Here's what you should know.
8.31.2009
U.S. Department of Labor Sending Questionnaires to Certain H-1B Workers
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has begun sending detailed questionnaires to H-1B workers who are current or former employees of companies DOL is investigating. Please note that DOL states in the questionnaire that the H-1B worker is not required…
8.24.2009
Expanded Form U4 Disclosure - All Forms U4 Must Be Amended
By November 14, 2009, registered investment advisers and broker-dealers must amend all of their representatives' Forms U4 to comply with amendments to Form U4 recently approved by the SEC.
7.2.2009
ICE Form I-9 Audit Initiative: Are Employers Prepared?; H-1B Numbers Remain Available
On July 1, 2009, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ("ICE") issued a news release announcing that it is launching "a bold, new [Form I-9] audit initiative" and has issued 652 Notices of Inspection (NOIs) to employers nationwide.
6.11.2009
Act Now: Trademark Infringement on Facebook
On Tuesday, June 9, Facebook, Inc., the social networking website company, publicly announced that beginning Saturday, June 13th at 12:01 a.m. U.S. EDT, users of the Facebook website will be allowed for the first time to create personalized URLs for…
5.6.2009
New LCA System Required by U.S. Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has activated a new online system for the filing and certification of Labor Condition Applications (LCAs). The system is referred to as the "iCert Portal" and will be required as of May 15, 2009.
4.29.2009
Governor Kulongoski Signs Legislation Modifying Oregon's Mini-COBRA
In previous alerts, we informed you about changes to COBRA affected by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ("ARRA").
4.28.2009
Court Clarifies ADA Requirements
Last month U.S. District Court Judge Anna Brown made a ruling that adds some clarity to the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) and Oregon Disability Law. In Neal v. Kraft Foods…
4.9.2009
FY 2010 H-1B Numbers Remain Available
The USCIS has confirmed as of April 9 that approximately 23,000 of the 65,000 H-1B visas from the FY2010 quota remain available following the April 1 opening for filings.
3.20.2009
Recovery Act Model COBRA Notices Now Available
The Department of Labor has now posted model notices and corresponding instructions in their web site.
3.3.2009
The IRS and Department of Labor post forms, facts, and clarifications of changes to COBRA as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Last week, we notified you of the substantial changes to COBRA resulting from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the "Recovery Act").
2.26.2009
Significant Changes to COBRA Take Effect Immediately Under the New Recovery Act
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ("Recovery Act").
2.11.2009
New H-1B Filings -- April 1 Deadline
April 1, 2009 is the filing deadline for new H-1B petitions to be made under the USCIS H-1B quota (assuming, as in the past, that H-1B quota availability will be immediately exhausted). USCIS may soon announce a longer filing window, as it did last…
1.30.2009
Very Important Update to January 26 Immigration Update
The USCIS announced today that implementation of the new Form I-9 has been delayed for 60 days. The February 2 effective date is now superseded. All U.S. employers should continue to use the current version of Form I-9 until April 3, 2009.
1.26.2009
New Form I-9 Becomes Effective Monday, February 2, 2009
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing a new Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification), which becomes effective on Monday, February 2, 2009.
11.17.2008
Visa Waiver Travel and TN Status Updates
On November 17, 2008, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that seven additional countries have been added to the Visa Waiver Program.
10.7.2008
Diversity Lottery 2010 Opens
The U.S. Department of State opened entries for the Diversity Lottery 2010 (DV-2010) beginning October 2, 2008 at noon EDT, and ending December 1, 2008, at noon EST.
9.23.2008
Proposed Amendments to the ADA
Last week, the Senate and the House of Representatives passed a bill that significantly expands workplace protections for Americans with disabilities.
6.13.2008
Tonkon Torp Announces New Form I-9 Software
Tonkon Torp LLP is pleased to announce the launch of its new Form I-9 Web-based software application, EarthVisaSM.
6.10.2008
Supreme Court Decisions Likely to Result in Increased Number of Retaliation Claims
In two decisions issued on the same day at the end of May, the Supreme Court ruled that employees are protected from retaliation when they complain about discrimination in the workplace, adopting a broad interpretation of workers' rights under two…
4.14.2008
USCIS Performs H-1B Lottery Selections for FY2009
Today USCIS performed the random selection process for H-1B petitions to be selected in the FY2009 lottery. USCIS anticipates issuing receipt notices for selected cases by June 2.