Brenda Oliver

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Expiration of COVID-19 Travel Restrictions

By Brenda Oliver & Manda Brefo on May 11, 2023

Posted in Biden Administration, Compliance and Enforcement, COVID-19, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Fees and Penalties, I-9 and E-Verify, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Travel (General), US Immigration, USCIS

The last-standing COVID-19-related travel restrictions will soon expire. Bringing the United States in line with most countries around the world, after May 11, 2023, non-citizen, nonimmigrant air passengers need not show proof of being fully vaccinated to board a flight to the United States.

Until May 12, nonimmigrants must still document having a bivalent or…

OSHA’s New Authority to Issue T, U Nonimmigrant Law Enforcement Visas

By Brenda Oliver on April 11, 2023

Posted in EADs, Humanitarian Programs, Other Non-immigrant Visas, Parole / Advance Parole, Permanent Residence, Undocumented Individuals, US Immigration, USCIS

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been given the authority to issue certifications in support of applications for T and U nonimmigrant visas beginning March 30, 2023.

To assist agencies in combatting human trafficking and other crimes, OSHA will issue these certifications during workplace safety investigations that identify qualifying criminal activities, including trafficking…

Foreign Student-Athletes and Name, Image, Likeness

By Amy L. Peck & Brenda Oliver on December 9, 2022

Posted in DAPA / DACA, DED, E-1 / E-2, EADs, EB-1, Green Cards, H-1B, H-4, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), L-1A / L-1B, L-2, O-1, P-1, Permanent Residence, Students / CPT / OPT / STEM, Temporary (Non-immigrant) Work Visas, TPS

Prior to 2021, collegiate student-athletes were not able to make sponsorship deals and profit from their names, images, and likenesses (NILs). However, in 2021, that changed when the NCAA adopted a new policy allowing student-athletes (those headed for professional teams, as well as less prominent players) to profit from, and build their brands, while in…

H-2B Update: Nearly 65K Temporary Nonagricultural Visas Added to FY 2023 Allocation

By Jessica Feinstein & Brenda Oliver on October 19, 2022

Posted in Department of Labor, H-2B, Industry Specific, Temporary (Non-immigrant) Work Visas, US Immigration, USCIS

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in conjunction with the Department of Labor (DOL) will be starting the fiscal year by making an additional 64,716 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas available. This is on top of the 66,000 normally available.

This move represents a change in strategy. Instead of waiting, the agencies announced the…

More Than Twice as Many H-2B Visas to be Available for Summer Season

By Jessica Feinstein & Brenda Oliver on April 4, 2022

Posted in Department of Labor, Department of State, H-2B, USCIS

As they did for last summer, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) will make available an additional 35,000 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for the second half of FY 2022. This more than doubles the usual 33,000 allocation or cap for the summer.

Of the new 35,000 visas,…

USCIS Temporarily Waives 60-Day Rule for Civil Surgeon Signatures

By Brenda Oliver on December 16, 2021

Posted in COVID-19, Permanent Residence, US Immigration, USCIS

Applicants for Adjustment of Status to Permanent Residence will have more than 60 days after completing their medical examinations to file their Forms I-485 Adjustment of Status applications, USCIS has announced.

Due to COVID-19-related delays, USCIS has temporarily waived the requirement that a civil surgeon sign the Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination…

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