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USCIS to Start Accepting H-1B Petitions for FY 2012 on April 1, 2011

WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will start accepting H-1B petitions subject to the fiscal year (FY) 2012 cap on April 1, 2011. Cases will be considered accepted on the date USCIS receives a properly filed petition for which the correct fee has been submitted; not the date that the petition is postmarked.

USCIS Reminds Japanese Nationals Impacted by Recent Disaster of Available Immigration Benefits

WASHINGTON—In light of the recent earthquakes and tsunami in Japan, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminds Japanese nationals of certain U.S. immigration benefits available upon request.

USCIS understands that a natural disaster can affect an individual’s ability to establish or maintain lawful immigration status. Temporary relief measures available to eligible nationals of Japan may include:

USCIS Seeks Public Comments on New Prevailing Wage Rates for H-2B Construction Workers in Guam

—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is seeking comments from the public on the proposed prevailing wage rates received from the Guam Department of Labor for construction workers in Guam employed under the H-2B temporary worker program, and the system the governor of Guam uses to determine the rates.

USCIS Announces H-1B Cap Exemptions Based on Relation or Affiliation

WASHINGTON— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced in response to recent stakeholder feedback, that it is currently reviewing its policy on H-1B cap exemptions for non-profit entities that are related to or affiliated with an institution of higher education. Until further guidance is issued, USCIS is temporarily applying interim procedures to H-1B non-profit entity petitions filed with the agency seeking an exemption from the statutory H-1B numerical cap based on an affiliation with or relation to an institution of higher education.

Relief for Japan and Other Nationals from the Pacific Stranded due to the Earthquakes and Tsunami

This advisory is for Japanese and other foreign nationals from the Pacific stranded in the United States due to the earthquakes and tsunami devastation in the Pacific. If you have exceeded or are about to exceed your authorized stay in the U.S. you may be permitted up to an additional 30 days to depart.

Visitors traveling under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP):

USCIS Will Offer Protection for Victims of Human Trafficking and Other Violations

WASHINGTON— As part of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Blue Campaign to combat human trafficking, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will permit victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation and others who have filed civil action against their employer and held A-3 and G-5 visas to remain and work legally in the U.S. while their civil cases are pending.