1500 H-1Bs were claimed in the last week and just over 20,000 remain for the fiscal year. Based on a four week rolling average (1175), I am projecting the target will be exhausted in 17 weeks which will be February 23, 2011. Previously, I had been projecting March, but the overall usage of H-1Bs has been somewhat busier in the last month than in previous months. The masters cap usage this past week was 500 and the monthly average is 450. There are 3,800 H-1Bs left of 20,000 and I am projecting that cap will be exhausted in late December, a projection that has stayed the same for several months. 

Many of you don't know that I put out a regular newsletter on immigration law. It's less opinion-oriented than the blog, but a good way to keep up on many developments in the field. Here's the link for this week's issue. And here is the table of contents:

1. Openers

2. ABCs of Immigration Law: H-2A Temporary Agricultural Visas

3. Ask Visalaw.com

4. Border and Enforcement News

      -ICE says no opt-out for local jurisdictions

      -Immigration audits of employers increase

      -Deportation of criminals increases

      -Authorities use social networking sites to detect immigration fraud

      -California border inspector accused of taking bribes

      -Napolitano and border sector chief say border is secure

      -DHS set to discontinue SBInet virtual fence

5. News from the Courts

      -Arizona immigration law: Judge denies bid to halt lawsuit

      -C-SPAN will televise SB 1070 appeal live

      -U.S. citizen sues over wrongful deportation

      -Supreme Court takes Arizona E-Verify report

      -9th circuit strikes down Arizona voter law

6. News Bytes    

        -Despite economy, Americans don’t want farm work

        -Stephen Colbert testifies before immigration subcommittee

        -Media moguls urge Congress to reform immigration

        -Cuban exiles in Spain can come to the U.S.

        -Lou Dobbs responds to illegal hiring allegations

        -Nevada gubernatorial candidate accused of hiring undocumented worker

        -Hispanics have longest life expectancy

        -South Carolina town passes E-Verify legislation

        -Rep. Gutierrez opts not to join Chicago mayoral race

        -Study: Crime drops in CA as immigration increases

7. Washington Watch

        -GOP filibusters DREAM Act

        -Obama hopes GOP will ‘come to senses’ on DREAM Act after Nov.

        -Gutierrez confident DREAM Act still alive; will stump for Reid

        -DNC chair says Latino vote is critical

        -Angle takes heat for remarks to high school Latinos

        -GOP senators call for hearing on immigration dismissals   

8. Notes from the Visalaw.com Blogs

9. State Department Visa Bulletin: November 2010