Gunster – Immigration Alert, November 14, 2006
On November 8, 2006 the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) announced an expansion of its Premium Processing Service, which allows U.S. employers to pay a $1,000 premium processing fee in exchange for a 2-week processing of their cases. Commencing on November 13, 2006 CIS began to accept premium processing requests for Form I-140 petitions involving EB-1 Aliens of Extraordinary Ability. CIS had alreadyexpanded premium processing to include petitions involving EB-1 Outstanding Professors and Researchers, EB-2Members of Professions with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability (not seeking National Interest Waiver), EB-3 Professionals, EB-3 Skilled Workers, and EB-3 Workers other than Skilled Workers and Professionals. CIShas yet to expand this service to immigrant petitions requesting a labor certification substitution.
We want all clients to be aware that there has been and will continue to be increased scrutiny on all immigration fronts for the foreseeable future. Immigration laws and policies are in flux and practices and procedures that were routine for many years are now changing. Human Resources Directors and Managers need to remain informed, as do foreign employees that the company may be sponsoring. This advisory is not legal advice and does not substitute for legal advice inan individual case. If you have any questions concerning these changes or any other procedures or policies concerning foreign nationals within your company, please contact:
Sarah Lea Tobocman – Chair, Immigration Practice Group
Phone: 305-376-6065 – E-mail: [email protected]
Armando A. Olmedo – Senior Associate, Immigration Practice Group
Phone: 305-376-6061 – E-mail: [email protected]
Jennifer Estrella – Associate, Immigration Practice Group
Phone: 305-376-6031 – E-mail: [email protected]
