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Causey & Ye Law

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Causey & Ye Law

At Causey & Ye Law, we're a trusted Midwest firm, offering expert legal services nationwide and in international outlets.

Specializing in immigration, business, tax, and criminal law, we're trusted for our honesty and professionalism.

11/09/2026

H-1B PETITIONS: A QUALIFIED EMPLOYEE DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY MEAN A QUALIFYING POSITION.

One of the most important distinctions in an H-1B petition is also one of the most frequently overlooked. The beneficiary's qualifications and the position's eligibility are two separate issues. An employee may hold a master's degree, have years of specialized experience, and possess exceptional professional credentials. But none of those qualifications, standing alone, establish that the offered position meets the H-1B specialty occupation requirements. USCIS must always evaluate the position itself.

Consider an employer offering a position with a professional title, competitive salary, and a job description listing responsibilities such as managing operations, coordinating projects, analyzing information, and supporting business objectives. These duties may be legitimate and important. But what establishes that performing them normally requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a directly related specific specialty, or its equivalent? That is where the supporting evidence becomes critical.

A well-prepared H-1B petition should clearly demonstrate:
✅ What specialized duties the employee will actually perform.
✅ Why those duties require specialized knowledge.
✅ How the qualifying degree field or fields directly relate to the position.
✅ How the employer's business operations support the need for the position.
✅ Why the evidence satisfies the applicable specialty occupation requirements.

Only stating that a bachelor's degree is required does not establish why the position requires one. The question to ask before filing: Does the evidence establish why this particular job requires specialized education, or does the petition simply tell USCIS that it does?

At Causey & Ye Law Group, we believe strong H-1B filings begin with demonstrating the position's eligibility, not just emphasizing the beneficiary's impressive credentials. We work with employers and professionals to navigate complex employment-based immigration requirements, identify potential filing weaknesses, and develop well-supported petitions.

11/05/2026

EB-2 National Interest Waiver: How Do You Prove You Are Well Positioned to Advance Your Proposed Endeavor?

One of the most important requirements for an EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) petition is demonstrating that you are well positioned to advance your proposed endeavor in the United States. But what does that actually mean?
Having an advanced degree, years of professional experience, or an impressive resume may not be enough. USCIS wants to understand how your qualifications, accomplishments, and future plans demonstrate your ability to move your proposed work forward.

Here are five ways to strengthen this part of your EB-2 NIW petition:
1. Highlight Relevant Experience: Demonstrate how your education, specialized knowledge, and professional experience directly relate to your proposed endeavor.
2. Show a Record of Success: Provide evidence of successful projects, research accomplishments, innovations, or other contributions that demonstrate your ability to achieve meaningful results.
3. Document Your Progress: Have you already started working toward your proposed endeavor? Evidence of completed projects, ongoing research, partnerships, or other tangible progress can help strengthen your case.
4. Demonstrate Outside Interest: Letters from experts, potential collaborators, customers, investors, or relevant organizations may help establish support for your proposed work, particularly when they provide specific and credible information.
5. Present a Clear Future Plan: Explain what you intend to accomplish in the United States, the steps you plan to take, and how your background prepares you to carry out those plans.

The Key Takeaway: A strong EB-2 NIW petition should connect three important elements: Your Past Achievements + Your Current Capabilities + Your Future Plans. USCIS does not require applicants to guarantee that their proposed endeavor will succeed. However, the evidence must demonstrate that they are well positioned to advance it.

At Causey & Ye Law Group, we understand that every applicant's professional background and proposed endeavor are unique. Our team works with researchers, scientists, entrepreneurs, engineers, and other professionals to develop individualized immigration strategies and present their qualifications through clear, well-organized, and evidence-supported petitions.

📩 Considering an EB-2 NIW petition? Contact Causey & Ye Law Group to discuss your qualifications and explore your employment-based immigration options.

11/03/2026

EB-1A Immigration Tip: Being Invited to Review Someone Else’s Work Is Not the Same as Reviewing It!

Did you know that serving as a peer reviewer, evaluating research, or judging the work of other professionals may help strengthen an EB-1A Extraordinary Ability petition? One of the EB-1A eligibility criteria recognizes individuals who have participated as judges of the work of others in their field or an allied field. However, USCIS looks for evidence that you actually performed the judging activities, not just that you were invited to participate.

