President Trump’s June 22nd Executive Order was arguably the most aggressive assault on U.S. business immigration of his administration – tying COVID-era unemployment rates to suspension of new H-1B, L-1 and J-1 visas issued outside of the United States. The suspension does not impact foreign nationals already in the United States in a valid visa… [Read More]
USCIS Announces COVID-19 Temporary Policy for List B Identity Documents
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a temporary policy for expired “List B” Identity documents used for to complete Employment Eligibility Verification of Form I-9. Starting May 1, List B Identity documents that expire on or after March 1, 2020, may be treated as if the employee presented a valid receipt for the document. USCIS… [Read More]
Trump Narrows Immigration Ban to 60 Day Suspension of Green Card Issuance
UPDATE: President Trump signed an Executive Order that says there will be a suspension of the issuance of a new green card. The Executive Order will not impact all green card petitions, including: Anyone physically present in the US on April 22, 2020. U.S. residents with pending I-485s will not be affected. If an individual… [Read More]
Impact of Work Closures and Temporary Shutdowns on H-1B Status
Please note, the COVID-19 situation is very fluid and the government agencies are issuing new and changing guidance on H-1B status and others on an almost daily basis. Before taking any actions, please consult with your counsel at FordMurray for the latest developments and updated guidance on this topic. With many local governments, state governments,… [Read More]
Immigration Updates on COVID-19
As governments and health organizations worldwide respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. visa and green card holders and sponsors should closely monitor impacts on travel restrictions and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and U.S. Embassy services. If you have specific questions, please reach out to us via email. We have experienced an influx… [Read More]
Understanding the H-1B Online Registration System
UPDATE 2/17/2021 United States Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS) indicated it will open H-1B registration for FY2021 on March 9, 2021. The window will close March 25, 2021. During the registration period, petitioners can electronically file petitioner and beneficiary information through the electronic registration process. On February 5, USCIS shared the following guidance on this year’s… [Read More]
Public Charge Rule Change: What You Need to Know
Changes to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Public Charge Rule, scheduled to go into effect on February 24th, will fundamentally change how officers will determine inadmissibility for adjustment of status applicants and those seeking an extension or change of their current nonimmigrant status. The Public Charge Rule will NOT apply to: Those… [Read More]
Trump Administration Expands Travel Ban
An expansion of President Trump’s 2017 travel ban adds Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan and Myanmar. With the expansion, announced January 31, 2020, nearly a quarter of the population of Africa is subject to the immigration guidelines, according to the New York Times. The newest travel ban applies to citizens of Nigeria, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan and… [Read More]
Iranian Citizens No Longer Eligible for E Visa
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today that citizens of Iran will no longer be eligible for E-1 or E-2 visas. The move comes following the October 3, 2018 termination of the 1955 Treaty of Amity, Economic Relations, and Consular Rights with Iran. Without a qualifying treaty of commerce between Iran and the… [Read More]
USCIS Announces Implementation of Electronic Filing for H-1B Petition for FY 2021 Cap
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the electronic registration process proposed in 2019 will be implemented for H-1B petitioners seeking to file cap-subject Petitions in 2020. The electronic registration requirement will fundamentally change how the H-1B lottery is administered and should reduce the burden of paperwork for employers and for USCIS. As a… [Read More]
