ImmigrationBlog Posts
Afghanistan Temporary Protected Status Application Instructions To Be IssuedThe Temporary Protected Status (TPS) grant for Afghanistan will go into effect on May 20, 2022, with publication of the notice in the Federal Register with instructions on how to apply for TPS and for Employment Authorization. In March 2022, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced that Afghanistan was added to the... Continue ReadingMay 20, 2022 |
U.S. Supreme Court Limits Federal Court Review in Deportation CaseFederal courts could not review the U.S. Attorney General’s decisions denying discretionary relief from removal – even in a case where the alien contends that the decision was based on a factual error, the U.S. Supreme Court has held, 5-4, affirming the opinion of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Patel v.... Continue ReadingMay 19, 2022 |
Restart of U.S.-Cuba Migration TalksThe Department of State (DOS) has reinstituted talks with Cuban representatives about how to support family reunification and safe, orderly migration from Cuba to the United States. Talks of this nature were instituted in 1984 and continued biannually from 1994 until 2018 when the talks were paused by the Trump Administration. The Biden Administration is... Continue ReadingMay 10, 2022 |
CDC Issues Further Updates to COVID-19 Guidance for Air Travelers to United StatesThere are further updates from the CDC for all air travelers. Now, most travelers will have to show a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 and contact information to board an airplane for the United States. As before, U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and those entering the United States... Continue ReadingMay 6, 2022 |
DHS Increases Automatic Extension of Work Authorizations for Certain IndividualsAs of May 4, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is increasing the automatic extension of work authorization from 180 days to 540 days for certain individuals. Currently, certain individuals with expiring employment authorization documents (EADs) can continue working for an additional 180 days as long as they have timely submitted for a replacement... Continue ReadingMay 4, 2022 |
CDC Updates COVID-19 Guidance for Air Travelers to United StatesOn April 14, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updated its post-arrival recommendations. Almost everyone (unless specifically exempted) who is at least 2 years old must have a negative COVID-19 test (tests include an antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification test) to board an airplane for the United States. Travelers fall into two... Continue ReadingMay 3, 2022 |
I-9 Flexibility Extended to End of October 2022I-9 flexibility is extended until October 31, 2022, due to continuing COVID-19 precautions. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) guidance remains the same and preparing for the possible end of the flexibility is still advised. Indeed, DHS stated, “[E]mployers are encouraged to begin, at their discretion, the in-person verification of identity and employment eligibility for... Continue ReadingApril 27, 2022 |
‘Uniting for Ukraine’ Program Will Provide Sponsorship Opportunities for UkrainiansStarting April 25, 2022, the “Uniting for Ukraine” program for Ukrainians seeking to enter the United States will allow Ukrainians who are sponsored by family members or non-governmental agencies to come to the United States and apply for a two-year humanitarian parole. While humanitarian parole does not offer a direct pathway to long-term residence in... Continue ReadingApril 22, 2022 |
Need to Navigate Regulatory Patchwork After Judge Strikes Down Federal COVID-19 Mask MandateWhen a district court judge in Florida lifted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) federal COVID-19 mask mandate on April 19, 2022, the Transportation Safety Administration stopped enforcing it. However, the judge’s ruling left it up to airlines and local transit agencies to decide how to respond. Many airlines immediately lifted the mandate... Continue ReadingApril 21, 2022 |
Jumpstart Bill Proposed for Green CardsThe Jumpstart Our Legal Immigration System Act (Jumpstart), introduced by Zoe Lofgren (D-Calf.) in the House of Representatives, if passed, could revolutionize the green card process. The legislation would recapture thousands of unused family- and employment-based visas and allow beneficiaries to expedite their processes by paying additional fees. The Jumpstart Act would help to eliminate... Continue ReadingApril 19, 2022 |