Here are four ways to document your judging experience:
✅ 1. Keep Your Invitations: Save emails or official letters inviting you to review journal articles, evaluate conference submissions, or participate on judging panels.
✅ 2. Document Completed Reviews: Maintain confirmation emails, reviewer certificates, or other records demonstrating that you completed the assigned evaluations.
✅ 3. Explain Your Role: Provide details about the organization, journal, or conference and the specific judging responsibilities you performed.
✅ 4. Show the Connection to Your Field: Clearly explain how the work you evaluated relates to your area of professional expertise.

The Key Takeaway: A common mistake in EB-1A petitions is assuming that professional accomplishments speak for themselves. Strong evidence is important, but clearly explaining what that evidence proves is equally essential. Remember, satisfying the judging criterion alone does not establish EB-1A eligibility. USCIS also evaluates the overall evidence to determine whether the applicant meets the extraordinary ability standard.

At Causey & Ye Law Group, we understand the importance of building well-organized, evidence-supported employment-based immigration petitions.
Our team works with researchers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and professionals to evaluate their qualifications and develop personalized immigration strategies.

📩 Considering an EB-1A petition? Contact Causey & Ye Law Group to learn how we can help you prepare for the petition process.

10/28/2026

EMPLOYMENT-BASED IMMIGRATION INSIGHTS | WEEK 3-2

EB-2 National Interest Waiver: 3 Common Mistakes That Could Weaken Your Petition

Are you considering applying for an EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW)?

One of the biggest misconceptions about the EB-2 NIW process is that having an advanced degree, impressive credentials, or years of professional experience automatically makes someone eligible. USCIS evaluates much more than your qualifications. It also examines your proposed work, your ability to advance that work, and why waiving the job offer and labor certification requirements would benefit the United States.

Here are three common mistakes applicants should avoid:
❌ Mistake #1: Assuming Your Profession Is Nationally Important
Working in an important field, such as healthcare, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, or engineering, does not automatically establish that your specific proposed endeavor has national importance.
✅ Our Tip: Clearly explain what you intend to accomplish and provide evidence demonstrating the potential broader impact of your work.
❌ Mistake #2: Relying Too Heavily on Your Resume
Degrees, certifications, and employment experience are valuable, but they may not be enough to demonstrate that you are well positioned to advance your proposed endeavor.
✅ Our Tip: Include evidence of past accomplishments, successful projects, professional recognition, relevant collaborations, and progress toward your future goals.
❌ Mistake #3: Failing to Explain Why a National Interest Waiver Is Justified
Even if your proposed endeavor has substantial merit and national importance, and you are well positioned to advance it, USCIS must still determine whether waiving the job offer and labor certification requirements would, on balance, benefit the United States.
✅ Our Tip: Present a clear, evidence-supported explanation of why granting the waiver would benefit the United States in your particular circumstances.

The Key Takeaway: A strong EB-2 NIW petition does more than highlight your professional qualifications. It tells a compelling, evidence-based story about what you plan to accomplish, why it matters, and why you are positioned to make it happen.

At Causey & Ye Law Group, we help researchers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and other professionals develop individualized immigration strategies and prepare well-organized, evidence-supported petitions.

📩 Thinking about applying for an EB-2 NIW? Contact Causey & Ye Law Group to discuss your qualifications and explore your immigration options.

Follow our Employment-Based Immigration Insights series for more practical immigration tips!

10/26/2026

EB-1A Immigration Tip: Are Strong Recommendation Letters Enough?

When preparing an EB-1A Extraordinary Ability petition, many applicants focus on obtaining impressive recommendation letters from professors, researchers, industry leaders, or other respected professionals. While these letters can be valuable, USCIS wants to understand not only who supports your petition, but also what evidence demonstrates the significance of your achievements.

Here are four ways to strengthen your EB-1A petition:

✅ 1. Go Beyond Praise. Recommendation letters should explain your specific contributions and why they are significant, not just describe you as talented or accomplished.
✅ 2. Include Independent Evidence. Support letters with documentation such as research citations, industry recognition, implementation of your work, or evidence that others have relied on your contributions.
✅ 3. Demonstrate Measurable Impact. Whenever possible, provide examples showing how your work has influenced research, advanced technology, improved professional practices, or contributed meaningfully to your field.
✅ 4. Connect the Evidence. Help USCIS understand how your recommendation letters and supporting documents work together to establish your eligibility.

