On 10/23/2017, USCIS issued a new memo announcing it will no longer give deference to prior I-129 approvals when adjudicating extension of stay I-129 petitions.  This latest policy memo illustrates USCIS’ intent to increase scrutiny of H1B and L-1 petitions.

This memo follows recent widespread issuance of Request For Evidence (RFE) notices for H-1B cases in which the wage offered does not meet level 2 prevailing wage (i.e., only meets level 1 prevailing wage out of 4 levels).