Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the U.S. government has been implementing several humanitarian programs to support Ukrainians displaced by the conflict. Most recently, President Biden announced Uniting for Ukraine, a new immigration program that allows individuals in the United States to sponsor Ukrainian citizens who have been displaced by the Russian invasion to come to the United States on humanitarian parole.
Read MoreThe Department of State (DOS) has issued its June 2022 Visa Bulletin. The most important takeaways for June are that the priority date for EB-2 India moves forward by one year while EB-2 China, EB-3 India, and EB-3 China will stay the same as May. Priority dates for all family-based petitions remain largely the same, except for nationals of Mexico, who will move forward in the F-1, F-2B, and F-4 categories.
Read MoreIn an effort to deal with extensive delays in processing applications for work authorization (Form I-765), the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) has increased the automatic extension of work authorization for certain renewal applications from 180 days to 540 days effective May 4, 2022. DHS also has expanded the types of applications that qualify for the automatic 540-day extension.
Read MoreU.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) has extended the ability of employers to remotely verify the identity and employment authorization documents of new hires who will work off-site due to COVID-19 related precautions. The option to remotely verify documents for Form I-9 purposes has been extended through October 31, 2022.
Read MoreUSCIS has announced that they will no longer issue combination employment authorization and travel cards to applicants for permanent residence. Instead, USCIS will issue two separate documents: 1) a regular employment authorization document (“EAD”); and 2) an Advance Parole document.
Read MoreDue to ongoing armed conflict in Cameroon, the Department of Homeland Security announced this week that nationals of Cameroon currently in the United States may apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) so that they can stay in the United States for the next 18 months.
Read MoreThe Department of State (DOS) has issued its May 2022 Visa Bulletin. The most important takeaways for May are that priority dates will stay the same for EB-3 India and China and EB-2 China while EB-2 India moves forward by almost seven weeks. However, the EB-2 priority date for filing for Indian nationals will jump forward three months to December 1, 2014. Priority dates for all family-based petitions remain largely the same.
Read MoreEffective May 1, 2022, employers will no longer be allowed to accept expired List B documents for verifying employment authorization on the Form I-9, bringing an end to a temporary policy adopted by the Department of Homeland Security during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read MoreStarting April 1, 2022, USCIS will mail notices to dependent spouses of E and L visa holders, confirming their authorization to work. These notices will be sent to spouses with unexpired Form I-94s that were issued before January 30, 2022. The notice along with the unexpired Form I-94 and valid passport can be used to show authorization to work for Form I-9 purposes.
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