News Updates

WEEKLY IMMIGRATION UPDATE 3.01.2021

21:54 01 March in News Updates by Larrabee

WEEKLY IMMIGRATION UPDATE - March 1, 2021 HEADLINES 1. President Biden Revokes Trump-Era Ban on Several Immigrant Visa Categories; State Department Issues Instructions on Nonimmigrant Ban - President Biden revoked former President Trump's proclamation 10014 issued in April 2020 that banned many immigrants from entering the United States. The subsequent ban on issuance of H-1B, L-1, H-2B and certain J-1 visas abroad remains in place until at least March 31, 2021. However, the State Department issued instructions on obtaining exceptions to the nonimmigrant visa ban. 2. 7-Month Advance in March Visa Bulletin for India and China EB-1 Preference Category - The Department of State's Visa Bulletin...

WEEKLY IMMIGRATION UPDATE 2.22.2021

22:50 22 February in News Updates by Larrabee

WEEKLY IMMIGRATION UPDATE - February 22, 2021 HEADLINES 1. "U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021" Unveiled by Biden Administration, Democrats - The Biden administration and Democratic sponsors in the Senate and House of Representatives have put forth a sweeping new immigration reform bill, the 353-page "U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021." 2. USCIS Reaches FY 2021 H-1B Cap - USCIS issued official confirmation that it has received a sufficient number of petitions needed to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption for fiscal year 2021. This officially closes the FY 2021 H-1B cap season, which was...

WEEKLY IMMIGRATION UPDATE 2.16.2021

16:31 16 February in News Updates by Larrabee

WEEKLY IMMIGRATION UPDATE - February 16, 2021 HEADLINES 1. State Dept. Exempts Certain Travelers From Restrictions - DOS announced exemptions for certain travelers from COVID-19-related restrictions based on the national interest. 2. FY 2021 H-1B Cap-Subject Non-selection Notices Issued - USCIS appears to have finished selecting H-1B cap-subject lottery registrations for fiscal year 2021 (from last year's lottery of March 2020). 3. FY2022 H-1B Cap-Subject electronic registration process - USCIS provides additional information. 4. USCIS To Dispose of Old SAVE Records - SAVE users have until May 10, 2021 to download case information if they wish to retain information about SAVE cases that are more than 10 years...

WEEKLY IMMIGRATION UPDATE 2.08.2021

19:04 10 February in News Updates by Larrabee

WEEKLY IMMIGRATION UPDATE - February 8, 2021 HEADLINES 1. USCIS Delays H-1B Wage-Based Selection Process for Cap-Subject Petitions - The wage-based selection process is delayed to December 31, 2021, meaning that it will not be in effect for the upcoming H-1B cap filing season this March. 2. FY 2022 H-1B Visa Registration Period Starts March 9 - The initial registration period for FY 2022 H-1B cap-subject petitions opens at noon ET on March 9, 2021, and runs through noon ET on March 25, 2021. 3. DOL Proposes To Delay Effective Date of H-1B/PERM Wage Rule Until May - The proposed delay "will allow agency officials...

WEEKLY IMMIGRATION UPDATE 2.01.2021

18:39 10 February in News Updates by Larrabee

WEEKLY IMMIGRATION UPDATE - February 1, 2021 HEADLINES 1. ICE Extends I-9 Compliance Flexibility - ICE announced an extension of flexibilities in rules related to employment eligibility verification compliance due to continued precautions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The policy is extended until March 31, 2021. 2. President Biden Signs Proclamation Continuing Suspension of Entry for Certain Travelers, Adding South Africa; DOS Provides Related Info - President Biden signed a proclamation continuing the suspension of entry of certain travelers from the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Brazil, China, and Iran, and expanding restrictions to include travelers from South Africa. 3. ...

FY 2022 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Opens on March 9

18:06 08 February in News Updates by Larrabee

USCIS today announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year (FY) 2022 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 9 and run through noon Eastern on March 25. All registrations submitted during the registration period will be considered. Each year, USCIS makes available 58,200 H-1B's under the regular cap (for those who possess a Bachelor's degree or equivalent) and 20,000 under the advanced degree exemption (for those who have earned a U.S. Master's or higher degree). If USCIS receives enough registrations to meet the caps by March 25, it will randomly select registrations and send selection...

DHS Delays Effective Date of Wage-Based H-1B Selection Final Rule

23:34 04 February in News Updates by Larrabee

USCIS has issued the following press release: On Jan. 7, USCIS announced the H-1B Selection final rule, which amended the regulations governing the process by which USCIS selects H-1B registrations for the filing of H-1B cap-subject petitions. To give USCIS more time to develop, test, and implement the modifications to the H-1B registration system and selection process, DHS is delaying the effective date of this final rule from March 9, 2021, to Dec. 31, 2021. The delay will also provide more time for USCIS to train staff and perform public outreach as well as give stakeholders time to adjust to the new...

WEEKLY IMMIGRATION UPDATE 1.25.2021

23:16 25 January in News Updates by Larrabee

WEEKLY IMMIGRATION UPDATE - January 25, 2021 HEADLINES President Biden Sets in Motion a Flurry of Immigration Actions in First Days - Newly inaugurated President Joseph R. Biden launched a sweeping array of immigration-related executive orders, regulatory actions, and legislative proposals. Rescission of Presidential Proclamations 9645 and 9983; DOS Announces Reconsideration of Immigrant Visa Denials Based on these Travel Bans- On January 20, 2021, President Biden signed aPresidential Proclamation titled "Ending Discriminatory Bans on Entry to the United States." The proclamation ends the travel restrictions under Presidential Proclamations 9645 and 9983. These travel bans were enacted in 2017 and restricted travel and immigration...

WEEKLY IMMIGRATION UPDATE 1.19.2021

23:26 19 January in News Updates by Larrabee

WEEKLY IMMIGRATION UPDATE - January 19, 2021 HEADLINES U.S. To Require Negative COVID-19 Tests From International Arrivals - Effective January 26, 2021, all passengers arriving in the United States by air from any foreign country, with a few exceptions, must present either a negative pre-departure coronavirus test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19. The requirement applies to all airline passengers ages two years and older traveling to the United States, including U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs). DHS Extends Canada-U.S.-Mexico Border Restrictions - The Department of Homeland Security extended temporary travel restrictions among the United States, Canada, and Mexico through...

USCIS Announces Suspension of In-Person Services January 19 and 20

22:29 15 January in News Updates by Larrabee

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced it will temporarily suspend in-person services at all field offices, asylum offices and application support centers on January 19th and 20th "to ensure the safety of [its] employees and individuals with appointments." USCIS will reschedule individuals who had appointments on Jan. 19 and 20 and send them notices with their new appointment dates. The USCIS website and USCIS Contact Center will remain available for information, case status updates, and other online tools and resources. _______________________________ The closures are related to security concerns at federal buildings prior to/ on Inauguration Day. USCIS should send two copies of notices of rescheduled appointments: one...