The Department of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Department of State, announced the countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A (temporary agricultural) and H-2B (temporary nonagricultural) visa programs. The Secretary of Homeland...
Topic: Immigration Updates
Major Settlement Changes USCIS’ Work Authorization Policy for Certain H-4, E, and L Nonimmigrant Dependent Spouses
Following recent litigation, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on November 12, 2021, that certain H-4, E, or L dependent spouses will qualify for an automatic extension provided under 8 CFR § 274a.13(d) if certain conditions are met....
Miller Mayer’s Steve Yale-Loehr Honored as Top Immigration Attorney
Miller Mayer immigration attorney Steve Yale-Loehr was listed as a top 25 global migration attorney by Uglobal Immigration Magazine. For more information, see https://www.uglobal.com/en/immigration/posts/top-25-global-migration-attorneys/. Steve was also listed in...
Justice Dept. Settles With Construction Company to Resolve Immigration-Related Discrimination Claims
The Department of Justice (DOJ) reached a settlement agreement with Priority Construction Corporation, based in Baltimore, Maryland. The settlement resolves claims that Priority Construction violated the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality...
USCIS Expands Credit Card Payment Pilot Program to California Service Center
As part of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' (USCIS) credit card payment pilot program, the California Service Center is now accepting credit card payments using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, for petitioners filing Form I-129,...
Labor Dept. Responds to Stakeholder Requests to Raise H-2B Visa Cap for First Half of FY 2022
In response to stakeholder requests to raise the H-2B visa cap for the first half of fiscal year 2022, the Department of Labor (DOL) noted that it reached the congressionally mandated cap of 33,000 H-2B visas on September 30, 2021. DOL said it encourages employers...
CDC Issues Order for Negative Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test or Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19 for All Arriving Air Passengers
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an order, effective November 8, 2021, requiring air passengers two years of age and older boarding flights to the United States to present: (1) Paper or digital documentation of a negative pre-departure viral...
House Budget Reconciliation Bill Retains High-Skilled Immigrant Provisions, Would Impose Fee Increases
The House of Representatives' 2,135-page draft budget reconciliation bill retains several immigration measures, including provisions paving the way for high-skilled scientists and engineers, and raising immigration-related fees. It also would provide for up to 10...
Miller Mayer’s Steve Yale-Loehr Quoted re Foreign Workers, Immigration Challenges, Asylum
Miller Mayer immigration attorney Steve Yale-Loehr was quoted by the New York Times in "Missing Foreign Workers Add to Hiring Challenges." He said, "Employers are having to wait a long time to get their petitions approved, and renewals are not being processed in a...
DHS Issues New Guidelines on Avoiding Enforcement Actions in or Near ‘Protected Areas’
Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, announced new guidelines for enforcement actions in or near "protected areas." The memo states, "To the fullest extent possible, we should not take an enforcement action in or near a location that would restrain...
