Recent Blogs
Mar 05, 2021
Takeaways:
On March 2, 2021, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) implemented more restrictive policies, generally barring business travelers who have been in Ireland, the Schengen Area, and the U.K.
Obtaining National Interest Exceptions (“NIE”) to those travel restrictions is likely to be far more difficult and time-consuming.
Quarantining in a third country continues to be a good alternative to applying for an NIE.
Mar 01, 2021
On February 26, 2021 USCIS announced flexibilities for certain F-1 students in the filing of Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization (EAD) for Optional Practical Training (OPT). This is due to the substantial delays in issuing receipt notices at certain USCIS lockboxes where these applications are filed. These flexibilities only apply to I-765 forms received by USCIS on or after October 1, 2020 through May 1, 2021. Learn more in this blog.
Feb 25, 2021
On February 24, 2021, the Biden Administration issued a Presidential Proclamation that reversed President Trump’s EO that, for more than 10 months, has prevented many foreign nationals physically outside the United States from obtaining an Immigrant Visa which, upon issuance and admission to the United States, would automatically convert the individual to a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (“LPR”). Passed under the guise of protecting the U.S. workforce since LPRs are permitted to accept any and all forms of employment, in effect, the ban served to keep close family members of U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents, diversity visa lottery winners, key employees, and others from obtaining the Immigrant Visa that would permit them to assume LPR status. Learn more in this blog.