According to the latest press release issued by the U.S. Citizenship and immigration Services, as of October 25, 2009, approximately 52,800 H-1B cap-subject petitions had been filed.

President Obama signed into law on October 28, 2009 the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill Conference Report that contained provisions granting self-petitioning rights to all widow(er)s of American citizens and their children;