The Business Immigration Monthly is Hammond Law Group’s latest web-based newsletter, directed at international workers and employers seeking the most up-to-date news on U.S. immigration issues, specifically those that impact workers on H, L, E, and O visas and workers seeking permanent residency. 
January Visa Bulletin
The Department of State has released the January Visa Bulletin. Most categories moved only a month forward at best except EB2
India which retrogressed even further back to January 1, 2000! A note on the bulletin states gives further indication that EB2 India will retrogress further, possibly becoming unavailable for most of Fiscal Year 2008 (See Note D).
For full visa bulletin see: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_3897.html
Employer Wants to Hire US Workers
The Tampa Tribune recently published an article entitled “He Wants to Hire US Workers” retelling the story of Tom Beckwith, chief executive of Largo-based Beckwith Electric Co. Beckwith states that this summer he had to reluctantly offshore services to a company in India since he was not able to find the expertise in the US that he needed. Having hired up to seven H-1B employees in the past, Beckwith has been unable to win any H-1B visas the past two years under the H-1B cap, thereby leaving him no option but to offshore services. Although the costs involved for offshoring are significantly cheaper, Beckwith comments India is “a long way away, it takes a lot of coordination and I’d rather have it done in the U.S.”
http://www.tbo.com/news/money/MGBQQ9SR1AF.html
Call For Action
While we are still a few months away from the Fiscal Year 2009 H-1B cap opening up, we are continuing our efforts to exert pressure on Congress to alleviate the H-1B situation. Only with repeated, constant contact will our representatives in Congress be reminded of the need of talented workers from abroad. The lobbying coalition, Compete America [http://www.competeamerica.org] has prepared a persuasive letter to Congress that explains the impact of the H-1B crisis. We at HLG are encouraging our clients to send this letter to your US Senators and Congressmen asking for action to be taken raising the cap numbers or eliminating the cap altogether. Only with action will change occur. Please contact your HLG attorney for further information.
For letter see:
http://www.capwiz.com/aila2/attachments/Compete_Member_Blue_Green_Card_Letter_Draft.doc
For personalized covernote to letter see:
http://www.capwiz.com/aila2/attachments/Client_Letter.doc
Department of State Fees Set to Increase in January 2008
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has learned that the Department of States is going to increase nonimmigrant visa fees from $100 to $131 and immigrant visa fees by $20. The announcement was officially made by the Department of State on December 14, 2007. The increase will take effect January 1, 2008 and is being implemented to offset the costs for records clearance and system costs.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2007/dec/97384.htm
New I-9 Form Must Be Used Starting December 26th
Starting December 26th, 2007, employers are required to use the new I-9 Form for all new hires and for reverification purposes. As a reminder, the Immigration Reform and Control Act requires all U.S. employers to verify the employment eligibility and identity of all employees within the first three days of employment, by completing Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Form.
For more information, please see Federal Register at:
http://frwebgate6.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=667023284304+0+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve
USCIS Considering Comments to Replacing Green Cards
Currently the USCIS is reviewing 298 comments submitted during the public comment period for the proposition to replace permanent residency cards issued without an expiration date. The proposed rule does not invalidate these permanent residency cards. Permanent Residents who currently hold these cards may continue to use them when seeking employment, traveling, and in other situations where proof of status is required. HLG will keep you posted on further developments.
http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/I551Update_13dec07.pdf
INSZoom.com Recognized for Technological Excellence
SiliconIndia, the premier magazine for business and technology professionals of Indian origin, has ranked INS Zoom.com as one of the top 100 technology companies founded and managed by Indians in the US for the third year in a row. INSZoom is the case management system used by HLG since 2000. Founder and CEO of INSZoom Umesh Vaidyamath comments on the honor, “We are privileged to receive the 2007 si100 award. SiliconIndia is a highly respected publication and their recognition of INSZoom’s achievements over the past year is testament to the dedication and commitment of all our employees worldwide.“Since we began in 1999, INSZoom has always strived to provide leading edge technologies to our legal and corporate clients. It’s an honor to see our dedication to technological excellence reflected in this award.”
www.inszoom.com
H-2Bs Remain Available for Fiscal Year 2008
As of December 10, 2007, the USCIS has received 13,434 H-2B petitions. This is more than 1/3 the amount allocated for the second half of the fiscal year 2008 (i.e. 33,000). H-2B visas are used by employers to hire seasonal or intermittent temporary workers. Typically, H-2B workers fill labor needs in the construction, health care, landscaping, lumber, manufacturing, food service/processing, and resort/hospitality service industries.
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/
HLG Welcomes Anne Rodrigo
Anne Rodrigo has joined our Cincinnati office as an associate in the business immigration practice group. She earned a J.D. from the DePaul University College of Law in 2005 and a B.A. from the University of Cincinnati in 2001. Anne will focus on employment-based immigration cases. Anne speaks Spanish and has both worked and studied abroad. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the Cincinnati Bar Association, and the Ohio Bar Association.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/bios/anne_rodrigo_bio.htm HLG WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND ITS WARMEST WISHES TO YOU AND YOURS DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!!! | 
