USCIS Requests for Evidence (RFEs) for H-1B petitions have increased by more than 45% in the last year. In the first 8 months of 2017, USCIS issued more than 85,000 RFEs for H-1B petitions, compared to just 59,000 during the whole of 2016. The sudden spike in RFEs is largely attributed to President Trump’s Buy American and Hire American Executive Order signed earlier this year with the intent to protect the interests of US workers. EIG is closely monitoring incoming responses from USCIS for pending petitions and will alert clients immediately if further action is required.