DHS, DOL Publish Semiannual Regulatory Agendas

On August 8, 2022, the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Labor (DOL) published their semiannual regulatory agendas, which summarize projected and existing regulations. The agendas give an overview of what the agencies are considering during the upcoming one-year period. Below are two selected highlights of many immigration-related proposals:

• DHS plans to propose adjusting the fees charged by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for immigration and naturalization benefit requests. On August 3, 2020, DHS adjusted the fees, imposed new fees, revised certain fee waiver and exemption policies, and changed certain application requirements via a rule. A court blocked USCIS from implementing that rule. This rule would rescind and replace the changes made by the August 3, 2020, rule and establish new USCIS fees.
• DOL’s Employment and Training Administration and Wage and Hour Division, and DHS/USCIS, plan to jointly propose to amend H-2B nonimmigrant visa program regulations. The proposed rule would establish standards and procedures for employees seeking to hire foreign temporary nonagricultural workers for certain itinerant job opportunities, including entertainers and carnivals and utility regulation management.

Related Links:

• Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions, Dept. of Homeland Security, 87 Fed. Reg. 48294 (Aug. 8, 2022)
• Semiannual Agenda of Regulations, Dept. of Labor, 87 Fed. Reg. 48308 (Aug. 8, 2022)