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...
Topic: Immigration Updates
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...
OFLC’s Atlanta Processing Center to Move in August
The Department of Labor's Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) mailing address for its Atlanta National Processing Center (ANPC) will change on August 25, 2021, with the exception of mail associated with the processing of applications requesting permanent...
OFLC Releases FAQ on Implementation of Revised ETA-9141
On July 16, 2021, the Department of Labor's Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) released Round 3 of frequently asked questions (FAQs) from the National Prevailing Wage Center (NPWC) to respond to inquiries from a webinar on implementing the revised Form...
USCIS Updates Guidance on Acceptable I-9 Documents for Refugees and Asylees
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration (USCIS) updated its Handbook for Employers (M-274) to remind employers that refugees and asylees may present any acceptable documents in their possession to fulfill I-9 employment authorization verification requirements. USCIS noted...
USCIS Reminds Employers to Take Action Within 10 Federal Government Working Days on Tentative Nonconfirmation Cases
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminded employers that they must take action on Tentative Nonconfirmation (TNC) cases for their employees within 10 federal government working days. USCIS noted that although most Social Security Administration...
No Surprise: Ombudsman’s Annual Report Says USCIS Faces ‘Unprecedented Challenges’ Due to Pandemic, Backlogs, Financial Issues
The Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) Ombudsman's Annual Report for 2021 states that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) "faces unprecedented challenges this year on virtually every front—from financial pressures to substantial backlogs across...
New DACA Applications Blocked by Federal Judge
New Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) applications will not be allowed under a ruling by a U.S. district judge in Texas on July 16, 2021. The judge ruled that DACA violated the Administrative Procedure Act but temporarily stayed his ruling for the nearly...
