remanded
H-1B
remanded H-1B Case: Technology
Decision Summary
The case was remanded for reconsideration following a change in policy guidance resulting from the U.S. District Court decision in Itserve Alliance, Inc. v. Cissna. The Director's initial decision, which denied the petition for failing to establish the availability of specialty occupation work, was withdrawn to allow for a new adjudication under the updated policy.
Criteria Discussed
Specialty Occupation
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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services InRe : 12844317 Appeal of Vermont Service Center Decision Form 1-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (H-1B) Non-Precedent Decision of the Administrative Appeals Office Date : FEB. 1, 2021 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. Β§ 1101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b). The H-1B 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 petition, concluding that the Petitioner did not establish availability of specialty occupation work for the Beneficiary. While this appeal was pending, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a decision in Itserve Alliance , Inc. v. Cissna, 443 F. Supp . 3d 14 (D.D.C . 2020) . Subsequently, U.S . Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) rescinded previously issued policy guidance and directed its officers to apply the existing statutory and regulatory requirements to assess eligibility for the classification. USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0114, Rescission of Policy Memoranda at 2 (June 17, 2020), http: //www.uscis .gov/legalΒ resources /po licy-memoranda. 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. ORDER: The decision of the Director is withdrawn. The matter is remanded for further proceedings consistent with the foregoing analysis and entry of a new decision .
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