Headlines: State Dept. Updates Visa Services Guidance, Policy on National Interest Exceptions for Regional COVID Proclamations – The Department of State recently released several updates. Attorneys, AILA Sue State Dept. for Unlawfully Refusing to Issue Visas Due to Certain Travel Bans – Attorneys Jeff Joseph of Joseph and Hall PC, Charles Kuck of Kuck Baxter […]

Headlines: Class Action Filed Against DHS for L-2 and H-4 Processing Delays – The American Immigration Lawyers Association and Wasden Banias, LLP, filed a class action lawsuit challenging processing delays on extensions of status and employment authorization documents for H-4 and L-2 nonimmigrant spouses. USCIS Extends Flexibilities for Responding to Agency Requests – USCIS will […]

Headlines: DHS Rescinds Public Charge Rule, Withdraws Appeals of Injunctions Blocking It – DHS rescinded regulations resulting from a final rule that was vacated by a federal district court. Under the now-rescinded rule, the government could deny applications for green cards, temporary nonimmigrant status, and naturalization if the government found they relied on—or were at […]

Headlines: President Biden Revokes Trump-Era Ban on Entry of Many Immigrants; State Dept. Issues Instructions on Exceptions to Nonimmigrant Ban – President Biden revoked former President Trump’s proclamation issued in April 2020 that banned many immigrants from entering the United States. The Department of State issued instructions on exceptions to the nonimmigrant ban. March Visa […]

Headlines: State Dept. Exempts Certain Travelers From Restrictions – DOS announced exemptions for certain travelers from COVID-19-related restrictions based on the national interest. President Biden Reinstates DED for Liberians – President Biden has directed the Secretary of Homeland Security to reinstate Deferred Enforced Departure for eligible Liberians and to provide for continued work authorization through […]

Headlines: USCIS To Abide by Previous Filing Fee Amounts Under Preliminary Injunction – USCIS will continue to abide by previous filing fee amounts because of two preliminary injunctions. Judge May Extend Hold on Deportation Moratorium Until February 23 – The Department of Justice may appeal, but it was unclear as of press time whether it […]

Headlines: Biden Administration Poised to Introduce Immigration-Related Executive Orders; Democrats Prepare Legislation – The Biden administration has plans to introduce executive orders and push for immigration legislation “immediately” after taking office. Labor, Homeland Security Dept. Issue Final Rules Changing Prevailing Wage Methodology, Employer-Employee Relationship – The agencies’ final rules make substantive changes to foreign worker […]

Headlines: Trump Extends Through March Bans on Foreign Workers Previously Set to Expire December 31, 2020; Extends Memo on Visa Sanctions – President Trump signed a proclamation extending earlier proclamations suspending the entry of certain immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants through March 31, 2021. He also extended a separate memo on visa sanctions for certain […]

Headlines: Ninth Circuit Rejects USCIS Reasoning on H-1B Computer Programmer as ‘Specialty Occupation’ – The Ninth Circuit ruled that USCIS’s denial of a visa for a computer programmer on the basis that it was not a “specialty occupation” was arbitrary and capricious, and remanded the case. DOJ Finalizes Rule Hiking Fees for EOIR Applications, Appeals, […]

Headlines: U.S. District Court Orders DHS to Reopen DACA for New Applications, Vacates Wolf Memo – a U.S. district court vacated a memorandum issued by Chad Wolf, which made certain changes to the DACA program, and ordered DHS to reopen the program to new applications. U.S. District Court Vacates H-1B Interim Final Rules – A […]