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...
Topic: Immigration Updates
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...
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...
