News Updates

WEEKLY IMMIGRATION UPDATE 5.13.2021

20:45 13 May in News Updates by Larrabee

WEEKLY IMMIGRATION UPDATE - May 13, 2021 HEADLINES DHS Suspends Biometrics Collection for H-4 and L-2 Spouses Effective May 17 -- In a proposed class action filing claiming the agency's delays in issuing dependent EADs are illegal, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said it will suspend biometric screening requirements for H-4 and L-2 derivative visa holders while it reviews its policy. The suspension will take effect on May 17 and will be in effect for two years. USCIS Updates Process to Reschedule Biometrics Services Appointments – Applicants must now call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 800-375-5283 to reschedule their...

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WEEKLY IMMIGRATION UPDATE 5.03.2021

22:27 03 May in News Updates by Larrabee

WEEKLY IMMIGRATION UPDATE - May 3, 2021 HEADLINES President Biden Suspends Entry of Noncitizens/Non-LPRs Traveling From India; U.S. Mission in India Announces Limits on Visa Services – President Biden has issued a proclamation suspending the entry of non-U.S. citizens who were physically present within India during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States, with some exceptions. The proclamation takes effect May 4, 2021. State Dept. Announces Tiered Immigrant Visa Prioritization – On April 30, 2021, the Department of State announced a tiered prioritization approach to "triage" immigrant visa applications in light of reduced...

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President Biden issued a proclamation suspending the entry of certain nonimmigrants into the U.S. who were physically present in India during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry.

14:29 03 May in News Updates by Larrabee

President Biden issued a proclamation suspending the entry of certain nonimmigrants into the U.S. who were physically present in India during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry. This proclamation takes effect on May 4, 2021 at 12:01 AM ET. Certain classes of individuals are exempted from the ban, as listed in the proclamation. <-- Back to News Updates...

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LAC Client Alert: Operations of U.S. Consulates in India – 4.27.2021 update

18:55 29 April in News Updates by Larrabee

Today the Department of State announced further restrictions: Effective immediately, all in-person and interview-waiver appointments are cancelled at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and U.S. Consulates General in Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata until May 15, 2021. Emergency services for U.S. citizens will continue and these posts will make every effort to honor emergency visa appointments. Effective immediately, the U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai is only providing emergency services to U.S. citizens and emergency visa services. Drop-box appointments will continue to be honored. Due to limited appointment availability, we are currently unable to reschedule any cancelled appointments.   We are also unable to speculate on or...

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WEEKLY IMMIGRATION UPDATE 4.27.2021

15:10 27 April in News Updates by Larrabee

WEEKLY IMMIGRATION UPDATE - April 27, 2021 HEADLINES SSA Ends “No-Match” Letters – The Social Security Administration has ended the practice of sending employers “no-match” letters, called Employer Correction Request Notices. State Dept. Updates Travel Advisories Due to Ongoing Pandemic – The Department is warning travelers against going to “approximately 80% of countries worldwide.” State Dept. Releases FAQ on Immigrant Visa Backlog and Consular Processing – The Department said it is committed to decreasing the backlog by "prioritizing certain visas, creating efficiencies in the visa process, and utilizing all available resources until our task is accomplished." CBP Extends Temporary Travel Restrictions...

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LAC Client Alert: Operations of U.S. Consulates in India

19:19 26 April in News Updates by Larrabee

Our thoughts go out to our clients, colleagues and their families in India as the country struggles with rising COVID-19 rates. Please be advised that the State Department has updated information regarding U.S. consular post operations in India as a result of the public health situation.  Please see https://in.usembassy.gov/visas/. LAC recommends that individuals who must obtain a visa stamp to return to the U.S. postpone their travel to India if possible.  At this time India is not among the countries for which a ban currently applies to non-immigrants returning to the U.S.  However, this could change with little notice. Effective April 22, 2021, Canada has banned...

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WEEKLY IMMIGRATION UPDATE 4.12.2021

15:46 19 April in News Updates by Larrabee

WEEKLY IMMIGRATION UPDATE - April 12, 2021 HEADLINES 1. F-1 Students Seeking Optional Practical Training Can Now File Form I-765 Online – On April 12, 2021 USCIS announced that F-1 students seeking optional practical training (OPT) can now file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, online if they are filing for (c)(3)(A) – Pre-Completion OPT; (c)(3)(B) - Post-Completion OPT; (c)(3)(C) – 24-Month Extension of STEM OPT 2. CBP Reminds Carriers of LPR Boarding Policy – U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued guidance on March 5, 2021, for its Carrier Liaison Program on the current policy for boarding of lawful permanent residents (LPRs). 3. State Dept....

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Status of Travel Bans and Consular Operations

15:57 08 April in News Updates by Larrabee

Below are the latest updates on U.S. consular operations and entry requirements to the U.S. Please note that it is imperative to check the requirements of any country you seek to visit, as well as any country you may transit through, as the impact of the global pandemic may change admission requirements for citizens and foreign nationals alike. We are all hopeful that increasing vaccination rollouts will mean consular appointments will be more readily available and the remaining bans will lift, but we’re not quite there yet. ___________________ State Dept. Updates National Interest Exceptions for Regional COVID Proclamations – April 8, 2021 ...

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WEEKLY IMMIGRATION UPDATE 4.08.2021

15:47 08 April in News Updates by Larrabee

WEEKLY IMMIGRATION UPDATE - April 8, 2021 HEADLINES 1.  USCIS Completes Initial FY 2022 H-1B Cap Season Selections; Petitions May Be Filed Through June 30, 2021 – USCIS notified all prospective petitioners with selected registrations that they are eligible to file H-1B cap-subject petitions for the named beneficiaries.  The petition filing window is April 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021. 2. DHS Extends I-9 Requirement Flexibility Until May 31, 2021 – DHS announced an extension until May 31, 2021, of the flexibility in complying with requirements related to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic precautions. 3. ICE Announces New SEVIS Process...

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