Starting on Aug. 1, 2024, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is simplifying its regulations regarding the entry of dogs into the United States. CBP still wants to be sure that rabies does not “enter” the United States...more
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has changed its policy manual to make it easier to find and understand all the regulations regarding nonimmigrant students in F and M status. The new guidance consolidates...more
With migrant “encounters” at the southern border much in the news, the Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Swanton Sector along the northern border has recorded encounters increasing at a rate never seen before....more
Now, Mexicans applying for TN status are eligible for four-year visas by paying a larger fee. This option allows Mexicans to avoid the hassles associated with having a three-year TN visa approval but only a one-year visa....more
When 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...more
In the past, the O-1 visa was how many foreign musicians and other artists were able to tour and work in the United States. Now, for many reasons, they may have to consider other strategies.
The O-1 visa category is for...more
Based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) updated guidance, USCIS is opening its doors to “unmasked,” “fully vaccinated” people.
According to USCIS’ new visitor policy:
Fully vaccinated people...more
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it is experiencing delays in issuing receipt notices for some applications and petitions filed at USCIS lockboxes that are located in Chicago, Illinois,...more
The current administration’s course on immigration ushered in heightened standards for obtaining immigration benefits, restructuring visa allocations through executive orders and renewed and continues to emphasize immigration...more
10/22/2020
/ Department of Labor (DOL) ,
Employee Benefits ,
Executive Orders ,
Foreign Workers ,
Green Cards ,
H-1B ,
Highly-Skilled Workers Visa ,
Hiring & Firing ,
Immigration Enforcement ,
New Rules ,
Prevailing Wages ,
Specialty Occupations ,
Trump Administration ,
USCIS ,
Visas ,
Wage and Hour
On May 11, 2020, the IRS issued guidance about how to return an Economic Impact Payment (EIP), also known as a COVID-19 stimulus payment. Ineligible individuals who receive EIPs are required to return them.
Resident and...more
Some registrants and their attorneys are complaining that some H-1B registrations submitted under the new, electronic process were denied as duplicates were not duplicates at all.
When the Department of Homeland Security...more
According to Chinese government data, the number of Chinese students studying in the United States rose from fewer than 1 million in 2000 to more than 6 million in 2017. The number of these students who are returning home to...more
The Department of Homeland Security has announced plans to transfer more than 700 border agents from the 120 ports of entry at the Northern (Canadian) border to the Southern (Mexican) border. The purpose is to bolster the...more
DHS has made the first move to rescind the H-4 EAD Rule: sending the proposed rule to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review.
The H-4 EAD Rule provides work authorization for spouses of certain H-1B workers...more
The IRS is reminding taxpayers to pay their taxes or face possible loss of their U.S. passports.
In partnership with the IRS, the Department of State (DOS) may deny passport applications, renewals, or even revoke passports...more
USCIS and CPB at the Blaine, Washington, Port of Entry (POE) have formally announced that from April 30, 2018, until October 31, 2018, the agencies jointly will implement a pilot program for Canadian citizens seeking entry in...more
According to CBP personnel, a pilot program is being developed that would eliminate “instant” border adjudications of L-1 NAFTA applications. The pilot program is expected to be introduced at the Blaine, Washington port of...more
Congress reached agreement and voted to end the government shutdown at least until February 8, 2018.
In case another impasse occurs, this is how a federal government shutdown would affect immigration....more
The Trump Administration rule delaying the International Entrepreneur Rule (IER) until March 14, 2018, had been implemented without following the necessary Administrative Procedures Act (APA) Notice and Comment Period...more
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is deploying staff and equipment for search and rescue efforts and to work at local, state, and federal emergency operations centers in Texas in response to Hurricane...more
No personal electronic devices (PEDs) larger than a cellphone or smartphone, such as a laptop computer or e-reader, can be carried into the cabin of airplanes flying directly to the U.S. from 10 airports in the Middle East,...more