The Key Takeaway: A strong EB-1A petition is not just about collecting impressive documents. It is about presenting a clear, well-supported explanation of your accomplishments and their significance.

At Causey & Ye Law Group, we help professionals, researchers, scientists, and entrepreneurs navigate complex employment-based immigration requirements through thoughtful case preparation and individualized filing strategies. Considering an EB-1A petition? Contact our team to discuss your qualifications and immigration options.

10/20/2026

The Causey & Ye Law team was thrilled to sponsor this year's Iowa International Center Passport to Prosperity Gala, honoring outstanding individuals in Iowa's international community! The event highlighted seven remarkable honorees who have made lasting contributions to Iowa through their talent, leadership, and achievements.

At Causey & Ye Law, we are proud to support and engage with diverse communities, celebrate the contributions of individuals from all backgrounds, and foster a more inclusive, welcoming, and connected Iowa.

10/19/2026

🎓 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: Are You Planning Your Future Career in the United States? Navigating U.S. immigration laws and employment opportunities after graduation can be overwhelming, but understanding your options early can make all the difference!

Causey & Ye Law Group invites international students to join us for an informative FREE Immigration Seminar: "From F-1 Student to U.S. Professional" at Iowa State University!

Whether you're currently studying on an F-1 visa, preparing for graduation, exploring employment opportunities, or considering a future employment-based green card, this event is designed to help you better understand your options and plan ahead.

📚 Topics We'll Cover:

✅ F-1 Student Status & Recent Immigration Policy Updates

✅ CPT & OPT: Understanding Employment Authorization

✅ H-1B Work Visas & Recent Developments

✅ EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW): Eligibility & How Students Can Start Preparing Now

✅ Live Q&A with Immigration Professionals

🎤 Meet Our Speakers:

Marta Nickols – Former USCIS Immigration Field Office Director, bringing 17 years of firsthand experience with U.S. immigration policies, procedures, and adjudications.

Attorney Yangyidi Ye – Experienced Immigration Attorney at Causey & Ye Law Group, providing legal guidance on immigration pathways and employment-based petitions.

📅 Thursday, October 29, 2026

🕦 11:30 AM Central Time

💻 Join Online via Zoom: Meeting ID: 828 1381 6673

Your immigration journey doesn't end at graduation. The earlier you understand your options, the better prepared you can be for your professional future in the United States. We encourage all international students, recent graduates, and university student organizations to attend, ask questions, and take advantage of this opportunity to learn directly from immigration professionals.

Help us spread the word! Tag an international student, share this event with your university network, or invite a friend who could benefit from this information.

We look forward to seeing you there!

10/19/2026

EB-1A Immigration Tip: Having Impressive Achievements Is Not Enough. You Must Show Why They Matter.

Are you a researcher, scientist, entrepreneur, or professional considering an EB-1A Extraordinary Ability petition? One common mistake applicants make is assuming that publications, awards, patents, or professional accomplishments automatically demonstrate eligibility for EB-1A classification. USCIS looks beyond the list of achievements to evaluate their significance and the recognition the applicant has received within their field.

Here are four important strategies to consider when preparing an EB-1A petition:
✅ Explain the Impact of Your Work. If you have published research, developed innovative technology, or made important professional contributions, explain how others have used, recognized, or benefited from your work.
✅ Provide Meaningful Supporting Evidence. Citations, adoption of research findings, implementation of innovations, and documented industry recognition may help demonstrate the significance of your accomplishments.
✅ Make Recommendation Letters Specific. Strong letters should do more than praise your qualifications. They should provide detailed examples of your contributions, their significance, and how your work compares within the field.
✅ Connect the Evidence to USCIS Requirements. Clearly explain which eligibility criteria your documentation supports and how your overall record demonstrates sustained national or international acclaim.

Important Reminder: Meeting at least three of the EB-1A evidentiary criteria does not automatically establish eligibility. USCIS also evaluates the totality of the evidence to determine whether the applicant has demonstrated the required level of extraordinary ability.

