Headlines: Major Settlement Changes USCIS’ Work Authorization Policy for Certain H-4, E, and L Nonimmigrant Dependent Spouses β 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 […]
Headlines: House Budget Reconciliation Bill Retains High-Skilled Immigrant Provisions, Would Impose Fee Increases β 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: President Biden Replaces Country-by-Country Pandemic-Related Air Travel Restrictions With Vaccine Requirement β 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’ […]
Headlines: DHS Continues Travel Restrictions at Land Border Ports of Entry With Mexico β 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: DHS Announces Fully Vaccinated Travelers From Canada and Mexico Will Be Allowed to Enter United States at Land Borders and Ferry Crossings β The modifications will occur in two phases over the next few months. India and China EB-3 Dates Retrogress in November 2021 Visa Bulletin β The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for […]
Headlines: State Dept. Announces Changes in Vaccination Requirements for Immigrants and Certain Nonimmigrants β All immigrant visa applicants, all K fiancΓ©(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: Continuing Resolution to Fund Government Until December 3 Includes Provisions to Aid Afghans at Risk β 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 […]
Headlines: Biden Admin Announces New Policy: Vaccines, Testing Required for International Travelers to United States β 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 β The flexibility, extended in response to the ongoing […]
Headlines: Senate Parliamentarian Rejects Inclusion of Immigration Language in $3.5 Trillion Bill β 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 β The rule would have prioritized […]
Headlines: DHS Continues TPS Designations for El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, Sudan, Honduras, and Nepal β 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 β According […]
