Following his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025, President Trump issued a number of immigration-related Executive Orders (EOs) sure to have impact on employers and their business operations. So far, the focus in the media has been on border security, asylum, refugees, removal of undocumented aliens (deportation) and birthright citizenship. However, there are other aspects covered
Hong Kong Residents Protected By New Deferred Enforced Departure Directive
- Take measures to authorize employment authorization for the duration of the deferral; and
- Consider
Immigration Hurdles Ahead: What Employers Can Expect from the Second Trump Administration
President-Elect Donald Trump is promising sweeping changes to the U.S. immigration system, with a focus on ramping up enforcement and the removal of undocumented immigrants. We can look to his first term, along with his campaign platform, to anticipate upcoming immigration action.
We expect President Trump will take swift action in the following areas through…
DHS Announces Permanent Rule for 540-Day Automatic Extension of Work Authorization Renewals
- They timely filed an EAD renewal application
TPS for Lebanese Nationals Now Official Through May 27, 2026
In October, DHS announced that Lebanese nationals would be eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). On Nov. 27, 2024, that became official. TPS has been granted for 18 months, from Nov. 27, 2024, through May 27, 2026.
Individuals who are otherwise eligible must have been residing in the United States since Oct. 16, 2024, and…
DACA Case Update: Appeals Court’s Focus on Standing
Legal standing to sue is central to various state challenges to immigration policies. A party can only bring a lawsuit if they can demonstrate sufficient connection and harm from the challenged policy. The U.S. Supreme Court may soon address whether indirect economic harm is sufficient to confer standing, particularly in the context of the DACA…
How Employers Can Prepare for End of Bundled Processing of Work Authorizations for H and L Dependents
In January 2025, the settlement agreement that returned USCIS to its practice of “bundling” adjudication of extensions of stay and applications for employment authorization documents (EADs) for dependent spouses of H-1B and L-1 visa holders will expire. Without that bundling policy, some dependents and their employers could experience lengthy processing times and possible gaps in…
What Lebanese Nationals Currently in U.S. Should Know About TPS Designation, DED Option
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designated Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months due to the conditions in that country caused by the conflict across the Israeli-Lebanese border. The Oct. 17, 2024, designation will apply to otherwise eligible individuals who have continuously resided in the United States since Oct. 16, 2024.
Instructions…
TSA Proposes Moving REAL ID Compliance for Domestic Fliers to 2027
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has proposed delaying enforcement of the REAL ID requirement for passengers of domestic airlines to give travelers two more years to update to REAL ID-compliant identifications. The proposal is open for comments until Oct. 15, 2024.
The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress based on the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations.
DHS Announces Temporary Protected Status Extension, Redesignation of Somalia for 18 Months
The Department of Homeland Security announced that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalia will be extended and redesignated for 18 months from Sept. 18, 2024, to March 17, 2026.
The extension and redesignation respond in part to the continuing armed conflict that exposes those in Somalia to abuse, displacement, food insecurity, and disease. People in Somalia…