by Frank Alvarado | Mar 22, 2021 | Immigration Updates, Nonimmigrant Visas, Permanent Immigration Visas
On March 18, 2021, two bills that would create a legalization pathway for “Dreamers” and for farmworkers (H-2A temporary agricultural workers) received bipartisan support and passed in the House of Representatives. Passage in the Senate is uncertain,...
by Frank Alvarado | Mar 10, 2021 | Global
A change in legislation, published in the Belgian Official Journal on January 26, 2020, and effective January 27, 2021, is having substantial consequences for EU/Schengen travel to Belgium. Between January 27, 2021, and March 1, 2021, all non-essential travel was...
by Frank Alvarado | Mar 10, 2021 | Human Resources Services
E-Verify is available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. However, it is not required in all states. Many states have passed their own laws mandating E-Verify in...
by Frank Alvarado | Mar 4, 2021 | Naturalization
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on February 22, 2021, that it is reverting to the 2008 version of the naturalization civics test beginning March 1, 2021. USCIS said it determined that the “development process, content, testing...
by Frank Alvarado | Mar 2, 2021 | Permanent Immigration Visas
The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for March 2021 shows a seven-month leap forward for Chinese and Indian green card applicants in the employment-based first preference category, with a final action date of August 1, 2020, for both countries. In February,...
by Frank Alvarado | Mar 2, 2021 | Consular Services & Travel, Immigration Updates
On February 24, 2021, President Biden revoked former President Trump’s proclamation issued in April 2020 that banned many immigrants from entering the United States. Biden Proclamation Revoking Immigrant Ban President Biden’s proclamation states that the...
by Frank Alvarado | Mar 2, 2021 | Consular Services & Travel, Immigration Updates
On February 24, 2021, President Biden revoked former President Trump’s proclamation issued in April 2020 that banned many immigrants from entering the United States. Biden Proclamation Revoking Immigrant Ban President Biden’s proclamation states that the...
by kbogucki@longviewstrategies.com | Feb 26, 2021 | Immigration Updates
Human resources professionals have their hands full managing the needs of their workforce, including helping employees through the work visa process. Foreign talent is a critical component for U.S. companies, especially those driving innovation in sectors that rely on...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 25, 2021 | Permanent Immigration Visas
Following the release of the latest visa bulletin by the U.S. Department of State, March has shaped up as a favorable month for filing an adjustment of status. All countries are current across EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 categories except for China and India who advance...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 22, 2021 | Global
This blog post provides an update on issues for European Union citizens to consider in light of Brexit. European Union (EU) (and European Economic Area and Swiss) citizens who have already been resident in the United Kingdom (UK) are expecting no major issues after...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 22, 2021 | Individual Services
A U.S. district judge extended DV-2020 immigrant visas for six months so they will not lapse while he renders a decision on plaintiffs’ challenge to Trump-era travel bans that are still in place. “Even if the court were to declare the proclamations...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 19, 2021 | Global
Residence Permit Validity Extended By Law Decree no. 2 of December 14, 2020, the validity of residence permits has been extended to April 30, 2021. The decree also extends the validity of Nulla Osta (police entry clearances for family reasons, work permits) for the...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 19, 2021 | Nonimmigrant Visas
According to reports, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) appears to have finished selecting H-1B cap-subject lottery registrations for fiscal year (FY) 2021 (Oct. 1, 2020-Sept. 30, 2021). Employers and counsel who have not yet been notified can check...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 16, 2021 | Consular Services & Travel
The Department of State (DOS) announced exceptions, based on national interest, from COVID-19-related restrictions for certain travelers coming to the United States, including: Business travelers, investors, academics, J-1 students, journalists, and treaty traders....
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 16, 2021 | Consular Services & Travel
The Department of State (DOS) announced exceptions, based on national interest, from COVID-19-related restrictions for certain travelers coming to the United States, including: Business travelers, investors, academics, J-1 students, journalists, and treaty traders....
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 12, 2021 | Global
Air Travel Resumes As of January 27, 2021, air traffic to Russia has resumed with Finland, Vietnam, India, and Qatar. At the moment, in addition, air traffic is open between Russia and Abkhazia, Belarus, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Greece, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 11, 2021 | Immigration Updates, Nonimmigrant Visas, Permanent Immigration Visas
The Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration has proposed to delay the effective date of a Trump administration rule, “Strengthening Wage Protections for the Temporary and Permanent Employment of Certain Aliens in the United States.” The...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 11, 2021 | Immigration Updates, Nonimmigrant Visas
On February 3, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) rescinded PM-602-0142, “Rescission of the December 22, 2000 ‘Guidance memo on H-1B computer related positions.’ ” USCIS said its officers should not apply the rescinded memo “to any pending or new...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 10, 2021 | Global
A change in legislation is consequential for European Union (EU)/Schengen travel to Belgium. A change in legislation, published in the Belgian Official Journal on January 26, 2020, and effective January 27, 2021, will have substantial consequences for EU/Schengen...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 9, 2021 | Global
The type and number of self-employment (Lavoro Autonomo) authorizations available to non-European Union (EU) nationals in Italy are set by a quota decree (decreto-flussi). Not all self-employment categories are available each year. To qualify, the self-employed person...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 9, 2021 | Immigration Updates, Nonimmigrant Visas
Many H-1B applicants were extremely concerned about the prior administration’s proposed wage-based section system that would disadvantage recent U.S. graduates and certain professionals in favor of applicants with the higher paid jobs. DHS has indicated it will delay...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 6, 2021 | Nonimmigrant Visas
USCIS announced today that the initial registration period for H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern time on March 9 and run through noon Eastern time on March 25. During this period, employers will be able to complete petitioner and beneficiary information and submit...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 3, 2021 | Human Resources Services
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced an extension of flexibilities in rules related to Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) compliance due to continued precautions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The policy is extended until March 31,...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 1, 2021 | Nonimmigrant Visas
On January 28, 2021, a U.S. district court judge issued a summary judgment order finding that the STEM OPT (Optional Practical Training for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics students) program is a valid exercise of authority under the Immigration and...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 1, 2021 | Permanent Immigration Visas
The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for February 2021 included the following information on final action date projections (potential monthly movement) for employment-based green card categories through May. The bulletin notes that determination of the actual...
