Apr 8, 2020
USCIS has created a document called “Questions and Answers Related to Temporary Policies for Form I-9 and E-Verify” with policy responses to the coronavirus pandemic. To assist employers during the pandemic, we have restated the most common occurrences here.
Apr 6, 2020
Lehigh County, PA commissioners have introduced a regulation change which, if enacted, would limit which construction companies can bid for government contracts. Learn more in this blog.
Apr 6, 2020
In light of international travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 situation, the United States Department of State (DOS) has granted an automatic two (2) month extension to J-1 Exchange Visitors under the Au Pair, Intern, Trainee, Scholar, and Specialist categories. Any J-1 program that had an expiration date between April 1 and May 31, 2020 will be granted a two-month extension in order to provide exchange visitors the opportunity to complete their programs and to continue to finalize travel plans to return home. Learn more in this blog.
Apr 3, 2020
The Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) remains fully operational amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to process and issue prevailing wage determinations and labor certifications that meet all statutory and regulatory requirements. Learn more in this blog.
Apr 2, 2020
USCIS appointments, interviews, naturalization ceremonies, and other face-to-face interactions with the public cancelled through May 3. USCIS will automatically reschedule and send out new notices to those affected. USCIS Service Centers remain operational. Learn more in this blog.
Apr 1, 2020
A Rhode Island restaurant group challenged a USCIS denial and won H-1B “specialty occupation” status for its General Operations Manager, an Indian national, in federal court. Learn more in this press release.
Mar 31, 2020
USCIS recently announced response extensions have been applied to NOIR, NOIT, and I-290B Filings. Previously gathered biometrics are being utilized for new EAD Applications. Learn more in this blog.
Mar 30, 2020
A SEVP Guidance Document was updated and provided on March 20, 2020 addressing frequently asked questions related to F and M students and SEVP-Certified Schools in Response to the COVID-19 situation. Learn more in this blog.
Mar 27, 2020
If an RFE was issued between March 1, 2020 and May 1, 2020, you may submit up-to-60-days beyond the stated deadline. It does not appear that new RFE/NOID Notices will be issued. Learn more in this blog.
Mar 27, 2020
The selection process for Fiscal Year 2021 H-1B Cap is completed. USCIS will alert selected Registrations no later than March 31, 2020. A 90-day filing period will commence April 1, 2020. Unselected Registrations will remain on file until the FY 2021 H-1B Cap has been reached. Learn more in this blog.
Mar 26, 2020
Appointments, interviews, naturalization ceremonies, and other face-to-face interactions with the public cancelled through April 7. USCIS will automatically reschedule and send out new notices to those affected. USCIS Service Centers remain operational. Learn more in this blog.
Mar 20, 2020
Though its Field Offices have cancelled most face-to-face interactions with the public, USCIS Service Centers remain open and operational. Forms may be submitted with photocopies of original signatures for submissions dated March 21 and beyond. Effective today, March 20, 2020, USCIS will stop accepting new requests for Premium Processing due to COVID-19. USCIS will continue to adjudicate pending Petitions with Premium Processing, and will continue to accept and adjudicate new filings using Regular Processing.
Mar 20, 2020
The United States Department of State has announced that all routine visa services will be suspended on a temporary and indefinite basis, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent weeks, multiple countries have announced a hold on non-emergency services and appointments. This is the first announcement putting a hold on all routine services around the world. Learn more in this blog.
Mar 20, 2020
U.S. employers are required to examine documents in fulfilling their responsibilities to only employ authorized workers. This is in connection with the Form I-9, employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9). This has presented a problem for many employers who cannot meet with their employees due to the risks of, or illegality of, face-to-face contact during the coronavirus pandemic. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is permitting a waiver of the physical inspection requirement as of today. Learn more in this blog.
Mar 18, 2020
H-1B Premium Processing will not be available when filing period opens April 1, 2020. It should be available for Petitions requesting a change of status from F-1 to H-1B no later than May 27, 2020, and for all others no sooner than June 29, 2020. For now, suspension only applies to FY2021 H-1B Cap Petitions. Unclear how COVID-19 will affect Premium Processing availability more generally. Learn more in this blog.
Mar 15, 2020
Effective 11:59 PM March 16, 2020, recent visitors to the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland will also be banned from traveling to the United States. Learn more in this blog.
Mar 15, 2020
USCIS announced Friday, March 13, 2020, that the Public Charge Rule does not restrict access to testing, screening, or treatment of communicable diseases, including COVID-19. In addition, the rule does not restrict access to vaccines for children or adults to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases. Learn more in this blog.
Mar 15, 2020
The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) announced late Friday that Immigration Courts are postponing non-detained Master Calendar Hearings beginning Monday, March 16, 2020 through April 10, 2020 for hearings in Newark, New York City, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco and Boston. The Seattle Immigration Court was previously closed indefinitely in response to the outbreak. Unfortunately, at the risk of further spreading COVID-19, EOIR maintains that all other Immigration Court locations remain operational—this includes the Philadelphia Immigration Court. Learn more in this blog.
Mar 13, 2020
ICE is aiming at 15,000 Audits this year. For audited companies, the 30 days that the Audit notice gives them to present perfect Form I-9s is daunting. It represents at least three significant threats: 1) fines and penalties, 2) management and administrative disruption, and 3) business disruption if any of the employees are found to be “unauthorized workers.” Learn more in this blog.
Mar 12, 2020
United States is now barring entry to non-U.S. Citizens/Lawful Permanent Residents physically present in almost all of Europe within 2 weeks of seeking admission – even those with valid immigrant or nonimmigrant visas – effectively closing off most European travel to United States. Learn more in this blog.