The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said on August 24, 2021, that it "respectfully disagrees" with a district court decision that maintains the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) and "regrets that the Supreme Court declined to issue a stay." DHS said it appealed...
Topic: Immigration Updates
DHS to Serve as Lead Federal Agency Coordinating Afghan Resettlement
President Biden has directed the Department of Homeland Security to serve as the lead agency coordinating ongoing efforts across the federal government "to resettle vulnerable Afghans, including those who worked on behalf of the United States." DHS Secretary Alejandro...
DHS, OFLC Release Hurricane Ida-Related Guidance
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor's Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) released guidance related to Hurricane Ida and its aftermath. DHS said that absent exceptional circumstances, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement,...
DHS Extends I-9 Flexibility to End of December
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an extension until December 31, 2021, of the flexibility in complying with certain requirements related to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, due to continuing issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The...
State Dept. Releases Guidance on Immigrant Visa Prioritization
The Department of State (DOS) released guidance on how its embassies and consulates are prioritizing immigrant visa applications and making "difficult decisions" as they work to reduce the backlog "resulting from travel restrictions and operational constraints caused...
DHS Seeks Comments on New Civil Rights/Liberties Form
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) seeks comments by September 22, 2021, on a new DHS civil rights and civil liberties complaint and privacy waiver form. The form will allow DHS's Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) to review and investigate...
DHS Releases Guidance for Immigration Processing of Afghan Citizens Fleeing Afghanistan
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released new guidance for the immigration processing of Afghan citizens during Operation Allies Refuge, under which many thousands are being evacuated from Afghanistan. The memo states that some of these individuals were in...
Justice Dept. Settles Immigration-Related Discrimination Claims With Large Health Care Organization
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on August 25, 2021, that it reached a settlement related to immigration discrimination claims with Ascension Health Alliance, a Missouri-based health care organization with more than 2,600 sites—including 146 hospitals and...
COVID Vaccinations To Be Required for Many Green Card Applicants
Effective October 1, 2021, with few exceptions, those applying for permanent residence (green card) must be vaccinated against COVID-19, now classified as a "Class A inadmissible condition," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced. The CDC...
Miller Mayer’s Steve Yale-Loehr Quoted re Afghan Refugee Crisis
Miller Mayer immigration attorney Steve Yale-Loehr was quoted by Voice of America in "Complex U.S. Refugee Policies Likely to Limit Number of Afghan Admissions." He said the Biden administration could use humanitarian parole, an existing refugee process, to allow...
