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Tag: coronavirus

  • DOS Guidance on National Interest Exceptions to Visa Bans Under Presidential Proclamations

    Presidential Proclamations 10014 and 10052 suspended the entry of certain immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants to the United States through December 31, 2020. Both proclamations provide exceptions for individuals whose entry to the U.S. would be “in the national interest” according to the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their designees; however, the proclamations provided […]
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  • USCIS Fees to Increase October 2, 2020

    On July 31, 2020, USCIS announced a final rule adjusting fees for certain immigration and naturalization benefits. The increase in fees is in response to recover costs of services for USCIS as the agency is experiencing a lack of funding.  Why does USCIS have to increase fees? USCIS is fee funded, meaning the fees collected […]
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  • Executive Order Overview: L-1 Visa

    In today’s video, our Associate Attorney, Zach Ahlstrom, discusses the impact of President Trump’s executive order on certain nonimmigrant visa categories. One of these categories is the L-1 visa. However, as Canadians are visa-exempt, Canadians are still eligible to apply for and renew L-1 status at the border. When the executive order was initially issued […]
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  • Temporary Freeze to the Public Charge Rule

    On July 29, 2020 a federal judge for the Southern District of New York issued two rulings that put a temporary freeze on the Public Charge Rule, as implemented by the Trump Administration on February 24, 2020, while a national health emergency is in place. What is the Public Charge Rule? The Public Charge Rule […]
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  • Delay in Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) & Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) Cards

    Approximately 50,000 green cards and 75,000 employment authorization documents for approved cases have still not been printed as of July 16, 2020. Reasons for this reportedly vary from COVID-19 related delays, limited financial and personnel resources within USCIS, and current administration policies. In a statement dated July 21 by the USCIS Ombudsman, the agency states that it […]
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  • Department of State Confirms Phased Resumption of Visa Services via Tweet

    In a mid-morning tweet posted on July 13, @Travel-Gov (Official Twitter for U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs) confirmed the following: “US embassies and consulates are beginning the phased resumption of routine visa services. The dates for each embassy or consulate will depend on local conditions. We are unable to provide details for […]
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  • ICE Modifies Temporary Exemptions for Online Class Allowances for Fall 2020 Semester

    During the Spring 2019 semester, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) temporarily reduced the restrictions on online courses permitted under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). The reductions allowed students in F-1 or M-1 status to participate in online or alternate learning procedures and count them towards a full course of study without risk […]
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  • Canada Day is approaching! Can I Travel to Canada?

    In order to limit the further spread of coronavirus, the U.S. has reached agreements with both Canada and Mexico to limit all non-essential travel across borders, as part of a North American approach to stop the spread of the virus. These measures were implemented on March 21, 2020 and were originally in place for 30 […]
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  • Can I Still Apply For or Renew My TN or L-1 Status?

    In this video, our Senior Associate Attorney Gabriella Agostinelli answers one of the most common questions we are hearing from clients right now: “Can I still apply for or renew my TN or L-1 status?” The answer is yes! While the border remains closed until July 21, 2020, CBP is still accepting applications for both […]
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  • Guide to Traveling to the U.S. During the COVID-19 Pandemic

    On March 24, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published notice of the Secretary’s decisions to temporarily limit the travel of individuals from Canada  and Mexico into the United states at land ports of entry along the United States-Canada and United States-Mexico border to “essential travel.”  Given the outbreak and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic within […]
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