Blog — Nadia Yakoob & Associates

I-9 Remote Verification Option Extended and I-765 Approval Notice for I-9 Compliance

With employers and employees continuing to take physical distancing precautions in response to COVID-19, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) has again extended the ability of employers to remotely verify a new employee’s identify and employment authorization documents for Form I-9 purposes through September 19, 2020, so long as the employer continues to have its employees working remotely.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that due to the production delay of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), new hires or current employees may present the approval notice for the Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, in lieu of the EAD card for purposes of showing authorization to work until December 1, 2020.

ICENadia YakoobAugust 20, 2020I-9, Remote Verification of Form I-9 extension

USCIS Selecting Additional H-1B Registrations from this Year's Lottery

USCIS started selecting additional H-1B lottery registrations this week from the registrations that were not selected in March 2020. The newly selected registrations have notices that say “August 2020 Selection of Reserve Registration” and indicate a filing period of 8/17/2020 – 11/16/2020.

USCISNadia YakoobAugust 14, 2020H-1B Visa lottery, H-1B news, Filing Fee Increase

USCIS Increases Filing Fees

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it will increase most of its government filing fees effective October 2, 2020, due to budgetary shortfalls. It also will change the premium processing time from 15 calendar days to 15 business days. Finally, it will issue new versions of Form I-129 and Form I-765 in the next 30 days, which also will take effect on October 2, 2020.

President Trump Revokes Hong Kong’s “Special Status”

In response to certain recent actions taken by China to reduce Hong Kong’s autonomy, President Trump issued an Executive Order last week, stating that Hong Kong would no longer be treated as separate from the People’s Republic of China (“China”) for purposes of certain US laws.

U.S. Land Borders Remain Closed to Non-Essential Travel

The Department of Homeland Security has announced that it will continue to limit “non-essential travel” at its land borders with both Canada and Mexico for an additional 30 days through August 20, 2020. Travel for recreation or tourism is considered “non-essential.” Essential services related to the movement of food, fuel, healthcare and life-saving medicines will continue.

Travel, DHSNadia YakoobJuly 23, 2020non-essential travel, usmexicoborder, COVID-19

DHS Extends Option for Remote Verification of Form I-9 to August 19, 2020

With employers and employees continuing to take physical distancing precautions in response to COVID-19, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) has again extended the ability of employers to remotely verify a new employee’s identify and employment authorization documents for Form I-9 purposes through August 19, 2020, provided the employer continues to have its employees working remotely.

DHSNadia YakoobJuly 22, 2020I-9, Remote Verification of Form I-9 extension

August 2020 Visa Bulletin Released

The Department of State (DOS) has issued its August 2020 Visa Bulletin. We will now be covering both employment-based and family-based priority dates as detailed below.

Visa BulletinNadia YakoobJuly 21, 2020visabulletin, visa bulletin, august visa bulletin, August 2020

Gradual Reopening of US Consulates for Visa Services Announced

The Department of State (DOS) has announced that U.S. Embassies and Consulates will begin a phased resumption of routine visa services, which have been suspended since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When, where and how remains unclear.

President Trump Temporarily Suspends Admission of Foreign National Workers

President Trump just released a Proclamation, suspending the admission of foreign national workers on H-1B, H-2B, J and L visas and their accompanying dependents through December 31, 2020, in response to high U.S. unemployment. The Proclamation also extends the suspension of immigrant visas further to his April 22 Proclamation through the end of 2020. This Proclamation will take effect on Wednesday, June 24, 2020.

U.S. Land Borders Remain Closed to Non-Essential Travel

The Department of Homeland Security has announced that it will continue to limit “non-essential travel” at its land borders with both Canada and Mexico for an additional 30 days until July 21, 2020. Travel for recreation or tourism is considered “non-essential.” Essential services related to the movement of food, fuel, healthcare and life-saving medicines will continue.

DHS, TravelNadia YakoobJune 19, 2020Borders remained closed, non-essential travel, uscanadaborder