U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is allowing 30 additional days for public comments on several information collection notices related to E-Verify. USCIS is allowing until November 27, 2023, for public comments on E-Verify NextGen. The information...
Topic: Immigration Updates
USCIS Issues Guidance on 2-Year Foreign Residence Requirement for J Nonimmigrants
Effective October 24, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued policy guidance regarding the 2-year foreign residence requirement for the J nonimmigrant exchange visitor classification. The update adds information about how USCIS determines...
Texas Service Center Is New Filing Location for H-2A, H-2B, and Certain CNMI Petitions as of November 1
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that beginning November 1, 2023, all H-2A, H-2B, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)-related Form I-129 petitions, Form I-129CW petitions, and CNMI-related Form I-539 applications must be...
Certain Renewal Applicants for Work Authorization Qualify for Automatic 180-Day Extension
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that certain renewal applicants who have filed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, qualify for an automatic extension of their expiring work authorization and/or employment authorization...
USCIS Updates Guidance on EB-5 Regional Center Program
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on October 26, 2023, that it is "updating the USCIS Policy Manual with new guidance on the EB-5 Regional Center Program and new content on regional center designation and obligations, project applications,...
DHS Announces Family Reunification Process for Ecuador
On October 18, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a new family reunification parole process for certain nationals of Ecuador that also allows for work authorization. The new process is for certain nationals of Ecuador whose family members are...
USCIS Clarifies Guidance on L-1 Petitions for Intracompany Transferees Filed by Sole Proprietorships and on Blanket L Petitions
On October 20, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued policy guidance to clarify that a sole proprietorship may not file an L-1 petition on behalf of its owner because the sole proprietorship does not exist as a distinct legal entity separate...
Visa-Free Travel to United States Is Now Available for Israelis
On October 19, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the start of visa-free travel for short-term visits to the United States for eligible Israeli citizens and nationals following Israel's admission into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Eligible...
State Dept. Intends to Resume Renewal of H-1B Nonimmigrant Visas in the United States for Certain Applicants
The Department of State (DOS) intends to resume the renewal of H-1B nonimmigrant visas in the United States for certain applicants beginning with a pilot program in early 2024, and has sent its proposal to the Office of Management and Budget for review. Currently, the...
DHS Plans to Amend H-1B Regulations Governing Specialty Occupation Workers
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to amend its H-1B regulations "governing H–1B specialty occupation workers to modernize and improve the efficiency of the H–1B program, add benefits and flexibilities, and improve integrity measures." The notice of...
