[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The US House of Representatives passed two expansive immigration bills yesterday, one benefitting "Dreamers" and TPS holder and one benefitting agricultural workers.  The American Dream and Promise Act was passed with a vote of 228 to 197 and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act passed by a vote of 247 to 174.  The fate of both bills now rests in the US Senate, where passage is unclear.  Millions of undocumented immigrants could benefit if these bills become law, allowing them to work and live in the United States without the fear of deportation and to eventually seek US citizenship.  The two bills include similar provisions found in the US Citizenship Act of 2021 that we have previously blogged about, but are more focused on specific pieces of that larger legislation. The American Dream and Promise Act of 2021, introduced by California congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, would enable Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients, undocumented immigrants who were brought to the country as children who do not have DACA protections and meet certain requirements, and recipients of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) to apply for conditional permanent residence for 10 years.  Full lawful permanent residence would be available to applicants who have earned a college degree or are in the process of earning a college degree, served honorably in the military for at least two years, or have worked in the country with authorization for at least three years.  All House Democrats and seven House Republicans supported the bill's passage. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021, introduced by California congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, would allow immigrant farmworkers who have worked in the country for at least 180 days in a 2-year period to apply for a temporary, renewable legal status.  Depending on previous work history, these workers would eventually be allowed to apply for permanent residency after four or eight years of additional agricultural work.  It would also extend the validity of an H-2A visa to three years.  All but one House Democrats and thirty House Republicans voted in favor of the bill. Both bills will now move to the US Senate, where the outlook of passage is murky.  The bills would likely need the support of all Democratic Senators and at least 10 Republican senators before the bills can become law. The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth will continue to monitor the status of these bills as they continue their way through Congress.  Our immigration lawyers have been helping people live and work in the United States since 1984.  If either of these immigration bills become law our team will be able to help eligible immigrants with the entire process from start to finish.  But regardless of potential changes to immigration law, we can examine everyone's specific immigration status, documented or undocumented, and help determine possible paths forward with a free legal consultation.  Call our offices today at 888-517-9888 to speak with an immigration expert![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]H-1B season officially opened last week with the opening of the H-1B Electronic Registration Process.  For 2021 (Fiscal Year 2022), the registration period is from March 9, noon EST to March 25, noon EDT.  The electronic registration process, implemented by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) only last year, acknowledges that in a typical year, the number of applications is larger than the total number of visas.  In years past, every applicant had to submit the lengthy H-1B application and associated fees, prior to the lottery.  If the applicant was not selected in the lottery, the time, effort, and money spent on the application essentially went to waste.  Now, applicants only need to register electronically and pay a $10 fee.  They only need to submit an official application and pay necessary fees If they are chosen in the lottery, significantly reducing time and paperwork for the applicants. When the system was implemented last year, the process seemed to work without too many complaints.  The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) offered feedback of the system late last year, along with recommendations on how to make the system work better.  Most of the recommendations focused on difficulties users encountered during data entry and account creation.  On March 5 of this year, USCIS issued guidance addressing some of the "common mistakes" made using the electronic registration service.  According to USCIS, the top two user errors were creating the wrong type of account and entering the beneficiary more than once.  The USCIS has an FAQ for the electronic registration process. When electronic registration ends on March 25th, the lottery process will take place shortly thereafter.  H-1B seekers who are chosen in the lottery should be notified of their selection by USCIS before the end of March.  Petitions for H-1B visas can be filed as early as April 1st. Do you have questions about the H-1B registration and application process?  The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth helps applicants and petitioners ensure that the H-1B visa application process is successful from start to finish.  Initial immigration consultations are free.  Our immigration attorneys have a track record of success helping H-1B applicants and petitioners complete the H-1B visa process successfully.  Call us today at 888-517-9888 to speak with our experts today![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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** UPDATE **

See the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services guidelines here.

Yesterday afternoon, the Biden administration announced that it would be granting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to eligible Venezuelan nationals.  The order could provide around 320,000 Venezuelans work permits and protections from deportation.  The Biden administration made the decision after determining that it is not safe for Venezuelans currently in the United States to return to their home country due to economic conditions and political instability.  TPS protections for Venezuelans will be in effect until at least September of 2022. See the full news story here. The designation fulfills one of President Biden's campaign promises and gives a clear indication as to the trajectory of immigration policy under his administration.  When we have previously blogged about TPS, it was mostly about the Trump administration's attempts to end the program for certain nationals or the court cases stemming from those attempts.  Since the inauguration of President Biden, our immigration blogs have been about focused on the expansion or planned expansion of legal rights for immigrants. The TPS designation will be available for any undocumented Venezuelan national who was living in the United States on Monday, March 8, 2021.  Eligible immigrants will have six months to complete an application process and pay the necessary fees.  When designated, recipients of TPS can work legally and live without fear of deportation.  TPS is temporary and may or may not extended when the time period expires.  Whether or not TPS protections are extended is typically determined by the conditions of the immigrants' home countries and whether or not it is safe for them to return. Even with TPS protections, it is still important for TPS holders to pursue permanent residency.  With permanent residency provides stronger protection from deportation and can lead to United States citizenship.  The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth has been helping immigrants seek visas and green cards since 1984.  For a free immigration consultation, call our offices today at 888-517-9888.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]