Proposed Congressional Bills Offer Paths to Legal Immigration Status
In recent years, support for a pathway to legal status for undocumented people has become increasingly popular, especially because many are essential workers and have community ties such as spouses and children. FWD.us polling has shown that the majority of…
Secretary Mayorkas Announces Designation of Croatia as a New Participant in the Visa Waiver Program
Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas, in coordination with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, designated Croatia as a new participant in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Starting no later than December 1, 2021, the Electronic System for Travel…
What Happens to Immigration if the Government Shuts Down
If Congress and the President don’t reach an agreement on the budget by September 30, 2021, the government will shut down on Friday. That means all but essential government employees will be furloughed and not allowed to work. Consequently, many…
CDC Requires COVID-19 Vaccination for Green Card Applicants and Refugees Starting October 1
Starting October 1st, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all green card applicants and refugees. Vaccination requirements for immigration are not new. In fact, proof of many other vaccines recommended by the Advisory…
DHS Continues Temporary Protected Status Designations for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan
The Department of Homeland Security has announced the automatic extension of TPS designations for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan. TPS beneficiaries from these six countries will retain their status, provided they continue to meet all the individual…
What You Should Know About the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL)
Have you ever had an interaction with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), during which you believe your civil rights and civil liberties were infringed? Did you know that you can file a formal complaint with the DHS Office for…
USCIS Announces Extension of Proof of Status for Conditional Permanent Residents to 24 Months with Pending Form I-751 or Form I-829
Starting Sept. 4, 2021, USCIS is extending the time that receipt notices can be used to show evidence of status from 18 months to 24 months for petitioners who properly file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, or Form I-829,…
DHS Seeks Public Comment on Public Charge Rule-making
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is seeking data and information from the public that DHS intends to use to develop a public charge regulatory proposal. The purpose of public comment is to ensure that the proposal is fair, consistent…
USICS Announcement that Cap Reached for Remaining H-2B Visas for Returning Workers for FY 2021
As of Aug. 13, 2021, the USCIS has received enough petitions for returning workers to reach the additional 22,000 H-2B visas made available under the FY 2021 H-2B supplemental visa temporary final rule. We will reject and return any cap-subject petitions…
USCIS Reaches Settlement Agreement in “No Blank Space Rejection Policy” Case
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reached a settlement agreement in the case of Vangala et al. v. USCIS et al., No. 4:20-cv-08143(N.D. Cal.). The agreement allows certain individuals to receive updated receipt dates for resubmitted immigration benefit applications or petitions originally…
