Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Liberians, a humanitarian relief program similar to TPS (Temporary Protected Status), will terminate on March 31, 2019 according to a formal memo released by President Donald Trump. Liberian DED was set to expire on March 31, 2018. President Trump announced that there will be twelve-month wind down period to ease
Trump Administration
New USCIS Guidance Clarifies Requirements for H-1B Petitions Involving Third-Party Worksites
By Otieno B. Ombok on
Further to President Donald Trump’s Buy American and Hire American executive order, which directs the DHS to protect the interests of U.S. workers and make sure that there is no fraud, abuse, or circumvention of the laws, USCIS has issued a new policy memorandum, “Contracts and Itineraries Requirements for H-1B Petitions Involving Third-Party Worksites.”
The…
What’s In and What’s Out of the Omnibus Spending Bill
By Jessica Feinstein on
The omnibus spending bill has been passed and signed by President Donald Trump in time to avoid a government shutdown. From an immigration perspective, here is what is “in” and what is “out” for the rest of the 2018 fiscal year.
In:
- $1.6 billion in funding for southern border fencing (but not the $25
…
Travel Ban 3.0 Updated: DOS Waiver Process
By Jessica K. Lang on
Posted in Travel Ban, Trump Administration
News outlet Reuters has reported that during the first month of Travel Ban 3.0, 8,400 individuals from Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, and Venezuela applied for visas, while only an estimated 100 waivers were granted.
Individuals from Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, and Venezuela are affected by Travel…
U.S. Cracks Down on Birth Tourism Industry
By Jackson Lewis P.C. on
Posted in Trump Administration
Travelling to another country for medical procedures, or medical tourism, is a growth industry both as an export and an import. U.S. citizens may travel for medical treatments that are less expensive and patients with means come to the U.S. for high-quality services that may not be available abroad. Paying full cost for the services …
Update on H-4 EAD Rule Rescission
By Forrest G. Read IV on
Posted in H-4, Trump Administration
Following up on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit Order of February 21, 2018, DHS has requested still more time to review the H-4 EAD Rule. In a status report filed on February 28, 2018, just a week after the Court’s Order granting DHS’ request to continue to hold the case…
USCIS Revises Its Mission Statement
By Jackson Lewis P.C. on
Posted in Trump Administration, USCIS
The new USCIS mission statement, issued on February 22, 2018, by Director L. Francis Cissna, no longer emphasizes customer satisfaction, i.e., the satisfaction of petitioners and beneficiaries. Instead, it focuses on serving the American people and making sure that benefits are not provided to those who do not qualify or those who “would do…
Travel Ban Case at the U.S. Supreme Court, But DACA Will Wait
By John Quinn on
The Supreme Court is now in the middle of two high-profile immigration cases: Travel Ban 3.0 and the DACA rescission.
The Court let President Donald Trump’s travel ban go in effect while litigation challenging the ban is pending, but the Court did nothing to overturn lower court rulings that have effectively stopped the President’s rescission…
Rescission of Rule Allowing for H-4-Based Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) Expected
By Forrest G. Read IV on
Posted in H-4, Trump Administration
The DOJ and the DHS have made clear on numerous occasions that they intend to rescind employment authorization documents (EADs) for H-4 visa status holders and it appears that rescission may be just around the corner. Family members of an H-1B worker are admitted in the H-4 category.
According to DHS pleadings in the U.S.…
NAACP Suit: Ending Temporary Protected Status for Haiti Is Discriminatory
By Jackson Lewis P.C. on
Posted in TPS, Trump Administration
The NAACP has filed a suit in federal district court in Maryland alleging that ending Temporary Protected Status for Haiti was racially discriminatory and part of a plan to reduce immigrants of color to the U.S. (Nat’l Ass’n for the Advancement of Colored People v. Dep’t of Homeland Sec., D. Md., No. 1:18-cv-00239,…