The immigration field has seen several significant changes this year, many temporary and in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, others as a result of hard-fought litigation, others in reversal
ICE Announces Extension to I-9 Compliance Flexibility Regarding Physical Document Inspection Requirements
On Dec. 15, 2021, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) extended the flexibility previously afforded to the Form I-9 compliance rules regarding physical document inspection through April 30, 2022. ICE
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Biden Administration Restricts Travel From 8 African Countries Due to Omicron Variant
In response to the new Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus and in an effort to stop the spread, President Biden issued a new Proclamation Nov. 26, 2021, restricting travel
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Long Delays for Work Permits for L-2 and H-4 Spouses Are Over
Due to an immigration application backlog, which was worsened by the pandemic’s adverse effects on USCIS and the nearly four-month office closure of Application Support Centers (ASCs) and Field Offices,
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Biden Administration Lifts Travel Restrictions to Allow Vaccinated Travelers into United States
To advance the safe resumption of global travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, on Oct. 25 President Biden issued a Proclamation emphasizing the continued enhanced measures against the spread of the
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Biden Administration to Relax Travel Proclamations and Allow Vaccinated Travelers Into the United States
On Sept. 20, 2021, the Biden administration announced it would simultaneously relax travel restrictions for foreign nationals traveling from China, Iran, the Schengen Area, the U.K., Brazil, Ireland, South Africa,
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COVID-19 Vaccine Added To Requirements For Green Card Processing, Effective Oct. 1
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that, effective Oct. 1, the COVID-19 vaccine is included in the list of vaccines required for applicants to obtain permanent
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Immigration Changes and Considerations in a Nearing Post-COVID-19 World
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted immigration processes considerably over the past 18 months. Now that COVID-19 vaccines are broadly available and as people start to return to
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Department of State Issues Guidance Extending Validity of NIEs
On July 6, 2021, the Department of State issued guidance extending the validity of certain National Interest Exceptions (NIEs) granted to travelers through U.S. embassies and consulates abroad for those
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Preparing for the End of the Form I-9 Flexibility Provisions and the Return of Compliance Enforcement
DHS has extended its I-9 flexibility provisions repeatedly since March 2020, and recently extended them once again until August 31, 2021. However, employers should start planning now for how they
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