Tag: coronavirus
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DHS Expresses Support for Equal Access to the COVID-19 Vaccine for Undocumented Foreign Nationals
On February 1, 2021, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a press release expressing its support for equal access to COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine distribution sites for all individuals, regardless of their immigration status. DHS provided: “It is a moral and public health imperative to ensure that all individuals residing in the United States […]
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USCIS Announces another Extension of Flexibility for Responses to Agency Requests
On January 28, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), once again, extended the flexibilities it announced on March 30, 2020, to assist applicants, petitioners, and requestors who are responding to certain agency requests. Specifically, USCIS is granting applicants, petitioners, and requestors an additional sixty days to submit their responses to the following: Requests for Evidence; Continuations to […]
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Canada Announces Further Restrictions on Air & Land Travel Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
On Friday, January 29, 2021, the Canadian government announced further border restrictions aimed to slow the spread of COVID-19 variants. These restrictions will include the following: Flight Grounding The Canadian government has reached an agreement with major airlines to stop all flights from the Caribbean and Mexico to Canada as of Sunday, January 31, 2021. All […]
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Things to Consider when Attending Interviews with USCIS in the wake of COVID-19
The outbreak of the coronavirus has presented several challenges for applicants seeking to enter U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) field offices for interviews. For instance, it has become a norm for USCIS to reschedule interviews if any party physically present at an interview states they have traveled outside the U.S. in the last 14 days. […]
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Free Covid Testing Will Be Available at Pearson Airport for International Travelers
On January 6, 2020, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a new pilot program at Pearson airport in Toronto that will offer free, voluntary COVID-19 testing for inbound international travelers. The tests will be available for international travelers who are staying in Ontario for at least two weeks and are completely optional. Eligible travelers who wish to […]
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PERM Update: Processing Times and Employer Audits Have Increased in the Wake of COVID-19
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has put a strain on U.S. employers and the foreign workers they hire. Program Electronic Review Management (PERM) processing times have increased, and employers are seeing a sudden uptick in audits by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The PERM process is the first step of the green card process for foreign […]
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Breaking News: International Travelers will need to Receive a Negative COVID-19 test before flying to the U.S.
International airline travelers planning a trip to the U.S. should be prepared to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test before boarding their flights. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plans to issue an order mandating inbound international airline travelers to present proof of their negative Covid-19 test by next week. This […]
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President Trump Extends Immigrant & Nonimmigrant Visa Bans to March 31
On December 31, 2020, the Trump Administration issued a presidential proclamation, Proclamation on Suspension of Entry of Immigrants and Nonimmigrants Who Continue to Present a Risk to the United States Labor Market, extending the ban of entry for certain nonimmigrant and immigrant visas as provided for in the April 22, 2020 and June 22, 2020 proclamations. President Trump’s […]
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Canada will require all Air Travelers to show proof of Negative COVID-19 Test Results Prior to Entry
Starting January 7, 2021, all air passengers five years of age or older will be required to show proof of negative test results for COVID-19 before traveling into Canada. Air travelers will be required to show documentation of a negative laboratory test to the airline they travel prior to boarding a flight to Canada. The […]
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DHS Extends Form I-9 Flexibility an Additional 30 Days
On December 23, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced a 30-day extension of the flexibility related to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, compliance. Form I-9 is used to verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the U.S. All U.S. employers are […]
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