DHS presenta propuesta para mejorar el programa de trabajadores con ocupaciones especializadas H-1B
Kris Quadros-Ragar • January 11, 2024
Click here to read this article in English
El Departamento de Seguridad Nacional de los EE. UU. (DHS), a través de los Servicios de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de los EE. UU. (USCIS), ha presentado un Aviso de reglamentación propuesta (NPRM) con el objetivo de modernizar el programa de trabajadores de ocupación especializada H-1B. Esta reforma propuesta tiene como objetivo simplificar los requisitos de elegibilidad, mejorar la eficiencia del programa, proporcionar mejores beneficios y flexibilidades tanto para los empleadores como para los trabajadores y reforzar las medidas para garantizar la integridad del programa.
El programa H-1B juega un papel vital al permitir que los empleadores estadounidenses recluten el talento que necesitan para satisfacer las demandas comerciales y mantener su competitividad en el ámbito global, al tiempo que cumplen con las protecciones legales de los trabajadores estadounidenses. Alejandro N. Mayorkas, Secretario de Seguridad Nacional, afirma que el DHS está comprometido a desarrollar e implementar regulaciones que agilicen los procesos para empleadores y trabajadores en el sistema de inmigración. La principal prioridad de la Administración Biden-Harris es atraer talento global, reducir cargas indebidas para los empleadores y combatir el fraude y el abuso en el sistema de inmigración.
Según el programa de visas de no inmigrante H-1B, los empleadores estadounidenses pueden emplear temporalmente a trabajadores extranjeros en ocupaciones especializadas que requieren conocimientos altamente especializados y una licenciatura o superior en el campo específico.
La regla propuesta describe cambios significativos, incluida una modificación en la forma en que USCIS lleva a cabo el proceso de selección de registro H-1B para reducir el potencial de uso indebido y fraude. El sistema actual permite una mayor probabilidad de selección en la lotería para las personas con más registros presentados en su nombre. Sin embargo, la propuesta sugiere que cada individuo con un registro presentado debería ingresar al proceso de selección una vez, independientemente del número de registros presentados. Este cambio tiene como objetivo nivelar el campo de juego y reducir el incentivo de presentar múltiples registros para el mismo beneficiario para aumentar sus probabilidades de selección. Además, podría ampliar las oportunidades laborales para los beneficiarios, ya que cada solicitante de registro con un beneficiario seleccionado tendría la opción de presentar una petición H-1B en su nombre.
La norma propuesta también introduce varias otras disposiciones, entre ellas:
- Simplificar los criterios de elegibilidad revisando los criterios para puestos de ocupaciones especializadas, reduciendo la confusión y aclarando que un puesto puede aceptar una variedad de títulos siempre que estén directamente relacionados con las funciones del puesto.
- Mejorar la eficiencia del programa al formalizar la práctica de los adjudicadores de aplazar determinaciones anteriores cuando no ha habido cambios en los hechos subyacentes durante una nueva presentación.
- Extender los beneficios y flexibilidades a empleadores y trabajadores, como ampliar las exenciones al límite H-1B para ciertas entidades sin fines de lucro, organizaciones gubernamentales de investigación y beneficiarios que no sean empleados directos de una organización calificada. También proporciona flexibilidad adicional para los estudiantes con visa F-1 que buscan cambiar su estatus a H-1B e introduce nuevos requisitos de elegibilidad H-1B para empresarios emergentes.
- Fortalecer las medidas de integridad evitando que entidades relacionadas presenten múltiples registros para el mismo beneficiario, facultando a USCIS para realizar visitas al sitio y aclarando que el incumplimiento de las visitas al sitio puede llevar a la denegación o revocación de la petición.
El NPRM (publicado aquí) invita a comentarios públicos durante un período de 60 días después de su publicación en el Registro Federal. Es fundamental tener en cuenta que estos cambios propuestos solo entrarán en vigor después de pasar por el proceso de finalización y recibir la aprobación mediante una revisión federal. Algunos de estos cambios pueden implementarse a tiempo para la temporada límite H-1B del año fiscal 2025, que se espera que comience a principios de 2024. USCIS ha indicado la posibilidad de implementar estos cambios de manera incremental a través de una o más publicaciones finales de reglas.
Fuente:
Enlace NPRM:
Este blog no pretende ser asesoramiento legal y nada aquí debe interpretarse como el establecimiento de una relación abogado-cliente. Programe una consulta con un abogado de inmigración antes de actuar según cualquier información leída aquí.
