[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Immigration arrests made during fiscal year 2021 have dropped by more than 50 percent from levels seen under pre-pandemic polices during the Trump administration.  According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), around 72,000 immigration arrests were made during FY 2021, down from the average 148,000 arrests made during FY 2017-2019 and below pandemic-impacted FY 2020, which saw about 104,000 arrests.  The reduction in immigration arrests is seen mostly as a product of immigration policies implemented during the Biden administration. The statistics provided by Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) are for noncitizens in the United States facing a final order of removal from the country.  They do not include arrests and deportations made on the borders.  Several policies have led to lower immigration arrests, including a policy that entering the United States illegally should not be the sole basis for removal.  Under Trump administration policies, ERO was directed to arrest anyone found to be in the US without documentation.  Under Biden administration policies, ERO is directed to prioritize recent border crossers, criminals, and national security threats. Under the new directives, the number of arrests has fallen by more than half, but the number of arrests of serious criminals with aggravated felony convictions increased by almost 70 percent.  The number of arrests of sex offenders increased by about 87 percent. See the full news story here. It was also recently announced that Department of Homeland Security has directed ICE to stop conducting mass raids on workplaces, a tactic commonly used during the Trump administration.  Instead of targeting immigrants, ICE will target the employers who hire immigrants without work authorization.  It is not uncommon for these workplaces to exploit undocumented labor and to threaten them should they report unsafe working conditions.  The guidelines also allow for undocumented workers to become witnesses if they are victims of their employer. See the full news story here. The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth continues to monitor for any significant changes to immigration law to better help us serve our clients.  We have been helping immigrants to the United States live and work legally in the country since 1984.  We examine every clients' situation to help them determine the best course of action to receive work visas and green cards.  We offer free immigration consultations, so call us today at 888-517-9888![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Employment-based visas are available for eligible foreign workers who meet certain requirements.  Before a foreign worker can be hired however, businesses must follow certain steps to allow them to hire an eligible foreign worker.  One such requirement is that a business must attest that a US citizen cannot perform the work of the position they are trying to hire for.  To prove that their company meets this requirement, the business must complete the permanent labor certification (PERM) process with the US Department of Labor (DOL). Immigrants to the United States seeking an employment-based visa do not have any specific responsibilities when it comes to this stage of the immigration process.  That said, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) does advise that immigrants seeking employment in the US could benefit from an understanding of the program.  However, the PERM process is solely the domain of employers.  Businesses seeking foreign workers must receive PERM certification from DOL prior to seeking immigration authorization with USCIS. PERM certification requires the DOL to verify that hiring a foreign worker for the position in question will not have a negative effect on workers in the United States.  Specifically, DOL examines how the hiring of the position will affect the wages, working conditions, and job opportunities of American workers.  With all the sensitive information potentially involved, it is very important for businesses seeking PERM certification to be precise. The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth helps businesses seeking to hire foreign workers complete the PERM labor certification process.  Our immigration attorneys have been helping people who want to work in the United States, and the businesses the hire them, since 1984.  We provide free initial consultations and can explain how our law firm customizes its services to help your company meet its business goals.  Call us now at 888-517-9888![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]