Emergency Immigration Alert

New Presidential Proclamation on Immigration

Per the recently announced presidential proclamation, the U.S. immigration policies are being further altered to (1) continue the immigration restrictions of the April 2020 proclamation through December 31, 2020 and (2) to add further restrictions on foreign nationals’ entry into the U.S. through the end of calendar year 2020. While the April proclamation affects foreign

COVID-19Emergency Immigration Alert

Immigration Update: I-485 Applications

Recent reports have indicated that I-485 applications may be placed on hold due to President Trump’s April 2020 Presidential Proclamation. On June 12, 2020 a reporter stated that USCIS claims the basis of “the hold on processing green card applications from current U.S. residents stems from the temporary suspension of in-person services during the COVID-19

COVID-19Emergency Immigration Alert

Immigration Update: COVID-19 Pandemic

Nonimmigrant Status Management at Times of COVID-19 Lay-Offs and Satisfactory Departure •  Individuals on employment-based work visas (H-1Bs, TNs, E-1s, E-2s, E-3s, O-1s, L-1s) who are suddenly laid off due to the impact of COVID-19 can still afford themselves a one-time 60 day grace period to change status to another employer-sponsored visa or apply for

COVID-19Emergency Immigration Alert

How To Navigate Employment Verification Requirements During COVID-19

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has relaxed the employment verification requirements with COVID-19 and social distancing requirements for employers who are operating solely remotely. Specifically, DHS will exercise discretion with the physical inspection requirement of the employee’s identity and employment authorization documents by allowing the employer to inspect the Section 2 documents remotely (via

COVID-19Emergency Immigration Alert

Immigration Update: COVID-19 Pandemic

H-1B Workers: Worksite Changes at Time of COVID-19 If you are employing H-1B professionals, you probably recall posting notices concerning their employment at the intended worksites with your company, and are likely aware that H-1B employment is not only employer-, but also location-specific. In these uncertain times of COVID-19 related business changes, do you have

Emergency Immigration Alert

Premium Processing Suspension for H-1B Petitions

Starting April 3, 2017, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will temporarily suspend premium processing (i.e., 15-day expedited processing) for all H-1B petitions for up to 6 months. Importantly, since April 3, 2017 marks the start of the cap-subject H-1B petitions acceptance for the Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18), the suspension will affect all petitions filed

Emergency Immigration Alert

New Executive Order Affecting Travel

On March 6, 2017, President Trump signed a new Executive Order (EO), once again suspending U.S. entry for nationals of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen for a minimum of 90 days, among other things. The new order is to take effect on March 16, 2017. Of note, Iraq has been removed from the