Did you know that April 1st is the earliest that employers are permitted to file an H1B petition for the following fiscal year, which starts October 1st.  An employer cannot file an H1B petition earlier than six months before the date of the actual start of the individual’s (beneficiary) services.

U.S. mainland, as well as Virgin Islands businesses have used the H1B program to employ foreign workers in specialized positions that require technical expertise in fields like science, engineering, and computer programming.  This program provides foreign nationals an opportunity to be employed on a temporary basis in the United States and provide needed services for an employer in a pre-determined professional position.  These jobs are required to be in a specialty occupation and require the minimum education of a bachelor’s degree to participate.Continue Reading April is Right Around the Corner and that Means Getting H1B’s Ready to File

The Obama administration has intensified a crackdown on employers of illegal immigrants, notifying over 1,000 companies recently that the government plans to inspect their hiring records. Employers of all sizes were notified they must hand over I-9 employment-eligibility forms, which contain Social Security numbers, dates of birth and statements by employees of their citizenship status.Continue Reading Should You Be Concerned About I-9 Audits?

Federal authorities in New Jersey recently announced the disruption of an international smuggling ring that prosecutors said brought hundreds of illegal immigrants to the United States, including many young women who worked as dancers at strip clubs to repay their passage.

U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said four people from New Jersey, one from Massachusetts, and one from Texas are each charged with one count of conspiracy to bring illegal immigrants into the United States through the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.Continue Reading Feds Bust Human Traffickers With VI Connections

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced today that it has reached an agreement  that establishes a long-lasting framework for the technical coordination of the Internet’s domain name and addressing system (DNS). 

ICANN and NTIA executed a new Affirmation of Commitments that completes the transition of the technical management of the DNS to a multi-stakeholder, private-sector-led model. The Affirmation ensures accountability and transparency in ICANN’s decision-making with the goal of protecting the interests of global Internet users.  The Affirmation also establishes mechanisms to address the security, stability, and resiliency of the Internet DNS as well as promote competition, consumer trust, and consumer choice. Continue Reading ICANN and U.S. Department of Commerce Sign New “Affirmation of Commitments”

American Counsel Association President Tom Bolt welcomed the delegates to the European Circuit Annual Conference in Rome at opening reception at the Hotel de la Ville.  Bolt with Gerard McDermott, Q.C., President of the European Circuit of England and Wales, and Andrew Colvin of Studio Coggiatti, the co-sponsor of the opening reception.

In opening remarks, ACA President Bolt noted that each of the delegates were a part of history in the first meeting of the American Counsel Association, the oldest association of independent law firms, and the European Circuit.  "I pledged to build bridges throughout the legal community upon entering office as President of the ACA, and building bridges is what we are doing," Bolt said.Continue Reading ACA President Welcomes European Circuit

As I entered Paris Saturday morning, I could hear the bells from Notré Dame.  I had returned to the "City of Lights" – I remembered the words issued by U.S. Army Colonel C. E. Stanton, signaling  the arrival of leading elements of the United States forces, newly engaged in the deadly struggle of the Allies against the Central Powers in the First World , "Lafayette, we are here!"  For centuries, the French have been close-knit allies of the United Statesand only recently, has that alliance been questioned by some of my countrymen as to the commitment to the Franco-American alliance.  Some Americans even abandoned one favorite American food – french fries, in favor of freedom fries.  Others went beyond merely questioning the Franco-American alliance.  Television personality Homer Simpson taunted our allies calling them "cheese-eating surrender monkeys".  Such is not the case.
Continue Reading “Lafayette, We are Here!”

Tom Bolt, Managing Attorney of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands law firm of Tom Bolt & Associates, P.C. addressed the Association of European Attorneys (AEA) at their Annual Meeting in Paris on Friday.  Citing the need to adhere to rule of law, Bolt said that "it is incumbent upon attorneys throughout the world to speak out against transgessions to law.  If the lawyers of the world do not speak out then who? "  Bolt said.

Almost 200 persons were in attendance at the 2nd Annual  Meeting of AEA.  Currently AEA has representatives from over 180 countries throughout the world.  Bolt, who is the President of the American Counsel Association, the world’s oldest association of independent law firms, invited the participants at the AEA Annual Meeting to join the ACA.Continue Reading Bolt Addresses World Legal Forum