On February 18, 2025, the Department of State (DOS) released the following update of its interview waiver policy: The Department of State has updated the categories of applicants that may be eligible for a waiver of the nonimmigrant visa interview. Consular officers...
Topic: Immigration Updates
DHS Revokes Extension of Work Authorization for Hong Kong DED Beneficiaries in United States
On January 15, 2025, then-President Biden issued a memorandum extending eligibility for Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for certain Hong Kong residents from February 5, 2025, to February 5, 2027. President Biden also directed the Department of Homeland Security...
DHS Partially Vacates Haitian TPS Notice, Reduces Extension and Redesignation Period
On February 20, 2025, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem partially vacated the July 1, 2024, notice that extended and redesignated Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for an estimated 500,000 Haitians and persons of no nationality who last habitually...
Trump Administration Roundup: Highlights of Recent Immigration Developments
In addition to the actions reported in other articles below, the Trump administration has been busy. Below is a non-exhaustive summary of selected highlights of other recent immigration-related developments: On February 18, 2025, Department of Homeland Security (DHS)...
Stephen Yale-Loehr on H-1B Policy in USA Today
Steve was quoted by USA Today in Tech visas and trade: ‘Total killer’ Indian leader to meet with Trump regarding President Trump’s meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump’s use of H-1B immigration policy. The article summarizes what Steve said,...
EOIR Rescinds 2021 Memo, Resetting Default Filing Deadline in Non-Detained Cases to 30 Days Before Calendar Hearing
On February 14, 2025, the Department of Justice's Executive Office for Immigration Review rescinded a 2021 memorandum that set a default filing deadline in non-detained cases of 15 days before individual calendar hearings. The rescission returns the default filing...
EOIR Issues ‘Core Policy Values’ Memo
On January 27, 2025, the Department of Justice's Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) issued a memorandum, EOIR's Core Policy Values. The memo states that more guidance on the values of its "core mission" of "integrity, impartiality, and the decisional...
DOS Requests Public Comments on Passport Application Changes; Lawsuit Filed
On February 14, 2025, the Department of State (DOS) published a 30-day notice requesting public comments until March 17, 2025, on changes to the Application for a U.S. Passport (Form DS-11). Among other things, to comply with Executive Order (EO) 14168, DOS updated...
DOS Releases Employer Guidance on I-9 Reverification Process for Venezuelan TPS Beneficiaries
On February 5, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security released guidance for employers on completing the Form I-9 work authorization verification form for Venezuelan TPS beneficiaries. The notice explains that employment authorization documents (EADs) with a...
OFLC Announces Deletion of Older Records in FLAG System
On February 14, 2025, the Department of Labor's Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) announced that records more than five years old will be deleted from the Foreign Labor Access Gateway (FLAG) System beginning on March 20, 2025. OFLC explained that deletions...
