Keeping you informed on the latest immigration news.
DOS Seeks Comments on Attestation for Employers Seeking H-2B Nonimmigrant Workers
The Department of State seeks comments on an Employment and Training Administration information collection request that supports a temporary final rule, Exercise of Time-Limited Authority to Increase the Numerical Limitation for Fiscal Year 2024 for H-2B Temporary...
Non-Minister Special Immigrant Religious Workers Category Extended
The Department of State's Visa Bulletin for May 2024 notes that H.R. 2882, signed into law on March 23, 2024, extended the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) category until September 30, 2024. The bulletin states that no SR visas may be...
DOJ Secures Agreement to Resolve Claims of Immigration-Related Discrimination at Washington University School of Medicine
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on April 17, 2024, that it secured a settlement agreement with Washington University, a private university headquartered in St. Louis. The agreement resolves DOJ's determination that the university's medical school, known as...
DOS Suspends Visa Services in Haiti
The Department of State has suspended visa services in Haiti. The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince has suspended routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments until further notice. Immigrant visa applicants who can travel to another U.S. embassy or consulate...
DHS Provides Work Authorization for Certain Ethiopian and Palestinian Students in F-1 Nonimmigrant Status
The Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency issued notices providing work authorization for certain Ethiopian and Palestinian students in lawful F-1 nonimmigrant status. Covered students may request employment authorization,...
USCIS Updates Fee Schedule for Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (I-129)
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated its fee schedule for Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker—H-1B and H-1B1 Petitions, to reflect the additional required fees for online filings. According to the American Immigration Lawyers...
DOS Announces New Exchange Visitor Program for Japan
On April 19, 2024, the Department of State (DOS) announced a new international exchange visitor program for Japan. The program authorizes an exception under the Specialist category in the Exchange Visitor Program regulations to permit Japanese language and culture...
Cap Reached for Additional Returning Worker H-2B Visas for Early Second Half of FY 2024
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on April 18, 2024, that it has received enough petitions to reach the cap for the additional 19,000 H-2B visas made available for returning workers for the early second half of fiscal year (FY) 2024 with...
Employment Authorization Granted to Eligible Palestinians under DED
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a significant update for Palestinians in the United States, as detailed in a recent Federal Register notice. Effective immediately, Palestinians covered by Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) are eligible to...
New Audit Measures for EB-5 Regional Centers
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced new audit measures under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, affecting all designated regional centers. Under the 2022 law, USCIS must conduct audits at least once every five years for each...
