Keeping you informed on the latest immigration news.
DHS Announces Extension and Redesignation of TPS for Afghanistan
On September 21, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the extension and redesignation of Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from November 21, 2023, to May 20, 2025. The extension and redesignation are based upon a...
DHS Announces Extension and Redesignation of TPS for Venezuela
On September 20, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the extension and redesignation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. The extension and redesignation are based upon a review of country conditions and findings that...
Justice Department Secures Agreement with UPS to Resolve Immigration-Relation Employment Discrimination Claims
On September 21, 2023, the Justice Department announced a settlement with United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS) following the department’s determination that UPS violated the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by discriminating against a lawful permanent resident. Under...
White House Announces Plans to Increase Border Enforcement and Accelerate Work Authorization
On September 20, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a series of actions to increase enforcement along the U.S.-Mexico border and accelerate work authorization processing. Regarding the southern border, DHS outlined several enforcement changes,...
Department of Homeland Security Proposes Rule to Modernize H-1B Regulations
On September 19, 2023, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) received a proposed rule from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to amend regulations governing H-1B specialty occupation workers and F-1 students who are beneficiaries of timely filed H-1B...
Electronic Signatures Now Acceptable for STEM OPT Students
Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) recently updated Form I-983 (Training Plan for STEM OPT students) to remove the requirement for wet signatures. According to the ICE bulletin released about this form change,...
CIS Ombudsman Provides Tip Sheet on How F-1 Students Can Avoid Form I-765 Delays
On September 18, 2023, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Ombudsman’s Office released a tip sheet for F-1 international students on how to avoid delays with adjudications on Form I-765, Applications for Employment Authorization. The tip sheet...
Proposed DHS Rule Seeks to Modernize H-2 Program
On September 20, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a proposed rule to strengthen protections for temporary workers under the H-2A temporary agricultural and H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker programs. The proposed rule is intended to...
USCIS Issues Update on DACA Decision
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued an update about the partial stay of the recent Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) decision by a Texas federal judge. On September 13, 2023, District Court Judge Andrew Hanen declared the Biden...
Potential Government Shutdown’s Impact on Immigration Agencies
There has been much speculation in the news that the federal government may shut down starting October 1, 2023, if Democrats and Republicans in Congress fail to pass an annual spending bill or a continuing resolution to temporarily fund the federal government. When...
