Major Immigration Updates

January 2021

ACE Sends Letter to USCIS Addressing OPT/STEM OPT Processing Delays
January 26, 2021

On January 26, 2021, the American Council on Education (ACE) sent a letter to USDHS addressing the ongoing concerns of the higher education community on the OPT/STEM OPT processing delays […]

Executive Order Extending Travel Restriction to U.S. from Iran, China, Brazil, Europe/Schengen Countries (including United Kingdom and Ireland); adding South Africa
January 26, 2021

On January 25, 2021, President Biden signed an Executive Order to maintain the COVID travel restrictions for entry to the U.S. within 14 days of being physically present in Brazil […]

Biden Administration Revokes Trump Administration “Travel Bans”
January 26, 2021

On January 20, 2021 President Biden issued a Proclamation on Ending Discriminatory Bans on Entry to The United States. This Proclamation revokes the following Executive Orders issued by the Trump […]

U.S.-Canada-Mexico “Non-Essential” Travel Restrictions Extended to 02/21/2021
January 15, 2021

UPDATED 01/22/2021: USCBP USCBP has posted to its Twitter account that the Non-Essential travel restriction between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico has been extended for an additional period (to February […]

U.S. will require negative Covid-19 tests for international travelers entering the U.S.
January 13, 2021

Under a new federal Order that will take effect January 26, 2021, air passengers arriving to the US from a foreign country will be subject to new COVID-19 testing requirements.  Passengers […]

Trump Administration Extends Two Immigration- Related Proclamations to March 31, 2021
January 5, 2021

On December 31, 2020, the Trump administration announced the extension of the following two policies: (1) Immigrant entry restriction extended to March 31, 2021: On April 22, 2020, a Presidential […]

December 2020

U.S.-Canada-Mexico “Non-Essential” Travel Restrictions Extended to 01/21/2021
December 21, 2020

UPDATED 12/20/2020: USCBP announces via Twitter that Non-Essential travel restriction between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico has been extended. The posting is not as definitive as past notices, referring to […]

Court Rulings Halt Implementation of Recent H-1B/DOL/Prevailing Wage Interim Final Rules
December 4, 2020

As a result of a court ruling on December 1, 2020, the two rules affecting the H-1B and E-3 visa programs, and PERM Labor Certifications that were described in our Update […]

November 2020

USCIS Extends Validity of Certain Forms I-797 for I-9 Processing Due to Document Issuance Delays
November 23, 2020

On November 23, 2020, USCIS announced that it will further extend acceptance of certain Form I-797 Notices of Action for completing Forms I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification given delays in processing […]

U.S.-Canada-Mexico “Non-Essential” Travel Restrictions Extended to 12/21/2020
November 20, 2020

UPDATED 11/20/2020: USCBP announces via Twitter that Non-Essential travel restriction between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico has been extended. The posting is not as definitive as past notices, referring to […]