The Department of Labor's Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) posted an announcement on April 14, 2023, regarding recent permanent labor certification applications that were denied where the employer did not explicitly answer the question in field H.10-B of...
Topic: Immigration Updates
Employers May File H-2B Petitions for Late Second Half of FY 2023
On April 13, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began accepting petitions for workers for the late second half of fiscal year (FY) 2023—those requesting employment start dates from May 15, 2023, to September 30, 2023—under the H-2B supplemental...
U.S. District Court Finds CBP Violated Rights of Pastor Ministering to Migrants
A U.S. district court ruled that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) violated the rights of an ordained senior pastor, Rev. Kaji Dousa, a U.S. citizen, who was providing pastoral support and conducting rituals for migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border, including...
DHS Announces Six New Subcommittees for Homeland Security Advisory Council
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced six new subcommittees for its Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC). HSAC comprises leaders in local law enforcement; first responders; state, local and tribal governments; national policy; the private sector;...
USCIS Is Accepting Self-Identified Gender Markers for Immigration Benefits
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that it is accepting a self-identified gender marker for individuals requesting immigration benefits. The gender marker they select does not need to match the gender marker indicated on their...
USCIS Allows Additional 30 Days for Comments on Revisions to Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is allowing an additional 30 days, until May 5, 2023, for comments on revisions to Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status. USCIS said it may consider recommendations made in...
DOS Publishes Notice on Ukrainian J-1 Student Relief
Under the Exchange Visitor Program regulations, the Department of State's (DOS) Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs published a notice on April 5, 2023, waiving and modifying certain regulatory requirements with respect to a temporary educational...
USCIS To Propose ‘Frontlog’ Rule To Eliminate Backlogs
As part of its modernization program, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on April 1, 2023, that it plans to propose a "Frontlog Rule" soon to eliminate and reverse backlogs, which have led to backbiting, backlashing, and backtracking. The plan...
New HART Center to Focus on Humanitarian Cases
On March 30, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the opening of the virtual Humanitarian, Adjustment, Removing Conditions, and Travel Documents (HART) Service Center, the sixth service center within its Service Center Operations...
USCIS Updates Policy on Timeframes for Paper-Based Filings/Responses
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated policy guidance to address situations when the last day to file a benefit request or respond to a USCIS action falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday. In these situations, effective immediately,...
