On Monday, June 7th, U.S. Vice President Harris held a bilateral meeting in Guatemala with their President Giammattei! They where discussing the conditions that are influencing the large out migration from their country and the region to the United States.
Vice President Harris announces the following to combat the problem:
On May 3rd, USCIS started a pilot program at the Nebraska Service Center to accept credit card payments using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, for U nonimmigrants filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. This pilot program will be limited to this location at this time.
Please view this USCIS News Alert for more details: USCIS Announces Pilot Program for Credit Card Payments Using Form G-1450 When Filing Form I-485
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The USCIS has announced that it has updated it Visitor procedure and policy to consider fully vaccinated persons! Individuals who are fully vaccinated will no longer have to wear a mask. The USCIS News Alert stated, “To be considered fully vaccinated, it must be at least two weeks after receiving a second dose in a two-dose series or at least two weeks after receiving a dose of a single-dose vaccine.”
Please view this USCIS News Alert for more details: USCIS Eases Visitor Restrictions for Fully Vaccinated Individuals
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The American Immigration Council (AIC) has released all fifty states and the District of Columbia, for a total of fifty-one updated state-by-state fact sheets highlighting immigration data and facts. These fact sheets highlight the demographic and economic impact of Immigrants in each state.
With national immigration policy being discussed, we thought that it would be a good time to provide some statistics on the Immigrant population in the United States as provided by this AIC research. Once a week we will be posting a blog with information on three states at a time. This week we will highlight; Nebraska, Nevada and New Hampshire!
The AIC has compiled research which shows that Immigrants are an essential part of each of these states’ economy, labor force and tax base. As our economy continues to grow, Immigrants and their children are a growing economic and political force as consumers, taxpayers and entrepreneurs. As United States economic continues to grow, immigrants and their children will continue to play a key role in shaping the economic and political future of each of these states.
On Tuesday May 11th, USCIS announced that clients with scheduled biometric services appointments can now call the USCIS Contact Center (800-375-5283) to reschedule their biometric services appointment with the USCIS Application Support Center if needed. You must call before your scheduled appointment and show good cause for rescheduling!
Please view this USCIS News Alert for more details: Rescheduling Biometric Services Appointments by Phone
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USCIS has published a notice in the Federal Register that as of May 11, 2021 they are withdrawing the proposed rule published May 29, 2018. The 2018 Trump Administration change removed the International Entrepreneur Parole Program, this action will restore it!
Background:
Under the International Entrepreneur Rule (IER), DHS may use its parole authority to grant a period of authorized stay, on a case-by-case basis, to foreign entrepreneurs who demonstrate that their stay in the United States would provide a significant public benefit through their business venture and that they merit a favorable exercise of discretion.
As of May 17th, USCIS will suspend biometrics requirements for certain Form I-539 applicants. This suspension will apply to certain H-4, L-2, E-1, E-2, and E-3 categories. This change was caused by a declaration submitted to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington for the case Edkunni v. Mayorkas. Edkunni is an active class-action lawsuit filed by AILA and Wasden Banias, LLP!
The case is Edakunni v. Mayorkas, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, No. 2:21-cv-393.
Please view this Reuters News Article for more details: USCIS will suspend Trump-era biometric screening rule for work-permit applicants
On Wednesday, April 26th, President Biden addressed a joint session of Congress for the first time, marking the first 100 days in office. He listed his achievements, such as his administration’s Covid Vaccination Program. He also talked about many of his goals for the future of our country, including immigration!
Below is an excerpt from President Biden’s speech that deals with Immigration:
“Immigration has always been essential to America. Let’s end our exhausting war over immigration.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published a Request for Public Input in the Federal Register, “Identifying Barriers Across U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Benefits and Services; Request for Public Input”. This notice is looking for comments from the public on how to reduce barriers and obtain full access to all legal immigration services available from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
*The public may submit comments, identified by docket number USCIS-2021-0004, through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Please follow the instructions for submitting comments. All written comments are requested on or before May 19. Comments submitted in a manner other than the one listed in the Federal Register, including e-mails or letters sent to DHS or USCIS officials, may not be reviewed. *USCIS
Please view this USCIS News Release for more details: DHS Seeks Public Input to Identify Barriers that Limit or Prevent Access to Immigration Benefits and Services
The Biden Administration has proposed adding up to 100 new immigration judges to their Immigration Courts. This part of the overall national budget proposal would allocate millions more in funding to help clear up the immigration legal backlogs, which include hearings and asylum requests.
Please view this Nevada Current News Article for more details: Up to 100 new immigration judges would be added under budget request
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H1B Visa Lawyer Blog