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WR Immigration News Digest

Oct 30, 2024 | Immigration Updates

Top News

E-Verify+

USCIS is set to unveil E-Verify+ for employers to have one secure location to store employees’ documentation and I-9 Forms, compare employees’ Form I-9 information against government records, and reduce data entry errors. Currently, E-Verify works with Form I-9 and provides secure 24-hour access, combating document fraud with a unique photo-matching feature. E-Verify+ builds on these benefits by combining Form I-9 and E-Verify to offer more seamless and secure experience to both employees and employers. Link to register for the November 14th E-Verify + National Stakeholder Engagement.

Impact: E-Verify+ will combine Form I-9 and E-Verify into one digital process. There are many benefits for both employers and employees, including increased efficiency, account protection, automation, and more.

Regular I-9 Webinars for Employers; eligible for professional development credits through SHRM and HRCI 

Employers can utilize free Form I-9 trainings and webinars hosted by USCIS several times per month. Free webinars for Form I-9 and E-Verify are eligible for professional development credits through Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI). Webinars in the month of November are below; please contact your WR Immigration attorney for personalized I-9 training for your company!  

  • Tuesday, Nov. 5: 2pm EST (Document Training) 
  • Wednesday, Nov. 6: 2pm EST (Form I-9 Overview) 
  • Wednesday, Nov. 13: 2pm EST (Document Training) 
  • Thursday, Nov. 14: 11am EST (Form I-9 Overview) 
  • Tuesday, Nov. 19: 11am EST (Form I-9 Overview) 
  • Wednesday, Nov. 27: 2pm EST (Form I-9 Overview) 

Impact: Verifying I-9s can be difficult and employers and employees can face serious consequences for I-9 non-compliance. These free webinars can help employers avoid common I-9 issues and non-compliance.

New EB-5 Application Data

WR Immigration’s successful Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) request revealed that EB-5 applications for High Unemployment Areas received in Fiscal Year 2023 lead the pack at a 2:1 ratio, well over Rural and other areas. The now released EB-5 application data shows Chinese investors comprised the majority of EB-5 applications, making up 1,368 applications out of 2,431 total (over 56%). Indian investors took the #2 spot with 375 applications (15.4%), and Taiwanese investors trailed at a distant #3 with 175 applications (7.2%). 

Impact: The data shows that demand for EB-5 set-aside visas is still limited, except for countries like China and India resulting in “unused” visas. As a result, applicants from countries like China and India could use these “unused’ visas.

New Jersey Employers Under Scrutiny

On August 8, 2024, New Jersey Acting Governor Tahesha Way signed a new law that holds companies accountable for weaponizing employees’ immigration status. Employers are prohibited from threatening to disclose or report an employee’s immigration status to immigration authorities as a means of coercion or from covering up labor violations due to immigration status. Noncompliant employers within the state of New Jersey may face administrative penalties and fines up to $1,000, $5,000, or $10,000 depending on the number of violations. 

Impact: This law will protect all workers regardless of immigration status but will directly protect immigrant employees from coercion and intimidation tactics from employers.

Related Posts:

Revised Age Calculation Policy Leaves Consular Processing Applicants Confused, Heartbroken

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