Author: Jeff MacArthur

The Individual Tax Identification Number is a tax processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service to ensure that people (including unauthorized immigrants) pay taxes even if they do not have a Social Security Number. ITINs allow the IRS to bring in billions of dollars the federal government would otherwise have no way of collecting. […]

In an effort to create a “smart” version of the Form I-9 to reduce user error and make the form easier to complete, USCIS has proposed several changes to the form. These include new drop-down menus, field checks, and real-time error messages to ensure data integrity by employers. After USCIS reviews the comments on the […]

Beginning in November 2016, in accordance with the agreement signed between the United States and China to extend visa validity, Chinese citizens with 10-year B1, B2, or B1/B2 (visitor) visas in Peoples’ Republic of China passports, will be required to periodically update biographical and other information from their visa application. Updates will be required via […]

With summer upon us, cross-border travelers can enjoy their trip by keeping these “DOs” and “DON’Ts” in mind. DONT be disrespectful. When approaching inspection, each individual should have their passport or travel document ready to hand to the CBP Inspector, as well as proof of vehicle registration. Phone conversations should be ended prior to entering […]

As of June 15, 2012, certain young people brought to the United States as children are eligible to request deferred action. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) is developing a process for these young people to request deferred action and will implement the process sometime in August 2012. Deferred action is: a decision made at […]

Starting April 1, 2016, the U.S. Consulate General in Montreal will be the new interviewing site for all K-1 visas in Canada. The U.S. Consulate General in Vancouver will no longer process K-1 visas, also known as fiancé(e) visas. The U.S. Consulate General in Montreal currently provides all immigrant visa services in Canada. While traveling […]

Individuals applying for a change of status to H-4, please be advised if you travel abroad before your Form I-539, Change of Status (COS) application is approved, USCIS will consider your application abandoned. This means USCIS will deny your application. If you filed your Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and travel abroad before your […]

In an effort to improve the efficiency of the employment-based visa process, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has unveiled a “known employer” pilot program to test a preapproval process for companies seeking to bring foreign workers into the U.S. Under the pilot, nine companies will be preselected to file applications with USCIS requesting a […]

Bringing decades of immigration experience to the team, we are proud to have Samuel J. Tiranno as our NAFTA Paralegal at Berardi Immigration Law. Sam joined the firm about five years ago after an exceptional career in the Immigration Service. After serving as an Immigration Inspector at the Peace Bridge, Sam is now on the […]

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced a new rule that will allow certain foreign students with science and technology degrees to extend their optional practical training period by 24 months. The official version of the new regulation was published in the Federal Register on Friday, March 11, 2016 and is predicted to affect […]