Month: January 2021

A recent article by Forbes investigated how the new administration could affect declining international student enrollment at U.S. universities. Surveys showed that the enrollment of new international students declined by 43% in Fall of 2020 mostly due to issues surrounding COVID-19. There has also been a series of Trump administration policies that have made education in the U.S. much less attractive to international students. Surveys also reported a 72% drop in the new enrollment of international students physically in the United States.

Universities claimed that new plans for international education and employment-based immigration brought forth by the Biden administration could reverse the trend.

Will Enrollment Improve Before Spring Semester?

Alan W. Cramb, president of Illinois Institute of Technology, touched on the risks universities face should the pandemic prevent students enrolled in Fall 2020 from coming to U.S. campuses for the Spring 2021 semester in an interview. While some consulates are said to be opening for visa interviews in India and Europe, there will still be difficulty and they may close down again. 

Will News of the Vaccine Help Enrollment?

Cramb also expressed the promise of the vaccine in the interview, noting “This will make a difference eventually and we all hope that Fall 2021 could be more normal – if there will be a more normal situation in the future.”

Compounding a Trending Decline in the U.S.

Even before the coronavirus pandemic, the Forbes article touched on how the United States had fallen behind other countries in attracting international students. For four consecutive years, U.S. universities saw a decline in new enrollment of international students compared to Canadian universities which saw an increase before the pandemic. 

How Will Policies from the Biden Administration Help?

The article explained how certain policies from the Biden administration could reverse the U.S. decline in international students, including the following options:

• Rescinding the Trump administration’s proposed rule to limit study in the U.S. to fixed periods of admission
• Rescinding a new rule from the Department of Labor designed to inflate the salaries of international students and others who seek H-1B status 
• Rescinding a DHS rule that would make it difficult for foreign nationals to qualify
• Withdrawing a proposed rule that would end the H-1B lottery
• Developing a national strategy for recruiting international students

Focusing on preventing the decline in international student enrollment is vital to the success of the United States as they provide needed revenue, help retain professors interested in pursuing research, and provide a source of talent for companies in the country.

U.S. universities believe that with the right set of policies, America can reverse the decline in international students. Contact The GIG Law Firm for more Los Angeles immigration law expertise and help evaluating your case.

Immigration law contains several sections on various types of visas for immigration and alien residency or visitor status. As such, it can be confusing for people new to the process to understand which types of visas are relevant and how to properly apply for them. One of the best things that anyone can do is to hire an immigration lawyer that can specifically help with Los Angeles H1B visa cases. 

An H1B visa lawyer in Los Angeles will be able to sit down with people and walk them through the process of applying for and obtaining that visa. They may also be able to advise on when someone should be looking for a different type of visa or immigration option if the H1B law doesn’t fit their exact needs or situation. 

How Does the H1B Visa Work?

For starters, individuals cannot file for or apply for this type of visa on their own. This must be done by U.S. companies that are sponsoring the people that they want to employ. The government only makes so many of these visas available each year, so they are limited in quantity, and to qualify, people must meet several criteria. 

The H1B operates on a points-based system and is only available to those who are capable of earning 12 points or more. This requires a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree, as well as 12 years of work experience. While any specialist employee may be awarded one of these visas, common applicants come from industries like finance, IT, medicine and science, architecture, and similar fields.

Since there is a huge demand for this visa and a limited supply, it is always in the best interest of companies and the employees they are applying for to work with a qualified immigration lawyer. They will need to provide documentation of education and/or work experience that totals an equivalent of at least 12 points. Three points are given for each year of college, with one point awarded for every year of work experience. 12 is the minimum and some people will score much higher. 

Who Pays for the Fees?

A common question involved in any visa case is how the filing fees and other costs are paid. It may even be a question of the petitioner as to who should pay for the legal representation. Since the employer is doing the legwork and requesting the visa, the financial responsibility is generally on their shoulders. After all, it is to their benefit that the individual is allowed to work in the U.S. so that they can retain them for their specialty skills. 

The standard H1B visa filing fee changes from one year to the next, so applicants and their employees will need to contact a reputable H1B visa lawyer in Los Angeles to discuss what the cost will be, as well as any legal fees and associated costs. Fortunately, again, most employers take care of this so employees will only need to assist with documentation and paperwork. 

What Can People Do with This Visa?

Upon being approved for this type of visa, people will be able to live and work in the United States legally. They can extend their stay in the country based on their work and the demand for their specialty skills. This also allows dependent spouses and children under 21 years of age to stay with the petitioner in the U.S. for as long as they are granted visa status. 

One thing that many people don’t realize is that petitioners don’t have to stay with their sponsoring employer forever. While there may be specific terms between the employer and petitioner for the visa, the law does allow those holding an H1B visa to change employers, so long as they are still working in a specialist field and performing work for which they are the most qualified individual. 

Those who are looking for other types of work-related visas, including ones that allow them to apply as an individual, will need to discuss their situation with an immigration lawyer to determine the best course of action. It doesn’t cost a lot to have professional representation in your immigration case and it’s worth the peace of mind. This will ensure that everything is done to the letter of the law, which will provide more likelihood that the visa application will be approved, and the process will be swift and efficient. 

