An executive order further limiting entry for nonimmigrant workers in H-1B, H-2B, L-1 and J-1 status (and their dependents) will take effect on June 24, 2020, at 12:01 am and will remain in effect through December 31,...more
On June 18, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision delivered by Chief Justice John G. Roberts, ruled that the administration was barred from terminating the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)...more
Premium processing, the vehicle utilized by many U.S. petitioners filing for nonimmigrant and immigrant-based benefits, is being resumed by U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) with a phased-in approach commencing...more
On Sunday May 24, 2020, the White House issued a Presidential Proclamation (Proclamation) suspending the entry of travelers who have recently been to Brazil. This will become effective on May 26, 2020 at midnight. This travel...more
Commencing May 1, 2020, employers verifying identity and employment authorization for their employees must use the October 21, 2019 edition of Form I-9: Employment Eligibility Verification. All U.S. employers must properly...more
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced its intention to begin reopening its nationwide district offices on or after June 4th. District offices generally handle adjustment of status interviews for...more
On April 22, 2020, an Executive Order entitled "Proclamation Suspending Entry of Immigrants Who Present Risk to the U.S. Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the COVID-19 Outbreak," outlined a 60-day pause for...more
In our recent Immigration Alerts, we discussed United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) closures and updates regarding labor condition posting notices in the context of nonimmigrant visa applications in...more
U.S. Department of Labor changes regulations relating to H-1B, H-1B1 and E3 workers transferred to locations outside the intended metropolitan statistical area ("MSA").
•In an unprecedented move, The U.S. Department of...more
On March 18, the President ordered that by mutual consent, with the government of Canada, our country will close its northern border to non-essential traffic. The President confirmed that trade will not be affected. Details...more
On March 14, due to concerns related to COVID-19, President Trump added the United Kingdom and Ireland to the list of countries whose nationals are barred from entry to the United States...more
On the evening of March 11, the President announced that commencing at midnight on Friday, March 13, all travel from Europe will be suspended for thirty days.
Excluded from the travel ban is the United Kingdom. The travel...more
Last week, Acting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Chad F. Wolf announced that New York state residents will no longer be eligible to apply for or to renew their enrollment in Trusted Traveler programs,...more
The Public Charge Rule, denying permanent residence status to immigrants who may use public benefits, will be implemented by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on February 24.
The Supreme Court has now...more
U.S. employers are gearing up for H-1B cap season, which has traditionally commenced on April 1 each year. This year, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced an unprecedented procedure - an electronic...more
A seemingly benign application form known as the DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application form is completed online by all applicants seeking to work in temporary visa status in the United States. The form, available on the...more
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a final rule requiring employers to pay a $10.00 non-refundable fee for each H-1B cap registration submitted, once the electronic system is implemented. This final...more
For foreign nationals working in the United States on temporary work visas, it is best to plan well in advance for international travel.
Assure that your passport is valid.
Passports must be valid for at least six months...more
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments regarding the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) ability to lawfully terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy (DACA).
Since 2012, as a result...more
On Monday, November 11, Poland became the newest country admitted to the Visa Waiver Program, which was authorized by Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin K. McAleenan on November 6.
Inclusion in the program...more
New regulations proposed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are slated to take effect for the 2021 H-1B cap filing period, which starts on April 1, 2020.
Proposed in January 2019, the new regulations mandate that...more
The Public Charge Rule, which had been scheduled to be implemented on October 15, 2019, was halted by U.S. District Courts in New York, California and Washington state late last week.
The preliminary injunctions issued in...more
On Friday, October 4, President Trump issued an unexpected proclamation ordering consular officials to bar immigrants seeking to live in the United States unless they "will be covered by approved health insurance" or can...more
On October 2, this year's Diversity Lottery Registration Program (DV lottery) becomes available to applicants from eligible countries. You can enter the DV lottery here. Entries can only be submitted electronically. All...more
Recent figures disclosed by the U.S. State Department show that the number of F-1 and J-1 foreign student and exchange visitor visas issued annually fell by 42.5 percent between 2015 and 2018, prompting the American...more