On December 31, 2020, the President signed a Presidential Proclamation on Suspension of Entry of Immigrants and Nonimmigrants Who Continue to Present a Risk to the United States Labor Market. This proclamation extends Presidential Proclamations (P.P.) 10014 and 10052 through March 31, 2021. P.P. 10014 suspends the entry to the United States of certain immigrant
Permanent Residence
Immigrant Visa Processing Changes – EB1 and EB3 advance rapidly; all other employment and fmily categories advance moderately; Coronavirus/DOS Closures cause uncertainty and unpredictability; Visa Office on Priority Dates, Demand, and Predictions
In our continuing series of reports, Charles (“Charlie”) Oppenheim, Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division, U.S. Department of State, shares his most recent analysis of current trends and future projections for the various immigrant preference categories with AILA (the American Immigration Lawyers’ Association).
Below are highlights from the most recent “check-in with Charlie”…
Immigrant Visa Processing Changes – EB1 and EB5 remain current with slight movement in EB3 and EB-2; Coronavirus/DOS Closures cause uncertainty and unpredictability; Visa Office on Priority Dates, Demand, and Predictions
In our continuing series of reports, Charles (“Charlie”) Oppenheim, Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division, U.S. Department of State, shares his most recent analysis of current trends and future projections for the various immigrant preference categories with AILA (the American Immigration Lawyers’ Association).
Below are highlights from the most recent “check-in with Charlie”…
Trump’s Executive Order Suspends Nonimmigrant visas, including H-1B, L-1 and J-1, for the rest of the year
Yesterday, June 22, 2020, President Trump issued the anticipated Proclamation suspending the entry into the US of certain nonimmigrant visa holders. Specifically, the following new restrictions are in effect 6/24/2020:
- The executive order applies to foreign nationals who seek to enter the United States in H1B, H-4, H2B, L-1, or L-2 status (as well as
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Premium Processing Resumes: June 2020 Phase-In Dates
By Catherine V. Wadhwani on
Posted in COVID-19, General Immigration News and Updates, H-1B Temporary Workers, Immigrant Visas, Intracompany Transferees (L-1 and Permanent Residence), Investors, Traders and Entrepreneurs (E visas and Permanent Residence), J-1 Waiver, Non-Immigrant Visas (other than Es, Ls and H-1B), Permanent Residence, Startup Companies
On Friday, May 29, 2020, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced plans for the phased-in resumption of premium processing for eligible I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker petitions and eligible I-129 Nonimmigrant Worker petitions. (See USCIS website at https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-resumes-premium-processing-certain-petitions.)
USCIS temporarily suspended premium processing availability for all eligible Form I-129 and I-140 petitions…
COVID-19/Coronavirus Pandemic: USCIS extends field office closure until June 4
By Alka Bahal on
On March 18, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services temporarily suspended in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers (ASCs) to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). This closure was scheduled through May 3. Today, April 24, 2020, USCIS is announced that it will reopen on or after June 4. Employees
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COVID-19/Coronavirus Pandemic: Summary of Presidential Proclamation Suspending Entry of Immigrants
By Alka Bahal on
Posted in General Immigration News and Updates, H-1B Temporary Workers, Immigrant Visas, Intracompany Transferees (L-1 and Permanent Residence), Investors, Traders and Entrepreneurs (E visas and Permanent Residence), Non-Immigrant Visas (other than Es, Ls and H-1B), PERM Labor Certification, Permanent Residence
On April 22, 2020, President Trump issued a proclamation suspending the entry of any individual seeking to enter the United States as an immigrant who:
- Is outside the United States on the effective date of the proclamation;
- Does not have a valid immigrant visa as of April 23, 2020; and
- Does not have a valid
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Immigrant Visa Processing Changes – slight movement in EB3 and EB-2; Coronavirus/DOS Closures cause uncertainty and unpredictability; Visa Office on Priority Dates, Demand, and Predictions
In our continuing series of reports, Charles (“Charlie”) Oppenheim, Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division, U.S. Department of State, shares his most recent analysis of current trends and future projections for the various immigrant preference categories with AILA (the American Immigration Lawyers’ Association).
Below are highlights from the most recent “check-in with Charlie”…
USCIS Extends Closure to the Public until May 3, 2020
On March 18, USCIS extended the suspension of all routine face-to-face services with applicants at all of its offices through May 3, to protect its workforce and to help mitigate the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in our communities. USCIS offices plan to re-open on May 4, unless the public closures are extended further.
This includes…
Immigration Agencies Response to the COVID-19/Coronavirus Pandemic
By Alka Bahal on
Posted in Employment Verification Compliance (including I-9s, E-Verify, and Enforcement), General Immigration News and Updates, H-1B Temporary Workers, Immigrant Visas, Intracompany Transferees (L-1 and Permanent Residence), Investors, Traders and Entrepreneurs (E visas and Permanent Residence), Non-Immigrant Visas (other than Es, Ls and H-1B), Permanent Residence
In an effort to allay concerns and to enable our clients to adjust plans relevant to nonimmigrant or immigrant visa status in light of the current unprecedented situation, we are providing you with this update regarding current operations of relevant government agencies and any special notifications, dispensations or waivers granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. …