Visa Waiver Program Travelers Are Reminded to Complete Online ESTA Application

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“USCBP”) reminds travelers from Visa Waiver Program (“VWP”) countries who plan to travel to the U.S. for temporary business or pleasure, that on March 21, 2010, they will not be allowed to board a U.S.-bound airplane or cruise ship without an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (“ESTA”). ESTA is […]


Reminder: H-1B Filing Period for Fiscal Year 2011 Commences April 1, 2010

April 1, 2010, is the first day the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) will begin accepting H-1B petitions filed on behalf of nonimmigrant workers for the 2011 fiscal year (“FY 2011”) starting October 1, 2010. The H-1B visa classification is for temporary employment of foreign professionals in specialty occupations, including but not limited […]


OFAC Issues Belarus Sanctions Regulations

On February 3, 2010, the Office of Foreign Assets Control issued a Final Rule (“Final Rule”) to add part 548, the Belarus Sanctions Regulations (the “Regulations”) to Title 31 of the Code of Federal Regulations and implement Executive Order 13405, “Blocking Property of Certain Persons Undermining Democratic Processes or Institutions in Belarus” (the “Executive Order”). The Executive Order was issued by President […]


FinCEN Issues Final Rule Expanding Section 314(a) Requests/Foreign Law Enforcement Agencies and State/Local Law Enforcement

On February 5, 2010, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) issued a Final Rule (“Final Rule”) that significantly expands the information sharing program of Section 314(a) of the USA Patriot Act (the “314(a) Rule”) and allows certain foreign law enforcement agencies as well as State and local law enforcement agencies (investigating terrorist activities or money […]


USCIS’ Realignment of Its Organizational Structure Reflects Prioritization of Fraud Detection

On January 11, 2010, in a statement made by U.S. Citizenship Immigration Services’ (“USCIS”) Director, Alejandro N. Mayorkas, it was announced that USCIS has realigned its organizational structure in order to reflect its new emphasis on the agency’s critical responsibilities regarding fraud detection. One of the most significant changes is the creation of a Fraud […]


USCIS Announces Expansion of Administrative Site Visits And Verification Programs

In U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (“USCIS”) response to a letter sent by U.S. Senator Charles Grassley inquiring about aspects of the H-1B visa program and USCIS’ efforts to combat fraud in the program, USCIS announced that, among other measures, it plans to expand its Administrative Site Visit and Verification Program (“ASVVP”) up to 25,000 […]


ICE Announces 1,000 New Workplace Audits

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the issuance of Notices of Inspection (NOIs) to 1,000 employers across the U.S. whose businesses are connected to public safety and national security on November 19, 2009. The NOIs alert business owners that ICE will audit their hiring records to determine compliance with employment eligibility verification laws. Specifically, […]


FTC Extends “Red Flag Rule” Enforcement Deadline

Today, at the last minute, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced that it will delay enforcement of the new “Red Flags Rule” of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (the “Regulations”) until August 1, 2009. This extension of which is to give creditors and financial institutions more time to develop and implement […]


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