Under a court order, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) extended flexibilities for certain foreign students affected by delayed receipt notices for Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. USCIS said the extension includes applications...
Topic: Immigration Updates
USCIS Conducts Second Random Selection From Previously Submitted FY 2022 H-1B Cap Registrations
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on July 29, 2021, that it needed to select additional H-1B registrations to reach the fiscal year (FY) 2022 quota. On July 28, 2021, the agency selected additional previously submitted electronic...
Justice Dept. Issues Reminder for DACA Recipients and Employers
The Department of Justice (DOJ) released a reminder for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and employers on July 21, 2021. The reminder notes that on July 16, 2021, a federal court found DACA unlawful, which means that the government cannot grant...
Temporary Protected Status Updates: Somalia, Burma, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen
On July 21, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security announced the extension and redesignation of Somalia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from September 18, 2021, through March 17, 2023, due to "the ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and...
Credit Card Payment Pilot Program Expanded for Certain Premium Processing Applicants
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on July 20, 2021, the expansion of a pilot program at the Nebraska Service Center (NSC) for accepting credit card payments using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, from certain...
USCIS Updates Addresses for Filing Locations for Certain Forms I-131
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has adjusted the addresses for certain applicants filing Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. USCIS did not change any filing locations but "refined attention lines and ZIP codes to improve internal processes...
Employers May File H-2B Petitions for Returning Workers for FY 2021, USCIS Says
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on July 23, 2021, that employers may file H-2B petitions for returning workers under the fiscal year (FY) 2021 H-2B supplemental visa temporary final rule. "Employers may take this action if they are likely...
Applicants for Change of Status to F-1 Student No Longer Need to Submit Subsequent Applications to ‘Bridge the Gap’
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration (USCIS) announced on July 20, 2021, new policy guidance that eliminates the need for individuals who have applied for a change of status to F-1 student to apply to change or extend their nonimmigrant status while their initial F-1...
U.S. Extends Nonessential Travel Restrictions at Canada, Mexico Land Borders; Canada Opens to U.S. Citizens/Permanent Residents August 9
The United States has once again extended travel restrictions at its borders with Canada and Mexico for nonessential travel into the United States at least through August 21, 2021. The United States has done so monthly since March 2020 in response to the pandemic....
Justice Dept. Settles Retaliation Claim
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on July 15, 2021, that it reached a settlement agreement with Around the Clock Dispatch Inc., a freight and delivery services company in Queens Village, New York. The settlement resolves DOJ's finding that the company violated...