Choose an Experienced Lawyer

While some lawyers will claim that they can handle any case, there are some things best left to the experts. Immigration law is one of those areas, which is why you must hire a qualified lawyer that is experienced for the type of visa that you need. For example, you might need an L1 visa lawyer in Los Angeles or someone familiar with TN visa law in Los Angeles. If so, feel free to ask specifically what kind of experience the firm has and how many cases they’ve handled, as well as the outcomes. 

In addition to experience, it’s helpful to choose a lawyer that has your best interests in mind and that will work with you to take the stress out of the process. Even though the employer is responsible for the filing and application process, the employee still has a stake in the game. Knowing there’s a good lawyer on the case gives everyone peace of mind. Not only that, but most companies have better things to do than micromanage their legal matters. 

With a better understanding of immigration law, the entire process can be easier and less uncertain for employees, employers, and everyone involved in the process. After all, the process is daunting enough without added stress. Those who have an experienced immigration lawyer that understands these visas and knows how to help secure the best chances of approval will enjoy a much easier, less stressful process in getting their visa situation settled. 

Not all lawyers are created equally, and this is especially true in the case of immigration law. This is a specialty field that is unique and requires dedicated experience and education to keep up with the complex laws and requirements of immigration in the United States. Hiring the first lawyer that comes up in the search engine is no guarantee that they will be the best person for the job — this simply means that they’re the most effective at marketing themselves to their audience. 

It’s up to individuals to do their own homework when hiring the right legal representation. A little bit of research can go a long way. 

Find Experience and Success

When looking at different law firms, it is important to check out their track record and previous case history. Find testimonials or reviews where firsthand experiences are shared for an inside look at what the law firm or lawyer can offer. People should also consider the types of cases that they work with. For example, even in the case of immigration law, it’s important to ensure that the lawyer is familiar with H1B visas or whatever other type of visa that is being sought. 

Licensing

Although this might seem obvious to some, it’s often overlooked in a panic to find an attorney. People need to find the best immigration law firm in Los Angeles that is located in and licensed to practice law in L.A., or at least in the State of California. It doesn’t matter what someone’s track record is like if they cannot practice in the state where the individual needs representation, after all. 

Even though the process of visa applications and approvals happens at the federal level, some states have laws or guidelines for how the process can or should take place. Therefore, having a lawyer that is licensed and experienced in a specific state is going to be critical to the outcome. It isn’t enough just to find the best lawyer. People have to find the best local lawyer for the best representation. 

Ask Questions

There is a lot of unknown information for most people going into an immigration case, or any other legal case for that matter. When someone allows themselves the opportunity to research the best immigration lawyer Los Angeles has to offer, they are giving themselves the chance to ask as many questions as they want. If certain things need to be handled during the case, or prior to filing, the lawyer can help. If people just want to know how the process works, they will explain. The best lawyers will have no trouble answering questions and helping people better understand the process, even before they get started or retained. 

Not only will understanding the process make it easier, but it will also make it less stressful for everyone involved. It’s one of the best reasons to take a little time to explore the options and find the right lawyer for the job. When people can ask questions, it also gives them the chance to get a feel for the lawyer and determine not only if they’re the right fit, but to determine if the lawyer is going to give them information “straight up” and not talk in circles with a bunch of jargon that doesn’t help. 

Referrals and Reviews Help, Too

Especially in an area like immigration law, getting insight from others who have gone through the process can be helpful. This includes checking reviews for lawyers and asking for referrals or recommendations from people. Having this kind of information makes it easier to see what an actual case experience will be like. Plus, hearing it from another individual can make it easier to understand and more believable than just hearing it from the law firm themselves. 

When it comes to immigration lawyers, it is crucial to check on their track record and experience with the specific type of visa that is in question or needed. Some immigration lawyers are capable of handling just about any case because of their years of experience. Others might have more experience in one place or another or a better track record of success with certain types of visas or cases. That’s important to note when it comes to something as serious as immigration. 

How Can a Los Angeles Immigration Lawyer Help with an H1B Visa?

When employers are looking to obtain an H1B visa, there are a lot of steps involved in the process. Plus, they have to ensure that the petitioner meets the requirements, which includes 12 points added up based on college degrees and work experience. They are awarded one point for each year of work experience and three points for each year of college. Those who hire the best visa lawyer Los Angeles offers will have a much easier time getting through the process of obtaining this type of visa. 

Lawyers will also be able to help determine which type of visa is necessary, such as if someone needs an H1A visa or an L1 visa instead of the H1B. There are several types of visa and residency options for those who are going through the immigration process and it is important to understand which one is the right one based on the individual circumstances and situation. 

Another benefit of having a lawyer for H1B visa cases is that this has to be done by an employer. Thus, the employee will not be able to handle the legalities and logistics. The employer has a business to run and doesn’t need to waste valuable time trying to navigate the legal process involved with visa applications and immigration. By choosing the best immigration lawyer Los Angeles has to offer, companies will be able to get back to business and leave the legal work to the pros. 

Not only that, but H1B visas are issued in limited supply each year, so having a lawyer can help people ensure a better chance at earning theirs when the competition is stiff. 

Taking the time to do research on immigration attorneys, ask questions and read reviews or ask for referrals can help lead to the best possible long-term outcome in the immigration process.