Feature Article DOCUMENT PROCUREMENT AND THE LEGALIZATION PROCESS: AN OVERVIEW – This article provides an overview of policies and procedures on document procurement and legalization in several countries. Country Updates CANADA – Canada has issued several updates in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. ITALY – Italy has lifted some travel restrictions. A new law extends […]
Headlines: Dept. of Transportation Allows Chinese Air Carriers to Enter United States Twice Weekly ‘In Aggregate’ – DOT is permitting Chinese air carriers, in aggregate, the right to operate two weekly passenger flights to the United States, effective immediately. USCIS Resumes Non-Emergency, Face-to-Face Services to Public – Certain USCIS field offices and asylum offices have […]
Headlines: Trump Proclamation Limits Chinese Students and Researchers in the United States – President Trump has issued a proclamation limiting Chinese students wishing to study in the United States to undergraduates under certain conditions, and limiting Chinese researchers. USCIS To Begin Resuming Public Services June 4 – USCIS is preparing some domestic offices to reopen […]
Headlines: Federal Court Rules Against USCIS in H-1B ‘Itinerary’ Case – The court found no basis in the law or regulations “for requiring a petitioner to submit evidence of specific, qualifying work requirements and micro-location information for every single day of the visa period.” U.S. Embassy in India Advises on Repatriations of U.S. Citizens, Other […]
Headlines: ICE Extends E-Verify I-9 Requirements Flexibility for 30 Days – ICE has extended temporary guidance that had been set to expire on May 19, 2020, for an additional 30 days. The guidance relates to agency discretion to defer the physical presence requirements associated with the I-9 employment eligibility verification process. USCIS Introduces Temporary Policy […]
Headlines: USCIS Changes E-Verify and I-9 Central Email Addresses – As of April 24, USCIS is no longer able to receive and answer emails sent to e-verify@dhs.gov and i-9central@dhs.gov. New Bill Would Reallocate 40,000 Unused Green Cards for Medical Workers – A new bill introduced in the U.S. Senate would reallocate previously authorized, unused immigrant […]
Headlines: USCIS Issues Temporary COVID-19-Related Policy for I-9 List B Identity Docs Following DHS Deferral of I-9 Physical Presence Requirements – As of May 1, 2020, identity documents in List B with expiration dates on or after March 1, 2020, and not otherwise extended by the issuing authority “may be treated the same as if […]
Headlines: President Bans Immigrants From Entry Into the United States for 60 Days, With Exceptions – The proclamation states that the rationale is to address “excess labor supply” and displacement of U.S. workers. Additional measures regarding nonimmigrant visas are possible. USCIS Offices Reopening ‘On or After June 4’ – After a shutdown that began March […]
President Trump’s latest Proclamation is a brazen attempt by Trump to rewrite US immigration laws under the guise of protecting Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Proclamation places a ban on permanent immigration to the US with some exceptions. Although the EO purports to halt permanent immigration for 60 days it leaves open the possibility […]
Headlines: DHS Issues COVID-19-Related Temporary Final Rule Easing H-2A Agricultural Work Requirements – DHS, with the support of the Department of Agriculture, will publish a temporary final rule to temporarily amend the regulations regarding temporary and seasonal H-2A nonimmigrant agricultural workers, and their U.S. employers. DHS Issues Advice on Options for Nonimmigrants During COVID-19 Emergency […]
