The Department of Homeland Security published a final rule titled “Retention of EB-1, EB2- and EB-3 Immigrant Workers and Program Improvements Affecting High-Skilled Nonimmigrant Workers,” (81 FR 82398). The rule includes important new rules regarding AC21 provisions involving certain nonimmigrant workers who are the beneficiaries of approved immigrant visa petitions. It also changes certain rules relating to H1B portability. The final rules will take effect on January 17, 2017. We will upload a series of articles discussing the new rules in advance of their taking effect.

Ksena Karelina Freed From Russian Prison
Ksena Karelina, a dual U.S.-Russia citizen, was freed from Russian prison in a prisoner exchange after she had received a lengthy sentence for making a $52 donation to a charity conducting humanitarian work in Ukraine.