February 11, 2008 by Bradley Maged.

Last week, according to a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement News Release:  “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents executed a federal search warrant yesterday afternoon at a Los Angeles-area computer printer cartridge manufacturing plant, arresting eight current and former company workers on criminal charges and another 130 employees on administrative immigration violations.”

Employers who have concerns about whether their employees are legally permitted to work in the US should contact a qualified immigration attorney.  Services available include reviews of current I-9 forms and H-1B beneficiaries’ Public Information Files.  Some larger organizations may even have lawyers pretend to be potential new hires to see if HR is doing everything right. from the get-go.

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February 11, 2008 by Bradley Maged.

Many are predicting that the 65,000 annal quota for H-1B visas that are subject to the cap will be exhausted in a single day.  According to an article on nhbr.com:  “Ironically – or perhaps fittingly – the only day we can catch a glimpse of H-1B visas is April Fool’s Day. Why is that fitting? Because we Americans are foolish to restrict the number of skilled foreign workers who can come to this country each year for temporary assignments in specialty occupations.”

Unfortunately, for employers and foreign professionals the H-1B shortage is no April Fool’s joke.  Wht can you do?  Other than call your congressional representatives which probably won’t do much, I suggest planning now.  Look for alternatives to the H-1B visa or consider whether the beneficiary or employer are exempt from the 65,000 cap.  Just don’t wait until the last minute to get moving.  April 1, 2008 will be the first day the USCIS starts accepting petitions and it may be the last for the 2009 fiscal year.

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