In response to preliminary injunctions, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) announced status extensions applying to foreign nationals in temporary protected status (“TPS”). The extensions also apply to employment authorization, I-94 Forms, and I-797 Forms. The extensions for the I-94 and I-797 Forms apply to TPS beneficiaries, who timely […]
Temporary Protected Status
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security authorized temporary protected status for Burmese, Syrians, and Venezuelans a while ago. In early August 2021, the Department of Homeland Security extended the initial registration period for Burmese, Syrian, and Venezuelans eligible to file new applications (I-821 Form) for protected status. Rather than limit […]
Changes to Employment Authorization for Haitian F-1 Students
The Department of Homeland Security published a notice regarding employment authorization for Haitian students in F-1 nonimmigrant status. The Department of Homeland Security suspends certain regulatory requirements for Haitian F-1 students suffering severe economic hardship. The reduced restrictions will allow Haitian F-1 students to work more hours during school session […]
Temporary Protected Status for Haitian Nationals
2024 Update Regarding Temporary Protected Status The Department of Homeland Security redesignated temporary protected status for Haitian nationals from 8 August 2024 through 3 February 2026. See 89 Fed. Reg. 54484 (July 1, 2024). For Haiti specific information, applicants may find more information on U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’s temporary […]
Refugee Admissions Processing (Priority 2) for Afghan Refugees
The U.S. State Department designated Afghan refugees as eligible for priority 2 (P-2) processing by the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. The priority 2 designation applies to Afghans, who do not legally qualify for special immigrant visas. The U.S. State Department’s announcement provides guidance as to which Afghans may apply for […]
Certificates of Citizenship for Children
On 18 September 2020, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) issued Policy Alert (PA-2020-15) regarding certificates of citizenship for permanent resident children born to military service members and U.S. Government employees living abroad. The amendments occur in response to Congress’s amendments to Immigration and Nationality Act § 320, 8 U.S.C. […]
Deadline Extension for Responses to USCIS
In response to COVID-19, USCIS extended the deadline for applicants to respond to Requests for Evidence, N-14 Continuations to Request Evidence, Notices of Intent to Deny, Notices of Intent to Revoke, Notices of Intent to Rescind, Notices of Intent to Terminate regional centers, Motions to Reopen N-400 pursuant to 8 […]
Biometrics for I-539 Applicants
Effective 17 May 2021, USCIS announced that the agency will not require biometrics for I-539 applicants in the E-1, E-2, E-3, H-4, and L-2 categories. This temporary policy applies to foreign nationals requesting extension of stay or change of status. USCIS’s policy applies to I-539 applications pending as of 17 […]
COVID-19 Restriction for Travelers Arriving from India.
UPDATE: Effective 8 November 2021, the United States Government rescinded Proclamation 10199, which restricted travel from India. The U.S. Government enacted Proclamation 10294, which implements COVID-19 vaccination requirements for travelers. For more detail regarding exemptions, please see the Federal Register Notice. Effective 4 May 2021, Proclamation 10199 temporarily restricts nonimmigrant […]
Deferred Enforced Departure for Liberian Nationals
The Biden Administration extended deferred enforced departure for Liberian nationals. The deferred enforced departure (“DED”) extension also applies to stateless persons who lived in Liberia. DED is extended until 30 June 2022. Employment authorization for DED beneficiaries (A-11 category), expiring on 30 March 2020 or 10 January 2021, is automatically […]