As of January 31, 2022, spouses entering the United States in L-2 or E status may be able to obtain work authorization at the border by asking Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to give them a “spousal” designation in their I-94 record. Because USCIS has not issued “official” guidance on this yet, requesting the designation
White House, State Department Announcements on Travel Restrictions, Visa Interviews, and More
By Forrest G. Read IV on
Posted in Biden Administration, Citizenship, COVID-19, Department of State, ESTA, H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, H-4, L-1A / L-1B, L-2, O-1, P-1, Travel (General), US Immigration, USCIS, Visa Waiver Program
As 2021 comes to an end, the White House and the Department of State have announced:
- South African Travel Restrictions Lifted.
The 14-day travel restrictions on southern African countries will be lifted as of midnight on December 31, 2021. Adopted on November 29th, the restrictions based on spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant…
ICE: I-9 Flexibility to Continue Through April 2022
By Michael H. Neifach & Amy L. Peck on
Posted in COVID-19, E-1 / E-2, EADs, H-4, I-9 and E-Verify, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), L-2
ICE has announced it will extend I-9 flexibility until April 30, 2022, due to continuing precautions related to COVID-19.
The guidance remains the same:
- Employees who work exclusively in a remote setting due to COVID-19 continue to be temporarily exempt from the in-person requirements associated with Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, until they start working
…
Illinois Adds Protection for Dreamers, Other Non-U.S. Citizens to State’s Human Rights Act
By Amy L. Peck on
Illinois has amended the Illinois Human Rights Act to make “work authorization status” a protected category.
The amendment, Public Act 102-0233, became effective immediately upon the governor’s signing in early-August.
Under the amendment, “work authorization status” is defined as the status of a person born outside of the United States, and not a U.S.…
Update on Suit Over Government Delays in Adjudicating Approval of H-4, L-2 Visa Extensions
In Washington federal court, H-4 and L-2 spouses are continuing their fight to end the delays in approving visa extensions and work authorization – some of which are taking over a year to adjudicate. The plaintiffs in Edakunni v. Mayorkas are asking the court to decide whether this constitutes an unreasonable delay.
The plaintiffs contend…
USCIS to Suspend Biometrics Requirements for Certain Visa Applications
By Yuchen Zhang on
Posted in Biden Administration, COVID-19, E-1 / E-2, E-3, EADs, H-4, Immigration Litigation, L-2, TPS, USCIS
USCIS expects to suspend biometrics requirements for H-4, L-2 and E-1, E-2, and E-3 Form I-539 applications beginning May 17, 2021, for at least 24 months. It will retain the discretion to require biometrics on a case-by-case basis.
The suspension is intended to eliminate the adjudication backlog that has prevented H-4 and L-2 spouses from…