This Week’s Immigration Updates
By Site Inspections
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has started to make site inspections of employers hiring F-1 students on STEM Optional Practical Training. Usually with 48 hours’ notice, but not necessarily, employers must have a clear game plan in place which includes a designated and prepared company officer to meet with ICE, the employee’s I-983 training plan and other relevant documentation available for the ICE officer to inspect.
Changes in Passport Visa Stamps
US Customs and Border Protection has announced it will stop physically stamping passports of visa holders seeking admission to the US at certain ports of entry. The stamp in the passport shows authorized duration of stay. It is therefore incumbent on the visa or ESTA traveler to access his/her I-94 online. The I-94’s authorized duration of stay controls, not the visa expiration date in the traveler’s passport.