According to a number of sources, it appears that the USCIS has
increased the amounts of requests for evidence it has submitted to
petitioners applying for new H-1B visas and permanent residency cards.
The process of obtaining H-1B visas and green cards has been slowed
down by this added set of requests for additional information. USCIS
has asked some petitioners for corporate payroll records, zoning maps
and other proofs of evidence for new H-1B and green card requests.
In response to complaints regarding this increase in documentation
requests, USCIS commented that it has indeed increased its scrutiny of
new H-1B visa and green card applications. This is due, USCIS states,
to new restrictions set in place by the Troubled Asset Relief Program
(TARP), which includes a number of H-1B restrictions on companies that
have received TARP bailout funds.
USCIS comments that it is requesting additional evidence in cases where
it is possible that beneficiaries will not be working on-site for the
petitioner. This, USCIS says, will ensure that a job offer exists and
that the worksite in question is covered by the Labor Condition
Application on file.