At Causey & Ye Law Group, we understand the importance of presenting complex professional achievements in a clear, organized, and persuasive manner. Follow our Employment-Based Immigration Insights series for more practical immigration tips!

📩 Considering an EB-1A petition? Our team can help evaluate your qualifications and develop an individualized filing strategy.

10/15/2026

IMMIGRATION UPDATE: Important Changes to Work Permit Renewals

A timely reminder for foreign nationals and U.S. employers: Filing an EAD renewal does not necessarily mean work authorization will be automatically extended. On October 14, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) finalized its rule ending automatic extensions of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for certain renewal applicants.

What You Need to Know:
✅ Automatic Extensions: For many EAD categories, renewal applications filed on or after October 30, 2025, no longer qualify for an automatic extension simply because they were filed on time.

✅ Existing Extensions: Qualifying automatic extensions established under the previous rules remain valid.

✅ Exceptions Still Apply: Certain extensions authorized by law or Federal Register notices, including some Temporary Protected Status (TPS) extensions, are not affected.

✅ Potential Employment Interruptions: Individuals whose EADs expire while renewals are pending may experience interruptions in their ability to work legally, depending on their immigration category and other available evidence of employment authorization.

Our Recommendation: Do not wait until your work permit is about to expire. Review your eligibility, monitor expiration dates, and plan your renewal strategy early.

At Causey & Ye Law Group, we understand how important maintaining lawful employment authorization is for individuals, families, and businesses. As immigration policies continue to evolve, our team is committed to keeping our communities informed and helping clients navigate these changes with confidence. Have questions about how this update may affect you or your employees? Contact Causey & Ye Law Group to discuss your immigration options.

10/12/2026

IMMIGRATION UPDATE: 3 Important USCIS Changes to Know This October

U.S. immigration policy continues to evolve, and several recent USCIS updates may affect individuals, families, employees, and employers. Here are three developments to watch in October 2026:

1. USCIS Is Changing How Certain Filing Deadlines Are Calculated
Beginning October 23, 2026, USCIS will apply updated guidance regarding deadlines that fall on weekends or federal holidays. For deadlines expressed as a specific number of days, qualifying paper filings may still be considered timely if received on the next business day. However, this flexibility generally will not apply to deadlines tied to substantive eligibility requirements, such as reaching a particular age. The takeaway: Do not assume a weekend or holiday automatically gives you extra time to file.

2. USCIS Updates Employment Authorization Guidance
On October 2, 2026, USCIS updated its Policy Manual regarding employment authorization. The technical update revises language concerning automatic extensions of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), adds the (c)(40) EAD category to its validity-period table, and makes additional changes to align the Policy Manual with recent laws and regulations. While USCIS describes this as a technical update rather than a new stand-alone policy, individuals relying on employment authorization should continue to carefully monitor their EAD category, expiration date, and renewal requirements.

3. New Guidance on Criminal-Related Grounds of Inadmissibility
USCIS also issued new guidance addressing inadmissibility involving:
• Controlled substance trafficking
• Significant trafficking in persons
• Money laundering
The guidance explains how USCIS officers evaluate these grounds, including the evidence that may be considered when determining whether an applicant is inadmissible. Importantly, certain inadmissibility determinations, particularly the controlled substance trafficking “reason to believe” ground, do not necessarily require a criminal conviction. This makes a careful review of arrests, allegations, criminal records, and other underlying evidence particularly important before filing for an immigration benefit.

What does this mean for immigrants and employers? Small changes in USCIS policy can have a major impact on filing strategy, employment authorization, and eligibility for immigration benefits. Staying informed and planning before filing has become increasingly important.

At Causey & Ye Law Group, we closely monitor USCIS policy developments and help our clients understand how changing immigration rules may affect their individual cases. Have questions about an upcoming immigration filing, employment authorization, or admissibility issue? Our experienced immigration team is here to help.

Address

2213 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA
50312

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	8am - 5:30pm
Thursday	8am - 5:30pm
Friday	8:30am - 5:30pm

Website

http://www.causeyyelawgroup.com/, https://www.youtube.com/@Causeyyelawgroup

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