COVID-19

Travel Update

As U.S. states are reopening and many are back to business, many U.S. and foreign nationals are starting to plan business and leisure travel abroad.  Importantly, however, the U.S. travel ban put in place via presidential proclamation in March 2020, still is in effect and prohibits entry into the U.S. of all foreign nationals who

Department of Homeland SecurityH-1B

DHS Update

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced it will be bringing back expedited processing (i.e., Premium Processing) option for the Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker-based filings and Form I-140, Immigrant Petition.  Importantly, the return of Premium Processing will be gradual and proceed in phases over the month of June.  Effective June 1,

Department of Homeland Security

DHS & Legislative Update

DHS Update In response to the ongoing pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has extended certain immigration filing deadlines.  This pertains specifically to petitioners’ and applicants’ responses to USCIS’s requests for evidence(RFEs), notices of intent to deny or revoke, appeal notices, and a few other responsive proceedings.  If the issuance date listed on the

COVID-19Hot off the Press

President Trump’s Executive Order

On April 22, 2020, President Trump signed an executive order pertaining to suspension of entry of immigrants into the U.S. during the period of post-COVID-19 recovery. The executive order significantly limits ability of immigrants (i.e., individuals intending to permanently immigrate to the U.S.) to enter this country over the following 60 day period unless they

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

Department of Homeland Security

DHS Update

Effective March 13, 2020, President Trump issued a proclamation suspending entry into the United States for immigrants and nonimmigrants who were physically present in certain European countries during the 14-day period prior to their entry or attempted entry into the United States. Affected countries include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,

Department of Homeland Security

DHS Update

As the H-1B annual lottery is upon us and the government is busy implementing the new electronic registration system for the capped H-1B filings, proceed with caution. The USCIS’s database is now “live” for both attorney and employers’ account creation for subsequent lottery registration. Be sure to coordinate account creation with your immigration legal counsel

Department of Homeland Security

DHS Update

I-9 Update: USCIS has recently announced a new version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification.  While Forms I-9 in employers’ files remain valid if they were completed during the validity period of the prior form edition, employers should be now using the new edition of the form with the 10/21/2019 version date.  Employers that require