USCIS Updates Visitor Policy for Vaccinated Individuals
On May 27, 2021, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a revised visitor policy that relaxes some COVID-19 precautions. Based on updated guidance from the CDC, fully vaccinated individuals are not...
Biden’s Nominee to Head USCIS Pledges to Reduce Backlog
President Joe Biden’s nominee for Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Ur Mendoza Jaddou, pledged to resolve increased processing times and put a dent in backlogged immigration...
DHS, ICE Extend COVID-19 Accommodations for I-9 Compliance
When the COVID-19 pandemic was recognized as a national emergency in March 2020, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would permit employers to defer the physical inspection of identity and employment...
Nonessential Travel Restrictions Extended at Canada–United States–Mexico Borders
In March 2020, U.S. officials reached mutual agreements with the governments of Mexico and Canada that nonessential travel across the land borders would lead to increased risk of COVID-19 transmission. The three countries agreed to limit travel through land...
Haiti Designated for Temporary Protected Status in the U.S.
On May 22, 2021, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security announced a new designation of the country of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The TPS program provides temporary protections in the U.S. to eligible nationals of...
U.S. Increases H-2B Visas Available to Non-Agricultural Employers
On May 21, 2021, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Labor (DOL) announced a joint temporary final rule that will make 22,000 additional H-2B visas available during fiscal year (FY) 2021. ...
U.S. Department of Labor Finalizes 18-Month Delay of Rule Increasing Prevailing Wage Levels
The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published a notice in the Federal Register on May 13, 2021, confirming an 18-month delay of the effective date of the Final Rule on computation of prevailing wage levels that was...
DHS Continues International Entrepreneur Parole Program
In 2016, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) engaged in notice-and-comment rulemaking to develop regulations for an International Entrepreneur (IE) program. The goal was to provide an avenue for start-up founders to work...
USCIS Allows Telephonic Rescheduling of Biometric Services Appointments
On May 11, 2021, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that applicants, petitioners, and beneficiaries may call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) to request rescheduling of an...
DHS Withdraws Proposal to Expand Biometrics Requirements
In September 2020, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding the collection and use of biometrics by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Customs and Border...