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 […]