The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a final rule updating programs for temporary agricultural (H-2A) and temporary nonagricultural (H-2B) nonimmigrant workers. DHS said the rule, effective January 17, 2025, "seeks to strengthen worker protections and...
Topic: Immigration Articles
DHS Final Rule Updates H-1B Program, Form I-129
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a final rule, effective January 17, 2025, that will "significantly enhance U.S. companies' ability to fill job vacancies in critical fields, strengthening our economy." The new rule "modernizes the H-1B program by...
Miller Mayer’s Steve Yale-Loehr on Birthright Citizenship
Steve was quoted by Salon.com in Experts Pour Cold Water on Trump's Plan to End Birthright Citizenship—But Issue a Stark Warning. He said that ending birthright citizenship could affect U.S.-born children's parents and other relatives, such as by potentially...
DHS Terminates Arrival Restrictions for Flights Carrying Travelers From Rwanda
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has terminated arrival restrictions applicable to flights to the United States carrying persons who have recently traveled from, or were otherwise present within, Rwanda. The previous restrictions directed such flights to...
Medical Exam/Vaccination Record That Is Properly Completed and Signed May Be Used Indefinitely As Evidence
On December 9, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminded stakeholders that a Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, that is properly completed and signed by a civil surgeon on or after November 1, 2023,...
USCIS Updates Guidance on Evidence for International Entrepreneur Applicants
On December 12, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has updated policy guidance on the types of evidence that may support an application under the International Entrepreneur Rule. The guidance "covers evidence of the applicant's...
Visa Bulletin for January Provides Updates on Religious Workers, EB-5 Set-Asides, Effects of NDAA on U.S. Government Employee Special Immigrants
The Department of State's (DOS) Visa Bulletin for January 2025 includes the following updates: Scheduled Expiration of Employment Fourth Preference Religious Workers Category No SR visas in the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) category may...
USCIS Revises Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
On December 10, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced publication of a new edition of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Resident or Adjust Status. The new edition includes updates to questions and instructions. Starting February...
USCIS Reduces EAD Processing Times and Streamlines Adjudications
On December 10, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a number of steps it has taken to reduce Employment Authorization Document (EAD) processing times overall and streamline adjudication processing, including: Reducing by half the median...
DHS Announces Permanent Increase of Automatic Extension Period for Certain Work Authorization Renewal Applicants
On December 10, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a final rule that will permanently increase the automatic extension period of work authorization from up to 180 days to up to 540 days for eligible noncitizens who file a timely request to renew...
