Foreign nationals with approved permanent residence applications but no actual permanent resident card (known as Green Cards) are not the only ones dealing with the printing back-up at USCIS. After deciding to bring the printing of Green Cards and all other employment authorization documents in-house, USCIS is not able to keep up with the
Amy L. Peck
As co-leader of the firm’s Immigration group, Amy Peck plays a pivotal role in ensuring the group’s attorneys—and the firm—achieve optimal success for employers on any immigration matter. She believes strongly in Jackson Lewis’ collegial culture and sets the tone for a work environment that expects, encourages, and celebrates collaboration among not just the practice group, but others across the firm as well.
Amy loves to dive into complex immigration and compliance issues in the workplace, especially those that intersect employment and immigration law. She approaches client service with the understanding that businesses need practical advice that take a 360-degree view. Amy is especially effective when confronted with a difficult and unique problem to solve for a client. In today’s regulatory environment, Amy is aware that every fact has an impact, and a proactive approach is the best protection.
I-9 Inspection and Return-to-Work Issues
The Department of Homeland Security’s COVID-19 flexibility regarding the physical presence requirements for I-9 inspection ends on July 19, 2020, for companies that are still operating 100-percent remotely. Unless further extended, the three-day rule to review the original documents in person will kick in on that date. But that three-day clock may start ticking
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White House Issues Amendment to Presidential Proclamation on Suspension of New Work Visas
The White House has issued an amendment to the June 22, 2020, Presidential “Proclamation Suspending Entry of Aliens Who Present a Risk to the U.S. Labor Market Following the Coronavirus Outbreak” to clarify an issue regarding those who are outside the scope of the Proclamation.
According to the amendment, not all those…
USCIS Workers Put on Furlough
Since May, USCIS has been threatening furloughs of three-quarters of its workforce in August if it does not receive a $1.2 billion loan and an average 21% increase in fees to take care of its budget shortfall. Reportedly, more than 13,000 of the 20,000 USCIS employees who work on citizenship and visa processes will receive…
New Work Visas Suspended Under Presidential Proclamation Until End of 2020
The day before his previous Proclamation on immigrant visas was to expire, President Donald Trump signed the “Proclamation Suspending Entry of Aliens Who Present a Risk to the U.S. Labor Market Following the Coronavirus Outbreak” to extend his previous immigrant visa restrictions and suspend issuance of certain nonimmigrant, temporary work visas until at
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Privacy Issues of U.S. Collection of Social Media Information from Visa Applicants
The Department of State (DOS) has been collecting (and maintaining) information on social media use from all visa applicants (immigrant and non-immigrant) since June 2019. The DOS’s collection and maintenance of this information is the subject of a lawsuit. Read our analysis of these issues here.
U.S. Supreme Court Rules Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program May Continue
In a 5-4 decision written by Chief Justice John Roberts, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the Administration acted improperly under the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) in terminating the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, thus allowing the program to continue. See our analysis here.
I-9 Compliance Flexibility Extended to July 19
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) once again is extending its flexibility regarding the physical presence requirements for I-9 inspection for another 30 days until July 19, 2020, due to the ongoing precautions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligible employers may continue to inspect Section 2 documents remotely (e.g., over video link, fax,…
Administration Planning Additional Restrictions on Non-Immigrant Visas?
Additional restrictions on entry into the U.S. may be expected soon. Initial indications are that the Administration is considering barring H-1B, H-2B, L-1, and J-1 status among other non-immigrant visa categories.
On April 22, 2020, President Donald Trump issued the “Proclamation Suspending Entry of Immigrants Who Present Risk to the U.S. Labor Market During the…
Administration Offers Exemption from Restrictions on Entry to Foreign Professional Athletes
To support the Trump Administration’s COVID-19 reopening policies, Chad F. Wolf, the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, signed an order exempting some foreign professional athletes (and their staff and dependents) who compete in certain leagues, from the COVID-19 travel restrictions that are in place for 30 countries: China, Iran, Ireland, the U.K, and the 26…