On June 14, 2021, USCIS issued a policy alert that will give principal petitioners (the main applicant) and qualifying family members with pending and valid U visa petitions work permits. To find out what a U visa is, you can go to my blog post here. The terms U nonimmigrant status and U visa are […]
In President Biden’s first 100 days in office, he will be proposing many immigration-related policy changes and executive orders, as well as an immigration bill. Click here to read more about those plans. Here are some of the immigration-related issues that the Biden administration has said it will address: Reverse the Trump Administration’s policies that
The First 100 Days of the Biden Administration – Immigration Edition Read More »
News, Policy ChangeNo one can deny that this year has been full of uncertainty and changes because of the pandemic. I cannot think of one sector or industry that has not been affected in one way or another, including our U.S. immigration system. Many changes have happened and as attorneys, we have had to navigate our way
Public Charge Rule Updates and Other U.S. Immigration Changes Due to COVID-19 Read More »
Policy Change*Update: On September 29, 2020, a federal judge blocked the filing fees from increasing at this time. USCIS is raising its fees by an average of 20%, but some fees will increase by much more than that. If you have an immigration case that can be filed before that date, you should do so. Below
USCIS Raising Filing Fees Effective October 2, 2020 Read More »
Policy Change
On June 22, 2020, President Trump issued a proclamation that suspends issuance of H-1B, H-2B, J and L visas until at least December 31, 2020. The suspension could be extended depending on the circumstances at that time. This proclamation also extends the proclamation from April 22, 2020, that bans certain immigrants from coming into the
President Trump Issues Proclamation Suspending Entry of H-1B, H-2B, L, and J Visas Read More »
Employment, H-1B, Policy Change
*UPDATE* On December 31, 2020, a proclamation was issued that extends this ban until March 31, 2021. On April 22, 2020, The president’s proclamation was signed that will temporarily not allow certain people to come to the U.S. for at least 60 days, but it can be extended if needed. This applies to people who
On January 27, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it would allow the public charge rule that was supposed to go into effect on October 11, 2019, but was stopped, to now go into effect. USCIS recently issued a news alert stating that it would start implementing this rule on February 24, 2020. Any
Important Information on the Public Charge Rule Effective 2/24/2020 Read More »
Green Card, Policy Change
Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments about whether or not the DACA program should remain in place. California, with the largest number of DACA recipients, was a leading player in the legal battle in support of the DACA program. After yesterday’s arguments, it is likely that the Court will lean toward ending the program
The U.S. Supreme Court Will Determine the Fate of DACA With A Decision By June 2020 Read More »
Policy Change
**UPDATE: On October 11, 2019, federal judges in New York and California ordered a nationwide block, which prevented the rule from going into effect. On January 27, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that this rule can go into effect. USCIS announced that they will begin implementing this rule starting February 24, 2020. A
What You Need to Know About the New Public Charge Rule Effective 10/14/2019 Read More »
Family-Based Immigration, Policy Change
With H-1B season just around the corner, the new rule for H-1B processing is something that I’ve gotten many questions on. I had written a blog post about the proposed changes to the H-1B process this past December. On January 30, 2019, DHS announced that the new rule governing the H-1B process would become final
Department of Homeland Security Announces Final Rule For H-1B Processing for FY 2020 Read More »
Employment, H-1B, Policy Change