remanded
H-1B
remanded H-1B Case: Technology
Decision Summary
The appeal was remanded following a recent court decision and subsequent rescission of USCIS policy guidance concerning H-1B petitions for workers at third-party worksites. The AAO determined it was appropriate for the Director to reconsider the case, which was originally denied for failing to establish a specialty occupation, under the new policy guidance.
Criteria Discussed
Specialty Occupation Third-Party Worksite
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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services In Re: 12590867 Appeal of Vermont Service Center Decision Form 1-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker (H-lB) Non-Precedent Decision of the Administrative Appeals Office Date : OCT . 2, 2020 The Petitioner , a technology and service provider, seeks to temporarily employ the Beneficiary under the H-lB nonimmigrant classification for specialty occupations . See Immigration and Nationality Act (the Act) section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b), 8 U.S.C. ยง 1101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b). The H-lB program allows a U.S . employer to temporarily employ a qualified foreign worker in a position that requires both: (a) the theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge; and (b) the attainment of a bachelor 's or higher degree in the specific specialty ( or its equivalent) as a minimum prerequisite for entry into the position. The Director of the Vermont Service Center denied the Form 1-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, concluding that the Petitioner did not establish that the Beneficiary would perform services in a specialty occupation for the requested period of intended employment. While this appeal was pending, the U.S . District Court for the District of Columbia issued a decision in Itserve Alliance , Inc. v. Cissna, --- F.Supp.3d ---, 2020 WL 1150186 (D.D.C. 2020). Subsequently, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) rescinded previously issued policy guidance relating to H-lB petitions filed for workers who will be employed at one or more third-party worksites . 1 The matter is now before us on appeal. The Petitioner bears the burden of proof to demonstrate eligibility by a preponderance of the evidence . 2 We review the questions in this matter de novo.3 While we conduct de nova review on appeal, we conclude that a remand is warranted in this case in part based on the new USCIS policy guidance . Because this case is affected by the new policy guidance, we find it appropriate to remand the matter for the Director to consider the question anew and to adjudicate in the first instance any additional issues as may be necessary and appropriate . Accordingly, the following order shall be issued . 1 USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0114 , Rescission of Policy Memoranda at 2 (June I 7, 2020), http://www.uscis.gov/legal-resources/policy-memoranda . 2 Section 291 of the Act; Matter ofCha wathe, 25 I&N Dec. 369, 375 (AAO 2010). 3 See Matter of Christo 's Inc., 26 I&N Dec. 537, 537 n.2 (AAO 2015). ORDER: The decision of the Director is withdrawn. The matter is remanded for farther proceedings consistent with the foregoing analysis and entry of a new decision. 2
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