MARCH 17, 2000 -- The General Counsel of the INS informed the American Immigration Lawyer's Association today that the H-1B cap has been reached for this fiscal year. We are given to understand that a notice will be published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, March 21st announcing this fact, and detailing procedures for petitions in the 'pipeline'. According to the report none of the 20,000 'extra' H-1B visas supposedly granted last year were applied toward this year's cap. For additional information about the H-1B program or other nonimmigrant or immigrant work visa programs, please feel free to contact us at the Law Office of Albert M. Afonso..
This Federal Register site lists information about how the INS will handle H-1B cases which have been submitted after the cap was reached: