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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

  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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]