8/20/2020: Due to the extraordinary and unprecedented COVID-19 public health emergency, the production of certain Employment Authorization Documents (Form I-766, EAD) is delayed. As a result, employees may use Form I-797, Notice of Action, with a Notice date on or after December 1, 2019 through and including August 20, 2020 informing an applicant of approval of an Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) as a Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, List C document.
8/14/2020: USCIS has selected additional H-1B applications (both Master’s and Regular Cap) for the lottery this year and have updated online accounts. USCIS has not indicated how many new applications will be accepted. We will be reaching out to clients as updates arrive.
8/3/2020: President Trump issued an Executive Order regarding H-1Bs at federal agencies.
Most importantly, the order does not create any immediate change for H-1B workers.
The order directs federal agencies to review their hiring practices to assess whether H-1B workers provided services through a contract or subcontract and assess whether there was a negative impact. Agencies are directed to submit a report within 120 days and recommend actions to be taken.