because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig…

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has announced that it is implementing a new registration process in the next Fiscal Year 2021 H-1B lottery. Employers seeking to file H-1B cap-subject petitions for the fiscal year 2021 cap, including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption, must first electronically register and pay a $10 H-1B…

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services recently expanded its policy guidance last month regarding unlawful acts that may prevent an applicant from meeting the good moral character (“GMC”) requirement for naturalization. The commission of, or conviction or imprisonment for, an unlawful act, during the statutory period for naturalization, may render an applicant ineligible for naturalization…

California rings in the New Year and decade with new laws designed to give employees more protections of their rights, and businesses more incentives to leave the state. 1) AB 5: Codifies the ABC Test to determine whether a worker is an Independent Contractor or Employee In 2018, the California Supreme Court held that the…

Ever since I began practicing immigration law in 2000, I have used the same methodology in preparing my countless clients for their green card / adjustment of status interviews. First impressions are truly important during any interview with the USCIS. A key to making that important first impression is thoughtful organization of your supporting documents.…

Many hardworking employees who dedicate their lives and sacrifice their own health and family for the good of their corporate employers will sooner or later find a pink slip in their inbox, usually right before the holidays. Whether it’s due to “downsizing” or for whatever pretextual reason the employer can think of to justify their…

Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a final rule that clearly defines long-standing law to better ensure that aliens seeking to enter and remain in the United States — either temporarily or permanently — are self-sufficient and rely on their own capabilities and the resources of family members, sponsors, and private organizations…

Beginning July 1, 2019, businesses located in the city of Los Angeles or in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles county are now required to pay higher minimum wages – the amount of which depends on the number of employees as set forth in the charts provided by the City of Los Angeles and Los…