Headlines: 1. Expedited Removal Expands to Interior of United States -With immediate effect, DHS issued a notice to dramatically expand the process of expedited removal. The ACLU has promised to file a suit challenging the action. 2. USCIS Amends EB-5 Regulations, Raising Minimum Investment Amounts and Modifying TEA Designations -A long-anticipated final rule provides priority […]
Headlines: 1. DOL Unveils New H-2A Proposed Rule -Among other things, the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking would mandate electronic filing of job orders and applications, promote the use of digital signatures, and provide employers with the option of staggering the entry of H-2A workers on a single application. 2. House Holds Hearing on USCIS Policy […]
Headlines: 1. ICE Moving Forward With Arrests of Thousands of Immigrants and Family Members -ICE plans to move forward with operations to arrest and quickly deport thousands of immigrants and their family members who are in the United States without authorization. 2. House Passes Bill to Eliminate Per-Country Cap on Employment-Based Immigrants -The U.S. House […]
Headlines: 1. Sen. Paul Blocks Bill to Eliminate Per-Country Cap on Employment-Based Green Cards -The “Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2019” (S. 386), a bill that would eliminate the 7 percent per-country cap (numerical limitation) on employment-based immigrants, among other things, was blocked in the Senate by Rand Paul (R-Ky.). 2. OMB Concludes Review […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Expands ‘FIRST’ Digital FOIA System -USCIS said FIRST is the only system in the U.S. government that allows users to submit and track FOIA requests and receive documents digitally. 2. USCIS Extends Parole and Work Authorization for Certain CNMI Residents -USCIS will automatically extend parole, and employment authorization if applicable, for certain […]
Headlines: 1. PASSPORTS: AN OVERVIEW -This article provides an overview of passport policies and practices in several countries. 2. FRANCE -The French government has issued a decree to implement an ordinance specifying the conditions for issuing residence permits to British nationals to continue their stay in France after the Brexit date, in the event of […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Aims to Decrease Processing Times Based on Location for Applications for Naturalization and to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status -USCIS said this may mean scheduling applicants to appear for an interview at a field office outside of their normal jurisdictions. 2. Green Card Backlogs Are Long, Growing, and Inequitable, CATO Institute […]
Headlines: 1. Ken Cuccinelli Named Acting Director of USCIS -Mr. Cuccinelli previously served as Virginia’s attorney general from 2010 to 2014. 2. Visa Bulletin for July Notes Slowdowns or Retrogressions (Visa Unavailability) in Several Employment-Based Immigrant Visa Categories Before End of Fiscal Year -The Visa Bulletin also includes details on expected potential monthly movement for […]
Headlines: 1. Premium Processing Begins for Remaining H-1B Cap-Subject (Lottery) Petitions -On June 10, 2019, USCIS will begin premium processing for all remaining FY 2020 H-1B lottery petitions. 2. OFLC’s New Online ‘FLAG’ Portal to Replace iCERT -The Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) will serve as the new application filing and case management portal for […]
Headlines: 1. State Dept. Notes Continued Heavy Demand, Retrogressions (Visa Unavailability) in Several Employment-Based Immigrant Visa Categories -The Visa Bulletin for June 2019 notes heavy demand in several employment-based visa categories for India and Vietnam. 2. USCIS Requests Info on EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Experience -USCIS wants information from attorneys, accredited representatives, regional center owners, […]