09/22/2004 IMMIGRATION ALERT
UPDATE: H-1(B) AND PERM

 

The two most important issues in front of many workers are: What is the latest news on the H-1(b) cap? And what is the latest news with PERM? To that end, here are the latest updates:

H-1(b) Cap - Earlier this week, the CIS informed AILA that the H-1(b) cap will not be reached for "a few weeks". Additional numbers have been allocated to the FY2005 cap (which begins October 1, 2004). Not all of the numbers specially allocated to Singaporean and Chilean nationals were used. Those numbers had been carved out of the quota per a recent trade bill.

PERM - HLG has learned that it is likely that the PERM regulations will not be published until after the Presidential election, at the earliest. Once published the regulations are expected to become effective for four months.

As you may recall, the PERM regulations were first published in 2002. (HLG's comments on the 2002 regulations can be found here: http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/alerts/03.23.2004alert.htm).

It is believed that the new regulations may contain some significant changes from the 2002 regulations.