On September 14, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a nationwide preliminary injunction in Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security , halting the implementation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) final rule that was scheduled to eliminate “duration of status” (D/S) on September 15, 2026. As a result of this nationwide order, DHS is blocked from enforcing fixed periods of admission for F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and I media representatives while the litigation moves forward. Because the current “duration of status” framework remains in full effect, F, J, and I visa holders are not required to file Form I-539 extension of stay applications to remain in valid status beyond program end dates at this time. Furthermore, restrictions on academic transfers, constraints on enrolling in second programs at the same degree level, 240-day caps on continued employment while extensions are pending, and shortened grace periods do not apply during the injunction. F-1 nonimmigrants retain the full 60-day post-completion grace period, and J-1 holders maintain their 30-day grace period. However, please note that this preliminary injunction is not a final ruling invalidating the rule , and a status conference is scheduled for October 2, 2026, to determine next steps in the litigation. Immediate Practice Tips: Inspect I-94 Travel Records Upon Reentry: F, J, and I visa holders currently admitted under D/S retain their status and should continue to be readmitted under D/S following international travel until the injunction is lifted. However, because the I-94 record controls legal stay, travelers must inspect their CBP-issued Form I-94 immediately upon reentry to confirm the "Admit Until Date" states "D/S" rather than a specific expiration date. If a specific date is mistakenly recorded, contact a local CPB Deferred Inspection Site. Notify HR and Review Workplace Compliance: Employers sponsoring F-1 or J-1 employees should inform HR and hiring managers that the September 15 fixed-period rule is postponed and standard D/S rules govern. This development does not alter standard filing windows or Form I-9 verification procedures for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT extensions. Maintain Operational Readiness and Defer Unnecessary Filings: Visa holders and employers should defer travel or filing strategy decisions made solely in anticipation of the fixed-admission rule. Because DHS may appeal or the court could alter the timeline on short notice, institutions and visa holders should maintain readiness to adjust plans if implementation resumes. There are many evolving components to this litigation. If you are an F-1, J-1, or I visa holder, sponsoring institution, or employer, you should proactively coordinate with your international student office and legal counsel to protect your status and monitor upcoming court proceedings.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published its final rule eliminating the longstanding "duration of status" (D/S) policy for F, J, and I visa holders, replacing it with a fixed period of admission effective September 15, 2026. This rule requires that those who need additional time to complete their programs must file Form I-539 with USCIS or travel abroad and seek to reenter to extend their authorized period of stay. F and J visa holders present in the U.S. and in valid status on September 15, 2026, will be allowed to remain in the United States until the Program End Date listed on their current Form I-20 (for F-1s) or Form DS-2019 (for J-1s), up to a maximum of four years (until September 15, 2030) plus a 60-day grace period for F-1s and a 30-day grace period for J-1s, without filing an Extension of Status request with USCIS. However, this safety net only applies while staying in the U.S.; international travel and subsequent reentry after September 15, 2026 will result in readmission under the new rule with an I-94 that expires on the Program End Date or Employment Authorization Document (EAD) expiration, but no later than four-years after their date of re-entry. Additionally, once re-admitted under the new rules, F-1s will only receive a 30-day grace period. Immediate Practice Tips: Any F-1 or J-1 nonimmigrant currently in the U.S. who plans to change programs, start a new degree level, or needs more time to complete their studies must work with their school or program sponsor to update their SEVIS record and receive an extended Form I-20 or DS-2019 before September 15, 2026. Eligible F-1 students should submit their post-completion OPT or STEM OPT work authorization applications (Form I-765) before September 15, 2026, to secure their status and drastically reduce the likelihood of needing a Form I-539 extension application. Any F-1 student who is eligible to apply for OPT or STEM OPT before March 18, 2027, should do so as soon as they are eligible to file their Form I-765. Since F-1s can file OPT applications up to 90 days in advance of graduation, F-1 students graduating before June 15,2027, should be able to file their OPT applications before March 18, 2027, and should do so to avoid also having to file Form I-539 to extend their stay. Thus, most F-1 students graduating in December 2026 and May/June 2027 should be able to take advantage of the transition rule’s delay in having to file Form I-539 applications and should only need to file Form I-765 to apply for OPT. Incoming F-1 and J-1 students who can enter the United States before the September 15, 2026 effective date (within the permissible 30-day window prior to their program start) should do so to benefit from the transition rules, including the full 60-day F-1 grace period and deferred extension requirements. Students (F-1 and J-1) who are planning international travel should return before the effective date if possible to preserve their transition benefits. There are many parts of the rule that are not discussed here. If you are currently an F-1 or J-1 visa holder, you should proactively coordinate with your institutions and international office to protect your status and stay informed.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released updated policy guidance detailing how officers will evaluate "public charge" inadmissibility for individuals applying for green cards through adjustment of status. This update follows a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) final rule that rescinds the 2022 public charge regulations. The new policy takes effect on September 18, 2026 , and applies to all green card applications (Form I-485) postmarked or submitted on or after that date. Who Is Subject to the Public Charge Rule? Most family-based and employment-based green card applicants will be subject to the public charge ground of inadmissibility. This includes spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, as well as most employment visa preference categories, investors, and diversity visa applicants. Certain categories remain explicitly exempt under immigration law. These include: Asylees and refugees Victims of human trafficking (T visa) or crime (U visa) Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioners Special Immigrant Juveniles Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applicants Certain military-related applicants and other designated humanitarian groups How USCIS Will Make Determinations USCIS officers will evaluate whether an applicant is likely to become a public charge by reviewing the totality of their circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Key factors include: Five Statutory Factors: Age, health, family status, assets/financial resources, and education or skills. Affidavit of Support: Submission of Form I-864 executed by a sponsor. Use of Public Benefits: USCIS will look at means-tested public benefits, such as cash assistance for income maintenance, housing assistance, food stamps (SNAP), or college financial aid. Note on timing: For benefits received before September 18, 2026, USCIS will only consider public cash assistance for income maintenance and long-term institutionalization at government expense. For benefits received on or after September 18, 2026, the broader consideration of all listed means-tested benefits will apply. Public Charge Bonds If an officer determines that an applicant is inadmissible solely on public charge grounds, USCIS may issue a Notice of Intent to Deny that invites the applicant to post a public charge bond using Form I-945. If an invited applicant successfully posts the required cash or surety bond, USCIS may approve the application for permanent residence. Public charge bonds can only be submitted if explicitly invited by USCIS. Santos Lloyd Law Firm will continue to monitor immigration developments closely and provide updates as further implementation details are released. For more information, please access: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-issues-guidance-on-making-public-charge-inadmissibility-determination
