News Updates

USCIS Releases Data on FY2022 H-1B Cap Registration Process

18:34 16 June in News Updates by Larrabee

USCIS has released data from the FY2022 H-1B cap registration process, stating that it received 308,613 H-1B registrations during the initial registration period and selected 87,500 registrations. USCIS also provided data from FY2021 for comparison. The data reflects a record number of H-1B registrations in any fiscal year. USCIS will continue to monitor the usage of selected registrations. USCIS will determine whether a second lottery will be held after the period for filing petitions selected in the initial lottery ends (that is, after June 30, 2021). LAC will alert clients should a second selection take place. FY 2022 H-1B Cap Registration Process Update from USCIS The...

WEEKLY IMMIGRATION UPDATE 5.24.2021

22:12 24 May in News Updates by Larrabee

WEEKLY IMMIGRATION UPDATE - May 24, 2021 HEADLINES 1. CBP Extends Temporary Travel Restrictions Between the U.S. and Canada/ Mexico – Land border ports of entry crossing restriction to essential travel extended through at least June 21, 2021. 2. DHS Announces Open Registration for Temporary Protected Status for Burma -- The Department of Homeland Security today published a Federal Register notice (FRN) designating Burma for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, effective May 25, 2021, through Nov. 25, 2022. 3. DHS Issues Final Rule to Remove Vacated H-1B Rule – The vacated interim final rule, issued in October 2020, made changes to the...

WEEKLY IMMIGRATION UPDATE 5.21.2021

17:36 21 May in News Updates by Larrabee

WEEKLY IMMIGRATION UPDATE - May 21, 2021 HEADLINES 1. DHS Announces Continuation of International Entrepreneur Program -- USCIS said the program, first introduced in 2017, "will remain a viable program for foreign entrepreneurs to create and develop start-up entities with high growth potential in the United States." 2. June Visa Bulletin Published – DOS announces immigrant visa priority dates effective June 1, 2021. EB-2 and EB-3 India and China advance. USCIS announces Final Action Date Chart must be utilized for employment-based categories. Family-based 2A may use the Final Action Chart; all other family-based categories must use the Dates for Filing Chart. The next “Chat with Charlie” will...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....