Legal Updates for Immigration

Afghan Nationals in the U.S. Protected From Deportation With Grant of Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

May 20, 2022 The country of Afghanistan has been designated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), allowing Afghan nationals who were in the U.S. on the day this was announced to lawfully remain for 18 months.

USCIS Issues 2022 Poverty Guidelines: Raises Required Income Level for Family Sponsors of Immigrants

March 1, 2022. To overcome a possible finding that the immigrant is inadmissible as a likely public charge, the U.S. sponsor will need to show income and/or assets that exceed the annual Poverty Guidelines levels, which went up in 2022.

Options for National of Ukraine Seeking Asylum, TPS, or Other Protection in the United States

May 24, 2022 Ukrainians looking for protection from the Russian military invasion have some possibilities in the United States, but the matter is still in flux.

Medical Exam Reports (I-693) Temporarily Accepted by USCIS If Older Than 60 Days

December 9, 2021. USCIS temporarily lifts its requirement that the medical exams that adjustment of status applicants submit on Form I-693 contain a physician's signature that's no more than 60 days old.

USCIS Finally Agrees That Spouses of L-1 and E Visa Holders Can Work in the U.S. Without First Applying for a Work Permit (EAD)

November 10, 2021 Husbands and wives of L-1 intracompany transferees who come to the U.S. on L-2 visas will no longer need to submit an I-765 form and receive a work permit (EAD) card in order to accept U.S. employment.

Changes to List of H-2B Visa-Eligible Countries Announced by DHS

November 10, 2021. The H-2B visa allows foreign nationals to come to the United State to temporarily fill certain nonagricultural jobs, but only if they are from one of certain eligible countries; the list of which has recently been changed.

Most Asylum Applicants Need Not Bring Foreign Language Interpreter to Interview During COVID-19 Pandemic

September 23, 2020 New temporary rule requires asylum applicants to use a DHS foreign language interpreter instead of bringing their own, with exceptions for less commonly spoken languages.

What's in Trump's Executive Order Stopping Immigration to U.S. Because of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic?

April 22, 2020 A Trump order temporarily barring immigration to the U.S. due to the COVID-19 pandemic contains numerous exceptions.

Trump Expands Travel Ban, Blocking Immigrant Nationals of Burma (Myanmar), Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania

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 Health Insurance Requirement for Immigrant Visas Blocked Temporarily by Federal Judge

November 1, 2019 Federal judge blocks Trump's order to deny immigrant visas to entrants without an immediate source of health insurance in the United States.

Major Immigration Form Changes Underway: Be Careful What You Submit!

October 15, 2019 Many major USCIS forms are about to be updated, but there could be a gap in what's available.

New Guidelines Make Obtaining a U Visa as a Crime Victim in the U.S. Harder Than Ever

September 26, 2019. New USCIS procedures, backlogs, and various other factors make obtaining a U visa as a crime victim increasingly challenging.

Trump Asylum Bar Put on Hold by Federal Judge

November 19, 2018 A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration's asylum bar, which will remain in effect until December 19.

Policy of Approving U.S. Visas for Same-Sex Partners of Diplomats to Change Under Trump Administration

October 1, 2018 State Department announces policy change requiring that, in order to be eligible for a spousal, derivative A-1 and A-2 nonimmigrant visas or change of status, the couple must be legally married; same-sex partnerships will not be sufficient.

Trump Signs Executive Order on Family Separation at Southern U.S. Border

June 20, 2018 Trump Executive Order receives much fanfare as a supposed end to family separation policy for border entrants, but fails to change possibility for indefinite detention of families and leaves ample room to continue permitting children to be taken from their parents.