Over the past few weeks, there have been several immigration-related updates from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, USCIS, and other immigration-related agencies relevant to our clients. Below is a summary of these latest developments.

• End of Covid-19 Vaccine Requirement for International Air Travelers: On May 1, 2023, the Biden Administration announced that Covid-19 vaccination requirements for all international travelers (land or air) to the U.S. will end on May 11, 2023 by end of day. The U.S. Covid-19 Public Health Emergency is also scheduled to end on May 11, 2023. In addition, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has also announced that Covid-19 vaccination requirements for international travelers entering through border ports of entry will also end on May 11, 2023.
• FY 2024 Diversity Visa Lottery Announcement: On May 6, 2023, the U.S. State Department announced the winners of the Fiscal Year Diversity Lottery winners. Diversity Visa entrants must go to the official diversity visa website to check the status of their Diversity Visa entry application. Diversity Visa entrants selected on the lottery will be able to apply for U.S. permanent residence after October 1, 2023.
• DACA Recipient’s Proposed Health Insurance Rule: Under a newly proposed rule announced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on April 24, 2023, DACA recipients (commonly known as “Dreamers”) would become eligible for healthcare coverage, including Affordable Care Act Marketplaces, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. The proposed rule expands the definition of “lawfully present” in the U.S. to include DACA recipients for purposes of Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program, and other health insurance coverage programs. If finalized as proposed, it would allow 129,000 previously uninsured DACA recipients to receive health coverage in the U.S.

We will continue to monitor developments related to these immigration updates and provide additional information as soon as it is provided by the relevant immigration related government agencies.

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