May 14, 2020 Two new rules allow employers greater flexibility in hiring H-2A and H-2B workers in connection with the U.S. agricultural and food industries.
May 11, 2020 Coronavirus-related challenges in proving one's legal status while USCIS is delayed in making a decision on an I-751 or I-829.
State Department Delays Opening Status Check System for Diversity Visas Lottery Applicants
April 27, 2020 Department of State tied up with COVID-19 related matters, postpones opening of Entrant Status Check system for diversity visa lottery applicants.
April 22, 2020 A Trump order temporarily barring immigration to the U.S. due to the COVID-19 pandemic contains numerous exceptions.
In Light of COVID-19 Office Closures, USCIS Can Approve Adjustment of Status Without an Interview
April 16, 2020 USCIS appears to be granting permanent residence to some applicants without requiring the usual adjustment of status interview, to overcome the problem of USCIS office closures due to coronavirus pandemic.
Now, During COVID-19, Is Not the Time to Get a U.S. Passport, Unless You Can Prove an Emergency Need
March 27, 2020 U.S. State Department (DOS) is scaling back operations at its Regional Passport Agencies and acceptance facilities.
May 1, 2020 Applicants and petitioners responding to requests for evidence (RFEs) and notices of intent to deny (NOIDs) from USCIS might have more time.
Non-Citizens and Others Lacking REAL-ID Cards Now Have Until 2021 to Get One
March 27, 2020 Due to office closures in response to the coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic, the deadline to obtain REAL IDs has been pushed ahead one year, from October 1, 2020 to October 1, 2021.
March 18, 2020 Don't plan to visit a consulate or USCIS office, or attend a naturalization interview or ceremony, asylum interview, or other appointment until further notice, owing to coronavirus outbreak and response.
Ban Imposed on Travelers From Europe Due to Coronavirus Threat
March 13, 2020 Ban imposed on travel to U.S. from regions of Europe, owing to coronavirus threat.
Trump Expands Ban on Entry Due to Coronavirus to U.S. to Travelers From Iran
March 2, 2020 Trump issues new proclamation that suspends and limits U.S. entry by travelers holding immigrant or nonimmigrant visas if they were physically present in the Islamic Republic of Iran during 14-day period before requesting entry, owing to coronavirus spread.
USCIS Issues 2020 Poverty Guidelines: Raises Required Income Level for Family Sponsors of Immigrants
March 1, 2020 A U.S. sponsor filling out Form I-864 must prove that his or her income or assets are high enough to support the intending immigrants; and the 2020 guidelines require higher than ever support levels.
Trump Administration Announces New Denaturalization Task Force
February 26, 2020 New DOJ unit will investigate and start court proceedings against naturalized U.S. citizens whose status might have been gained based on lies or misrepresentation.
Expect Immigration Lawyers' Fees to Go Up Due to New U.S. Public Charge Forms and Requirements
February 25, 2020 As if the U.S. government's recently revised "public charge" regulations weren't already making it difficult enough for ordinary immigrant visa applicants to prove they have the financial means to survive in the U.S. without public assistance, the application process is about to get costlier for anyone using a lawyer.
With New Public Charge Rule Come New and Revised USCIS Forms
February 24, 2020 USCIS creates new forms for visa and green card applicants to fill out and revises a number of other forms, per new public charge inadmissibility rules.
Green Card Applicants Living in the U.S. Must Now Provide Credit Score
February 24, 2020 Trump Administration's latest rules on how being a likely "public charge" makes someone inadmissible to the U.S. and ineligible for a green card makes having a good credit history relevant for intending immigrants.
Supreme Court Allows New “Public Charge” Rule
February 24, 2020 United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin implementing the new and more restrictive rule as to which immigrant visa applicants are inadmissibility as likely to become a public charge.
Applicants for U.S. Visas Must Now Fill Out Public Charge Questionnaire
February 24, 2020. Along with issuing new public charge rules, Department of State requires all immigrant visa applicants and possibly some nonimmigrant visa applicants to fill out Form DS-5540 Public Charge Questionnaire.
Temporary Ban and Quarantine Affects Travel to the U.S. From China, Due to Coronavirus
February 2, 2020 Trump proclamation temporarily suspends travel from China and imposes quarantines.
U.S. Citizens May No Longer File I-130 Petitions While Living Abroad
February 1, 2020 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announces regardless of whether the U.S. petitioner lives abroad, Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, can only be submitted to USCIS in the U.S. or to the Department of State in exigent circumstances, but no longer with an overseas USCIS office.
January 31, 2020 Trump issues proclamation stopping U.S. consulates from issuing immigrant visas for U.S. entry to nationals, and reducing participation in diversity visa lottery.
New Restrictions Affect Pregnant Travelers to the U.S., to Deter "Birth Tourism"
January 24, 2020 U.S. State Department (DOS) issues major amendment to its regulations, restricting the ability of pregnant women to travel to the United States on B-2 tourist visas.
Somalians With TPS Can Stay Into 2021, But U.S.'s Refusal to Redesignate Means No New Applicants
January 17, 2020 Trump Administration announces that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) will be extended for Somalians in the United States through September 17, 2021.
TPS for Yemen Extended Through September 3, 2021
January 3, 2020 Trump administration extends Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Yemen for another 18 months, taking it through September 3, 2021.