March 15, 2021|Contributed by: Luke Niermann
On March 9, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, announced that the government will no longer defend the new 2019 public charge rule proposed and implemented by the Trump administration. Secretary Mayorkas commented: The 2019 public charge rule was not in keeping with our nation’s values. It penalized those who access health […]
March 8, 2021|Contributed by: Joseph & Hall P.C.
The Department of Homeland Security today published a Federal Register notice (FRN) announcing the designation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, effective March 9, 2021, through Sept. 9, 2022. The FRN details the eligibility criteria Venezuelan nationals (and individuals without nationality who last habitually resided in Venezuela) must meet and describes procedures necessary to submit […]
March 8, 2021|Contributed by: Joseph & Hall P.C.
On March 2, 2021, the Secretary of State rescinded the previous national interest determination and issued a new determination regarding categories of travelers eligible for a National Interest Exception (NIE) under Presidential Proclamation 10143, as related to the Schengen Area*, United Kingdom, and Ireland. The Proclamation restricts the entry of certain noncitizens who have been […]
February 25, 2021|Contributed by: Luke Niermann
USCIS announced on February 22, 2021, that it is reverting to the 2008 version of the naturalization civics test beginning March 1, 2021. The 2020 version of the civics test was short lived. Developed under the Trump Administration, USCIS implemented the revised civics test for those who filed their naturalization applications after December 1, 2020. […]
February 24, 2021|Contributed by: Zachary New
After the announcement of several rules that would drastically change the H-1B lottery process, and their subsequent postponements, USCIS has announced that the initial registration period for cap-subject H-1Bs is set to open on March 9, 2021 and will run through March 25, 2021. During that time, prospective employers are able to register prospective H-1B […]
February 23, 2021|Contributed by: Aaron C. Hall, Esq.
On February 18, ICE Acting Director Tae Johnson issued a memo titled Interim Guidance: Civil Immigration Enforcement and Removal Priorities (“Johnson Memo”). The Johnson Memo is effective immediately and purports to be in support of the interim civil enforcement and removal priorities from the Pekoske Memo. It will remain in effect until DHS Secretary Mayorkas […]
January 28, 2021|Contributed by: Joseph & Hall P.C.
January 27, 2021|Contributed by: Jennifer Howard
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor […]
January 26, 2021|Contributed by: Zachary New
On January 7, 2021, USCIS announced a final rule that is intended to modify the existing H-1B “lottery” selection process from its existing model, which is randomized, to a new model that prioritizes higher wage levels. The broad effect of the rule would be that the highest paid H-1B applicants would be more likely to […]
January 26, 2021|Contributed by: Aaron C. Hall, Esq.
On their first day in office, the Biden Administration announced a 100-day pause on most removals from the United States. The pause is meant to give the Department of Homeland Security time to conduct a department-wide review of policies and practices in immigration enforcement. During the review, the interim enforcement priorities will be: National security: […]
