After the Biden administration's suspension and then termination in June 2021 of the Trump-era policy known as "Remain in Mexico" or the "Migrant Protection Protocols," under which asylum seekers who wish to enter the United States through Mexico await processing...
Topic: Immigration Updates
Stopgap Funding Bill Averts Government Shutdown, Includes Immigration Provisions
The U.S. Congress passed a bill to extend funding through February 18, 2022, to prevent a federal government shutdown that otherwise would have begun December 4, 2021. The House of Representatives passed the bill by a vote of 221-212, and the Senate passed it by a...
Biden Administration Increases Travel Restrictions in Response to New ‘Omicron’ Coronavirus Variant
Last week, in response to concerns and unknowns about a new coronavirus variant, called Omicron (B.1.1.529), President Biden said that most travelers (excluding U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents) who had been in any of eight countries in southern Africa for...
USCIS Incorporates General Adjudications Guidance into Policy Manual
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on November 23, 2021, that it is incorporating existing guidance from the Adjudicator's Field Manual (AFM) into the USCIS Policy Manual. In general, USCIS said, the update does not make major substantive...
USCIS Will Issue Refunds for Certain U Petitioners Who Submitted Work Authorization Applications; Some Rejected Applicants Can Resubmit
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on November 22, 2021, that it mistakenly rejected certain Forms I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, from petitioners for U nonimmigrant status that were filed without a fee (or request for fee...
Travel Bans Imposed Quickly in Response to New ‘Omicron’ Coronavirus Variant
In a rapidly developing situation, President Biden said that most travelers (excluding U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents) who have been in any of eight countries in southern Africa for the prior 14 days are barred from entry into the United States. The...
Miller Mayer’s Steve Yale-Loehr Quoted re Immigration Provisions in Social Spending Bill
Miller Mayer immigration attorney Steve Yale-Loehr was quoted by Univision in "Temporary Residence and Travel Permits: Immigration Measures Approved in Biden's Social Plan in the House." He said that the “budget bill includes a number of important immigration...
Miller Mayer Wins Green Card for Vietnamese Spouse of U.S. Citizen
Permanent resident (green card) applications are filed for either employment-based categories or family-based categories. Miller Mayer has decades of experience with both and we proudly represent families in their immigration journeys. Miller Mayer immigration...
ESTA Application Revisions to Include Mandatory Social Media Collection; DHS Seeks Public Comment
The Department of Homeland Security issued a 60-day notice and request for comments on revisions to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for Visa Waiver Program travelers. Specifically, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is amending the ESTA...
China-Mainland Born EB-5 Non-Regional Center Visa Categories are Current for December
The Department of State's Visa Bulletin for December 2021 notes that China-mainland born EB-5 (C5 and T5) non-regional center visa categories (i.e., “direct” EB-5 investors) are "Current" for December. Both the filing date and final action date are "Current," meaning...
