Immigration Update – February 14, 2022
Headlines: United States Once Again ‘Welcomes’ Immigrants: USCIS Announces New Mission Statement – The new mission statement, with its emphasis on welcoming and respect, reflects USCIS’s restoring of the agency’s focus on services. USCIS Updates Guidance, Changes Maximum Validity Period for EADs for Certain Applicants – USCIS said that increasing the maximum validity period for […]
Global Immigration Update – February 07, 2022
Feature Article ATTRACTING HIGHLY SKILLED TALENT: AN OVERVIEW – This article provides an overview of programs to attract highly skilled talent in Italy and Turkey. Country Updates Italy – Applications for startup visas can be filed January 27 to March 17, 2022. Also, Italy announced the number of foreign workers allowed in Italy for […]
Immigration Update – February 07, 2022
Headlines: International Entrepreneur Update: National Advocacy Groups Recommend Streamlining Parole Program; House Passes Bill To Create New Visa – There have been several recent developments of interest to international entrepreneurs. USCIS Releases Form I-9 Guidance for H-2B Workers Seeking to Change Employers – The guidance is related to a joint temporary final rule issued January […]
Immigration Update – January 31, 2022
Headlines: FY 2023 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Opens March 1 – The initial registration period for the fiscal year 2023 H-1B cap will open at noon ET on March 1, 2022, and run through noon ET on March 18, 2022. DHS, DOL Announce Availability of Additional H-2B Visas for First Half of Fiscal Year […]
Immigration Update – January 25, 2022
Headlines: Biden Administration Implements New Actions to Increase Opportunities for STEM Students, Professionals, Others – Highlights of the new actions announced by the Departments of Homeland Security and State are summarized. USCIS Notes ‘Exceptionally High Number’ of Employment-Based Green Cards Available This Fiscal Year – USCIS said many more visas are available in the first […]
Immigration Update – January 18, 2022
Headlines: USCIS Clarifies Guidance on O-1 Nonimmigrants in Arts vs. Motion Pictures and Television – USCIS clarified guidance on how the agency determines whether an O-1B beneficiary will be evaluated as a person of extraordinary ability in the arts or as a person of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry when a […]
Immigration Update – January 10, 2022
Headlines: DHS OIG Finds That Manual Processing Slowed USCIS Benefits Delivery During Pandemic – In a new report, the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General found that continued reliance on manual processing slowed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ benefits delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. USCIS concurred with OIG’s recommendations. OFLC Completes Random Assignments […]
Immigration Update – January 03, 2022
Headlines: USCIS Extends Flexibilities for Responding to Certain Agency Requests – The flexibilities apply if the issuance date listed on the request, notice, or decision is between March 1, 2020, and March 26, 2022, inclusive. USCIS said it will consider a response to such requests and notices received within 60 calendar days after the response […]
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 […]
