The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is extending and redesignating Syria for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). DHS also announced Special Student Relief for F-1 nonimmigrant students from Syria. DHS said this will enable eligible students to request employment...
Topic: Immigration Updates
DHS Announces ‘Streamlined and Expedited’ Deferred Action Process for Noncitizen Workers Who Are Victims of, or Witness, Violations of Labor Rights
On January 13, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that noncitizen workers who are victims of, or witnesses to, violations of labor rights can now access a "streamlined and expedited deferred action request process." DHS explained that deferred...
USCIS May Excuse Untimely Filed Extension of Stay and Change of Status Requests Under ‘Extraordinary Circumstances’
On January 24, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated its policy guidance to provide that USCIS, "in our discretion and under certain conditions, may excuse a nonimmigrant's failure to timely file an extension of stay or change of status...
USCIS Releases Additional Details About Organizational Accounts
During a public engagement session, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) unveiled additional details about its launch of organizational accounts in February 2024, in time for non-cap filings and the fiscal year 2025 H-1B cap season. USCIS noted: A company...
Miller Mayer’s Steve Yale-Loehr Quoted re Border Crisis
Miller Mayer immigration attorney Steve Yale-Loehr was quoted by PolitiFact in “Ask PolitiFact: What Branch of Government is 'Really' Responsible for the Crisis at the Border?” Steve said, "Each of the three branches of government has a role to play in immigration law...
U.S., Mexican Officials Meet in Washington, DC, to Continue Migration Talks
Top officials from the United States and Mexico met in Washington, DC, on January 19, 2024, to continue their discussion and cooperation on efforts to reduce the flow of migrants heading to the United States from Mexico, which has fallen since the start of 2024, due...
DOL Seeks OMB Approval, Comments on O*NET Data Collection Program
The Department of Labor (DOL) has submitted the O*NET Data Collection Program to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. DOL said that O*NET is "an ongoing effort to collect and maintain current information on the detailed characteristics of...
CBP Publishes Interim Final Rule Requiring Electronic Travel Authorization Before Traveling to Guam or CNMI and Establishing a New Travel Authorization Program
A new U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) interim final rule, effective September 30, 2024, requires persons intending to travel to Guam or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program (G-CNMI VWP) to submit Form...
DOS Provides Guidance, FAQs on Domestic Renewal of H-1B Visas for Certain Applicants
The Department of State (DOS) has released guidance and frequently asked questions on its new pilot program to resume domestic visa renewals for qualified H-1B nonimmigrant visa applicants who meet certain requirements. The pilot program will accept applications from...
DOL Increases Civil Monetary Penalties for Certain Immigration-Related Employer Violations
Effective January 15, 2024, as part of annual inflation adjustments, the Department of Labor (DOL) is increasing D-1, H-1B, H-2A, and H-2B civil monetary penalties it assesses or enforces for employer violations. To compute the 2024 annual adjustment, DOL multiplied...
