Immigration Update – December 27, 2021
Headlines: State Dept. Expands Waivers of In-Person Interviews for Certain Temporary Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants – The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, has authorized consular officers to waive the in-person interview requirement for certain temporary employment nonimmigrant visa applicants who have a petition approved USCIS. Restrictions on Travelers From Southern […]
Immigration Update – December 20, 2021
Headlines: Immigration Provisions of Social Spending Bill in Limbo as Senate Democrats Struggle With Parliamentarian Rejections, Uncertainties – Lawmakers struggled to consider their options, including revisions to the immigration provisions or simply moving ahead without parliamentarian approval. DHS Extends I-9 Flexibility to April 30, 2022 – DHS extended the flexibility policy in complying with certain […]
Immigration Update – December 13, 2021
Headlines: Labor Dept. Implements Court Order Vacating Prevailing Wage Final Rule – The vacated rule amended regulations governing the prevailing wages for employment opportunities that U.S. employers seek to fill with foreign workers on a permanent or temporary basis through certain employment-based visas or through H-1B, H-1B1, or E-3 nonimmigrant visas. USCIS Temporarily Waives 60-Day […]
Immigration Update – December 06, 2021
Headlines: Biden Administration Increases Travel Restrictions in Response to New ‘Omicron’ Coronavirus Variant – In a rapidly developing situation, following new travel bans imposed on several countries, the Biden administration announced additional measures, effective December 6, 2021, including a requirement that inbound international passengers take a COVID-19 viral test within a day of their departure, […]
Immigration Update – November 29, 2021
Headlines: Travel Bans Imposed Quickly in Response to New ‘Omicron’ Coronavirus Variant – In a rapidly developing situation, President Biden said that most travelers (excluding U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents) who have been in any of eight countries in southern Africa for the prior 14 days will be barred from entry into the United […]
Immigration Update – November 22, 2021
Headlines: Build Back Better Act, Passed in House, Includes Immigration Provisions; Senate’s Next – The House of Representatives passed the “Build Back Better” budget reconciliation bill. It includes $100 billion toward immigration measures, including provisions paving the way for employees and others waiting in backlogs, and raising some immigration-related fees. It also would provide for […]
Immigration Update – November 15, 2021
Headlines: Major Settlement Changes USCIS’ Work Authorization Policy for Certain H-4, E, and L Nonimmigrant Dependent Spouses – Following recent litigation, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that certain H-4, E, or L dependent spouses will qualify for an automatic work permit extension if certain conditions are met. DHS Announces Countries Eligible for H-2A and […]
Immigration Update – November 08, 2021
Headlines: House Budget Reconciliation Bill Retains High-Skilled Immigrant Provisions, Would Impose Fee Increases – The House of Representatives’ draft social spending bill contains several immigration measures, including provisions paving the way for high-skilled scientists and engineers, and raising immigration-related fees. CDC Issues Order for Negative Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test or Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19 for […]
Immigration Update – November 01, 2021
Headlines: President Biden Replaces Country-by-Country Pandemic-Related Air Travel Restrictions With Vaccine Requirement – Effective November 8, 2021, a new Presidential Proclamation that governs the entry into the United States by air of “noncitizen nonimmigrants” revokes previous country-by-country restrictions applied during the COVID-19 pandemic and replaces them with a vaccination requirement. Settlement Agreement Outlines ‘New, Overarching’ […]
Immigration Update – October 25, 2021
Headlines: DHS Continues Travel Restrictions at Land Border Ports of Entry With Mexico – DHS will continue to temporarily limit non-essential travel of individuals from Mexico into the United States at land ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border until January 21, 2022. DOJ, DOL Reach Settlements With Facebook Resolving Claims of Discrimination Against […]
Immigration Update – October 18, 2021
Headlines: DHS Announces Fully Vaccinated Travelers From Canada and Mexico Will Be Allowed to Enter United States at Land Borders and Ferry Crossings – The modifications will occur in two phases over the next few months. India and China EB-3 Dates Retrogress in November 2021 Visa Bulletin – The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for […]
Immigration Update – October 11, 2021
Headlines: State Dept. Announces Changes in Vaccination Requirements for Immigrants and Certain Nonimmigrants – All immigrant visa applicants, all K fiancé(e) visa applicants, and nonimmigrant visa applicants who are referred to panel physicians must receive a full COVID-19 vaccine series as part of their medical exam before being issued a visa. The vaccine must be […]
Immigration Update – October 04, 2021
Headlines: Continuing Resolution to Fund Government Until December 3 Includes Provisions to Aid Afghans at Risk – The continuing resolution to keep the federal government open until December 3, 2021, was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden. USCIS Releases Information for Afghans at Risk, Including Parolees Departing Military Installations and Others […]
Immigration Update – September 27, 2021
Headlines: Biden Admin Announces New Policy: Vaccines, Testing Required for International Travelers to United States – The Biden administration will ease pandemic travel restrictions to allow fully vaccinated travelers to enter the United States beginning in November 2021. USCIS Extends Flexibility for Responding to Agency Requests – The flexibility, extended in response to the ongoing […]
Immigration Update – September 20, 2021
Headlines: Senate Parliamentarian Rejects Inclusion of Immigration Language in $3.5 Trillion Bill – In a blow to Democrats, President Biden, and immigration advocates, the Senate parliamentarian ruled that immigration language cannot be included in the $3.5 trillion filibuster-proof budget reconciliation bill. District Court Vacates H-1B Lottery Wage-Based Final Rule – The rule would have prioritized […]
Immigration Update – September 13, 2021
Headlines: DHS Continues TPS Designations for El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, Sudan, Honduras, and Nepal – DHS announced the automatic extension of temporary protected status designations for El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, Sudan, Honduras, and Nepal. The automatic extension of TPS-related documentation includes EADs through December 31, 2022. USCIS Is Expediting Afghan Petitions, Observers Say – According […]
Immigration Update – September 07, 2021
Vol. 10, No. 8A ▪ August 1, 2014 Headlines: State Dept. Releases Guidance on Immigrant Visa Prioritization – DOS released guidance on how its embassies and consulates are prioritizing immigrant visa applications as they work to reduce the backlog resulting from travel restrictions and operational constraints caused by the global COVID pandemic. DHS Extends I-9 […]
Immigration Update – August 31, 2021
Headlines: COVID Vaccinations To Be Required for Many Green Card Applicants – Effective October 1, 2021, with few exceptions, those applying for permanent residence (green card) must be vaccinated against COVID-19, now classified as a “Class A inadmissible condition,” the CDC announced. Justice Dept. Settles Immigration-Related Discrimination Claims With Large Health Care Organization – DOJ […]
Immigration Update – August 23, 2021
Headlines: Cap Reached for Remaining H-2B Visas for Returning Workers for FY 2021 – USCIS has received enough petitions for returning workers to reach the additional 22,000 H-2B visas made available under the FY 2021 H-2B supplemental visa temporary final rule. USCIS Extends Flexibilities Through October for Certain OPT Applicants Filing Work Authorization Applications – […]
Immigration Update – August 17, 2021
Headlines: USCIS Expands Partnership With Social Security Administration – Applicants filing for lawful permanent resident status can now apply for a Social Security number or replacement card as part of the adjustment of status application process. Visa Bulletin for September 2021 Released – The bulletin notes, among other things, that the Worldwide employment-based preference limit […]