Goff Wilson Newsletter

Updated Fiscal Year 2007 H1-B Cap Usage Figures

Since it began accepting applications on April 1, USCIS has approved 6,033 H-1B beneficiaries with an additional 28,775 applications pending, for a total of 34,808 applications either granted or pending. In this same period, USCIS has approved 1,392 H-1B Advanced Degree beneficiaries with 3,246 applications pending, for a total of 4,638 applications either granted or pending. The respective caps are 58,200 for H-1B visas (with an additional 6,800 set aside for the H-1B1 program until October 1, 2006) and 20,000 for H-1B Advanced Degree visas. These numbers are current as of May 12, 2006. With this type of usage continuing, we foresee all H visas being exhausted as early as August 15, 2006.

Please contact our office at 603/ 228-1277 for more information about H-1B visas, or to speak with one of our attorneys.

The H-1B visa program is utilized by U.S. businesses to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise in a specialized field, such as scientists, engineers, computer programmers, pharmacists, allied health professionals, and physicians.

Immigration Debate Continues: Temporary Worker Program

As you are aware a new Temporary Worker Program (TWP) has been proposed to provide a legal channel for employers to hire workers when no American is willing to take the job. The program would be open to new foreign workers who are outside of the U.S. and to persons present in the U.S. without work authorization.

Senate leaders are currently debating a proposal of a broad immigration bill that would provide illegal immigrants a chance to become American citizens. They voted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 to exclude illegal immigrants convicted of a felony or three misdemeanors from a chance at remaining in the U.S. The Senate also approved an amendment reducing the number of foreigners who could participate in the TWP from 325,000 to no more than 200,000 annually. In addition the Senate bill authorizes additional spending on border security and tougher enforcement of laws prohibiting hiring of illegal workers. The Senate is hoping to pass this bill before Memorial Day. If this bill passes through the Senate, it will go in front of the House, where the Congress will try to merge this with the House’s enforcement-only proposal. Ultimately the bill will be debated in the Conference Committee between the House and the Senate.

If you have questions about how this may affect your situation, please contact our office at 603/ 228-1277 or you may e-mail us at info@goffwilson.com .

For information about the H-1B visa process, please visit our web site at:

http://www.goffwilson.com/services/serviceDetails.asp?id=6

If you have any comments on our newsletter, any topics you would like to see reviewed or if you have news, events or other items of interest that you would like to share - please forward your comments and suggestions to abouley@goffwilson.com.