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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is proposing to amend its regulations governing H-1B specialty occupation workers and F-1 students who are the beneficiaries of timely filed H-1B cap-subject petitions. Specifically, DHS proposes to revise the regulations relating to "specialty occupation” and the "employer-employee relationship"; provide flexibility for start-up entrepreneurs; implement new requirements and guidelines for H-1B site visits; provide flexibility on the employment start date listed on the petition (in limited circumstances); address "cap-gap" issues; bolster the H-1B registration process to reduce the possibility of misuse and fraud in the H-1B registration system; modernize cap exemptions; clarify the requirement that an amended or new petition be filed where there are material changes; and codify USCIS’ deference policy and requirement of maintenance of status for all employment-based nonimmigrant classifications that use Form I-129, among other provisions.

Statement of Need:

These proposed changes are needed to modernize and streamline the requirements of the H-1B program, improve program efficiency and integrity measures, and provide greater benefits and flexibilities for petitioners and beneficiaries.

Summary of the Legal Basis:

The Secretary of Homeland Security’s authority for these proposed regulatory amendments is found in various sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA or the Act), 8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq., and the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA), Pub. L. 107-296, 116 Stat. 2135, 6 U.S.C. 101 et seq. General authority for issuing this rule is found in section 103(a) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1103(a), which authorizes the Secretary to administer and enforce the immigration and nationality laws, as well as section 112 of the HSA, 6 U.S.C. 112, which vests all of the functions of DHS in the Secretary and authorizes the Secretary to issue regulations. Section 101(a)(15) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15) establishes classifications for noncitizens who are coming temporarily to the United States as nonimmigrants. Section 214(a)(1) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1184(a)(1), authorizes the Secretary to prescribe, by regulation, the terms and conditions of the admission of nonimmigrants. Section 214(c) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1184(c) authorizes the Secretary to prescribe how an importing employer may petition for nonimmigrant workers, the information that an importing employer must provide in the petition; and certain fees that are required for certain nonimmigrant petitions. Section 214(g) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1184(g), prescribes the H-1B numerical limitations, various exceptions to those limitations, and the period of authorized admission for H-1B nonimmigrants. Section 214(i) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1184(i), sets forth the definition and requirements of a specialty occupation. Section 248 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1258, authorizes a noncitizen to change from any nonimmigrant classification (subject to certain exceptions) to any other nonimmigrant classification if the noncitizen was lawfully admitted to the United States as a nonimmigrant and is continuing to maintain that status and is not otherwise subject to the 3- or 10-year bar applicable to certain noncitizens who were unlawfully present in the United States. Section 274A of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1324a, recognizes the Secretary’s authority to extend employment authorization to noncitizens in the United States. Finally, section 287(b) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1357(b), authorizes the taking and consideration of evidence concerning any matter that is material or relevant to the enforcement of the INA.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits:

DHS is currently considering the specific impacts of the proposed provisions.