Nonimmigrant spouses of H-1B and L-1 visa holders with long-pending EAD applications have finally received some relief. Based upon a settlement in Shergill v. Mayokas, USCIS is making major policy changes. Going forward, certain H-4 spouses with pending EAD applications will be entitled to 180-day automatic extensions of their EAD cards and L-2
Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Proposed DACA Rule from DHS Seeks to Codify Program
Efforts to pass “Dreamers” bills that would provide a pathway to citizenship for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients have remained stagnant. In an effort to stabilize the DACA program, absent congressional action, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published a proposed federal regulation announcing its intent to codify the DACA program.
The…
Nov. 8 Marks Lifting of Some U.S. COVID-19 International Travel Restrictions
As of 12:01 a.m. ET on November 8, 2021, the United States’ country-specific 14-day COVID-19 travel restrictions that have been so troublesome and disruptive for individuals and businesses will be eliminated. Instead, protecting the country from COVID-19 will focus on vaccination status.
President Joe Biden’s “A Proclamation on Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global…
COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Set to Relax for Fully Vaccinated
As long as they can show that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, foreign travelers will be allowed to visit the United States beginning November 8, 2021, according to the Biden Administration.
Until now, we knew only that the 14-day travel restrictions and the northern and southern border restrictions would be lifted sometime in November.…
United States to Open Borders with Canada and Mexico for Vaccinated Nationals Beginning November
The United States will open its northern and southern land borders to fully vaccinated foreign nationals sometime in November 2021. When this happens, it will be the first time since March 2020 that these individuals will be able to enter the United States from Canada and Mexico for “non-essential” purposes, such as tourism, shopping, and…
DHS Secretary Orders Discontinuation of Mass Worksite Enforcement Operations
Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Alejandro N. Mayorkas has issued a policy directive to immediately discontinue mass worksite enforcement operations.
These involve large-scale law enforcement operations resulting in the arrest of hundreds of unauthorized workers. They were a significant part of the Trump Administration’s worksite enforcement strategy.
Secretary Mayorkas criticized these large-scale…
Croatia to Join Visa Waiver Program
Croatia will be the 40th country to join the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This announcement was made by Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas in coordination with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken.
No later than December 1, 2021, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which is the portal for the…
Administration Releasing New COVID-19 International Travel Policies for Individuals Flying Into U.S.
While not all the details are available, the Biden Administration is releasing more information about the lifting of the 14-day travel restrictions.
Here is what is known so far:
- The 14-day travel restrictions on China, Iran, the UK and Ireland, the 26 Schengen Zone countries, Brazil, South Africa and India are scheduled to be
…
What Happens to the Immigration Agencies When the Government Shuts Down?
The country dodged a government shutdown at the end of September, but we may be faced with the same problem on December 3, 2021, when Congress will again have to fund the government. Because we often come close to a shutdown (and sometimes shutdowns happen), it is important to remember how a shutdown affects the…
Some Travel Restrictions to Relax for Fully Vaccinated in November, Administration Announces
As President Joe Biden travelled to a meeting of the United National General Assembly, the Administration announced that, in early November, COVID-19 travel restrictions would be relaxed for fully vaccinated travelers from all the previously restricted countries: the UK and Ireland, the 26 Schengen Zone countries, Brazil, China, India, Iran, and South Africa.
The details…