Acting Chief, Business and Foreign Workers Division, Office of Policy and Strategy

1615-AC13 201910 The Regulatory Plan and the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions 1615 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services USCIS 1600 Department of Homeland Security DHS Strengthening the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Classification Program

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will propose to revise the definition of specialty occupation to increase focus on obtaining the best and the brightest foreign nationals via the H-1B program, and revise the definition of employment and employer-employee relationship to better protect U.S. workers and wages. In addition, DHS will propose additional requirements designed to ensure employers pay appropriate wages to H-1B visa holders.

]]> Other Significant Previously Published in The Unified Agenda Proposed Rule Stage Undetermined Undetermined Other 8 CFR 214.2(h)(4) 8 U.S.C. 1184 Yes

The purpose of these changes is to ensure that H-1B visas are awarded only to individuals who will be working in a job which meets the statutory definition of specialty occupation. In addition, these changes are intended to ensure that the H-1B program supplements the U.S. workforce and strengthens U.S. worker protections.

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The Homeland Security Act of 2002, Public Law 107-296, section 102, 116 Stat. 2135 (Nov. 25, 2002), 6 U.S.C.112, and the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (INA), charge the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) with administration and enforcement of the immigration and nationality laws. See INA section 103, 8 U.S.C.1103. This rule will significantly enhance the ability of USCIS to effectively manage and monitor the H-1B program.

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DHS is still considering the cost and benefit impacts of the proposed provisions.

]]> ]]> NPRM 12/00/2019 Undetermined Undetermined Undetermined Undetermined No No Brian Hunt Acting Chief, Business and Foreign Workers Division, Office of Policy and Strategy 1615 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services USCIS 202 272-8377 202 272-1480 brian.j.hunt@uscis.dhs.gov 20 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 1200, Washington DC 20529-2200