Insight, News, and Strategy on Immigration Matters Around the World
USCIS has issued a new policy guidance clarifying eligibility requirements for internationally recognized athletes (P-1A nonimmigrants). Effective immediately, the policy applies to P-1A petitions filed on or after March 26, 2021.
The policy explains some of the statutory definitions. For instance, a “major United States sports league” means one that has a distinguished…
Syrian Temporary Protected Status (TPS) has been extended until September 30, 2022. DHS announced that the 60-day registration and re-registration period for Syrian TPS and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) was to begin on March 19, 2021 and run until May 18, 2021. Only those who have been residing in the United States since March 19,…
The EB-5 Investor Visa was created by an act of Congress in 1993, and it has proved to be a critical driver in American job creation since its inception.
By some estimates, the program has brought in over $20.6 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) at no cost to the American taxpayer. The program…
Eligible Venezuelans in the United States may now apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) according to an announcement made this week by Alexajandro Mayorkas, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). TPS is granted to individuals who cannot return to their home countries safely. In the case of Venezuela, Secretary Mayorkas stated that the…
The ability of foreign students in F-1 status to participate in post-completion Optional Practical Training (“OPT”) in their fields of study is an important aspect of their education–an opportunity that draws many foreign students to U.S. colleges and universities. So when USCIS receipting delays were diminishing these opportunities, foreign students, universities, and advocacy groups reached…
In a surprising and welcome development to U.S. employers, USCIS today announced that employers filing E-3 visa petitions on behalf of Australian nationals will have the option of requesting premium processing when requesting a change or extension of status to E-3.
The E-3 visa for Australian professionals became law in 2005. Currently a maximum…
On March 1, 2021, USCIS will be returning to the 2008 version of the naturalization civics test. This change is a response to President Joe Biden’s Executive Order, “Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration System,” that directed a review of the naturalization process to eliminate barriers to the process. Individuals who file naturalization applications…
USCIS announced that on May 14, 2021, it will dispose of 10 years of records dated on or before December 31, 2010, from its Historic Records Report. Employers that use E-Verify have until May 14, 2021, to download case information they wish to retain.
This is not a new procedure, USCIS has been disposing…
On January 19, 2021, just before the end of his term, President Donald Trump issued a memorandum granting Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for certain Venezuelans for a period of eighteen months. DED is a humanitarian grant of protection for individuals who cannot return to their home country. DED beneficiaries are not subject to removal…
With the H-1B cap season about to begin, there is good news for computer programmers and those who employ them. USCIS announced the immediate rescission of a 2017 guidance memo that had raised questions about whether computer programmers qualified for H-1B specialty occupation visas. The 2017 guidance, issued in the wake of the Buy American,…
