Tag: coronavirus
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Breaking News: District Court Sets Aside Two Interim Final Rules Targeting Employment-Based Immigration
On December 1, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California set aside two interim final rules upending the H-1B visa program and other employment-based immigration categories in Chamber of Commerce v. DHS. Both rules were announced in October and comprised of significant changes to the H-1B prevailing wage levels and eligibility criteria. The […]
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Relaxation of Employer I-9 Compliance will end November 19, 2020
Form I-9 is used to verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States. All U.S. employers are required to complete Form I-9 for any individual they hire in the United States—including citizens and noncitizens. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on March 20, […]
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COVID-19 & Its Impact On Nonimmigrant Waiver Applications
Form I-192 allows inadmissible nonimmigrant aliens to apply for advance permission to temporarily enter the United States. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and the Canadian Border closing, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has stopped accepting waiver applications and is not processing I-192 biometrics for e-SAFE pending applications. Originally, the I-192 filing fee was supposed to increase from $585 […]
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Who Can Vote in the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election
With the 2020 Presidential Election quickly approaching on November 3, 2020, and early and absentee voting already underway in several states, it is important to know who is eligible to vote in the election. Ensuring you are eligible to vote prior to voting is essential, because unlawfully voting in an election is a violation of […]
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New York State’s Quarantine Rules for International Travelers
On September 28, 2020, Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order No. 205.1 confirming the mandatory quarantine requirements for international travelers arriving in New York State. What are the New York State quarantine requirements for international travelers? The order modifies Executive Order No. 205, which confirmed a 14-day quarantine requirement for travelers arriving in New York from any state with […]
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Canada Releases Additional Details on Entry for Extended Family Members & Limited Release from Quarantine for Compassionate Reasons
On October 8, 2020, Canada officially released the details regarding individuals exempt from the Canadian border restrictions and options for obtaining limited release from the 14-day mandatory quarantine in Canada for compassionate reasons. Under the new rules, the following individuals are now eligible to enter Canada if they obtain the proper authorization: An immediate family member […]
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Canada to Change Border Restrictions this Week, Allowing Certain Individuals with Pre-Approval to Enter
Last Friday, Canada announced that it will share new procedures on Thursday that will allow some extended family members, international students, and individuals with compassionate reasons to cross the border. All individuals will need pre-approval from the Canadian government in order to cross the border. Canada has stated that there will be a “robust process” […]
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FAQ October 2020 Visa Bulletin
On September 24, 2020, the Department of State (DOS) released the highly-anticipated October 2020 Visa Bulletin. The Visa Bulletin, released monthly by the DOS, provides updated dates on when a foreign national can submit their Adjustment of Status (AOS) application or have their AOS case adjudicated. The submission of an AOS application is the final step […]
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Canadian Immigration Service Announces Increase in Workers Processing Spousal Applications
In a year that has seen immigration delays soar and heavy restrictions at the Canadian/U.S. border, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (“IRCC”) announced some good news last week for couples presently going through the sponsorship process. IRCC announced that it has increased the number of officers working on spousal applications, with the hope to reduce couples’ […]
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October 2020 Visa Bulletin Provides Significant Forward Movement for Employment-Based Adjustment of Status Applications
On September 24, 2020, the Department of State (DOS) released the October 2020 Visa Bulletin. The Visa Bulletin, released monthly by the DOS, provides updated dates on when a foreign national can submit his/her Adjustment of Status (AOS) application or have his/her AOS case adjudicated. The submission and adjudication of the AOS application are the final steps […]
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