Acer Data Labs Inc.

USCIS announced on May 3, 2017, that it has completed data entry of all fiscal year 2018 H-1B cap-subject petitions selected in our computer-generated random process. USCIS will now begin returning all H-1B cap-subject petitions that were not selected. Due to the high volume of filings, USCIS is unable to provide a definite time frame for returning these petitions. USCIS asks petitioners not to inquire about the status of submitted cap-subject petitions until they receive a receipt notice or an unselected petition is returned. USCIS will issue an announcement once all the unselected petitions have been returned.

Additionally, USCIS is transferring some Form I-129 H-1B cap subject petitions from the Vermont Service Center to the California Service Center to balance the distribution of cap cases. If your case is transferred, you will receive notification in the mail. After receiving the notification, please send all future correspondence to the center processing your petition.

2018 FY H1B Lottery has been started. We have had our first filing fee checks cashed for cap-subject H-1B petitions from both CA and VT.

ACER DATA LABS INC have a comprehensive training plan and performance evaluation process in place and are able to hire STEM OPT students for our projects. We request OPT students whose employers refuse to sign I-983 forms and have work experience to send their resumes to [email protected] or call us at 248-513-4865

Enrollment for new batch's is starting next week for Java/ Pega Developers, SQL BI, Microsoft Dynamics, Amazon Web Services/ Linux Admin. Please call 440 399 3336 or email [email protected] for further information.

Great News! On October 14, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved the proposed regulation on STEM OPT Extension, just 12 days after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) submitted it for review.

The new rules would

1. allow F-1 STEM students who have elected to pursue 12 months of OPT in the United States to extend the OPT period by 24 months(STEM OPT extension).

2. allow all F-1 students to automatically extend the duration of F-1 status and any current employment authorization until October 1 of the fiscal year for which H-1B visa is being requested.

Some criticize that, "By increasing the total amount of time a foreign student may work in OPT after each degree to 3 years - the same amount of time that an H-1B visa would be valid - there is little doubt that the Administration has administratively established a de facto shadow H-1B program, in violation of Congressional intent.

This proposed rule is expected to be officially published in the federal register on October 19, so the public would be permitted to submit comments to the DHS. Then, the DHS is required to review and consider these comments prior to making any final decision on the proposed regulation.

STEP OPT PROPOSED RULE MAKING:

Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

SUMMARY:
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes to amend its F-1 non immigrant student visa regulations on optional practical training (OPT) for certain students with degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) from U.S. institutions of higher education. Specifically, the proposal would allow such F-1 STEM students who have elected to pursue 12 months of OPT in the United States to extend the OPT period by 24 months (STEM OPT extension). This 24-month extension would effectively replace the 17-month STEM OPT extension currently available to certain STEM students. The rule also improves and increases oversight over STEM OPT extensions by, among other things, requiring the implementation of formal mentoring and training plans by employers, adding wage and other protections for STEM OPT students and U.S. workers, and allowing extensions only to students with degrees from accredited
schools.

As with the current 17-month STEM OPT extension, the proposed rule would authorize STEM OPT extensions only for students employed by employers enrolled in U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS’) E-Verify employment eligibility verification program. The proposal also includes the “Cap-Gap” relief first introduced in 2008 for any F-1 student with a timely filed H-1B petition and request for change of status. This Cap-Gap relief allows such students to automatically extend the duration of F-1 status and any current employment authorization until October 1 of the fiscal year for which such H-1B visa is being requested.

In addition to improving the integrity and value of the STEM OPT program, this proposed rule also responds to a court decision that vacated a 2008 DHS regulation on procedural grounds. The proposed rule includes changes to the policies announced in the 2008 rule to further enhance the academic benefit provided by STEM OPT extensions and increase oversight, which will better ensure that students gain valuable practical

STEM experience that supplements knowledge gained through their academic studies, while preventing adverse effects to U.S. workers. By earning a functional understanding of how to apply their academic knowledge in a work setting, students will be better positioned to begin careers in their fields of study. These on-the-job educational experiences would be obtained only with those employers that commit to developing students’ knowledge and skills through practical application. The proposed changes would also help ensure that the nation’s colleges and universities remain globally competitive in attracting international STEM students to study and lawfully remain in the United States

OPT EXTENSION UPDATE: Requests for STEM Extension that are approved by USCIS prior to Feb 12 2016 will eligible for the entire 17 months validity period.

Adobe Experience Manager training - Enrollment for new batch is starting on 09/29/15 at 7:00 PM EST. Interested OPT/ CPT candidates please contact [email protected] or 440-399-3336 for details.