H-4 dependant spouses may now work under certain circumstances

USCIS began accepting applications for employment authorization from certain H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B nonimmigrants who are seeking employment-based lawful permanent resident status. USCIS published a revised Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with an edition date of February 13, 2015, which contains the eligibility category (c)(26) for H-4 dependent spouses. While USCIS will continue …

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DAPA Rallies

NBC News reports that over 30 rallies, marches, and events are taking place across the country today as part of a national day of action to push for the implementation of DAPA. Had the program not been temporarily enjoined, undocumented parents of U.S. citizens or LPRs could have begun applying for temporary deportation relief and …

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Court Finds Judge’s Deportation Warning at Guilty Plea Proceeding Does Not Satisfy Padilla

The Fifth Circuit reversed the district court, holding that a judge’s statement at a guilty plea proceeding that deportation is “likely” does not foreclose a noncitizen defendant’s ability to demonstrate prejudice as a result of counsel’s failure to provide Padilla-required advice about the immigration consequences of the plea.

H2B Cap reopened

USCIS reopened the FY2015 H-2B cap today, and is now accepting petitions requesting new H-2B workers with an employment start date between April 1, 2015, and September 30, 2015. The agency explained that the number of H-2B visas actually issued by the State Department was less than the number of beneficiaries seeking consular notification that …

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