On August 12, 2020, the U.S. Department of State issued guidance on scenarios that may qualify for a “national interest exception” under Presidential Proclamation 10052 of June 22, 2020 (“Proclamation Suspending Entry of Aliens Who Present a Risk to the U.S. Labor Market Following the Coronavirus Outbreak”) and Presidential Proclamation 10014 of April 22, 2020 […]
Immigration
Second Presidential Proclamation Suspending Certain Visa Applicants
On June 22, 2020, President Trump signed a second proclamation suspending entry into the United States of certain immigrants and nonimmigrants who present a risk to the U.S. labor market following the coronavirus outbreak. Effective immediately, the proclamation extends the suspension of entry for certain immigrants (Presidential Proclamation 10014) through December 31, 2020. The new restrictions imposed […]
COVID-19 and the Public Charge Rule
I have been getting numerous inquiries from clients regarding whether their receiving government benefits through CARES Act will affect their current or impending immigration statuses. USCIS started its expansive public charge rules as of February 24, 2020. What used to be not considered as public benefits triggering inadmissibility in the past got included such as […]
President Trump’s Proclamation Suspending Some Immigrant Visas
President Trump signed a much-feared Proclamation on April 22, 2020, suspending certain immigrant visas, effective from April 23, 2020 for 60 days or until June 22, 2020. The measure contains broad exceptions and is more limited than the sweeping closure he tweeted. Section 2(a) spelled out the scope of suspension and limitation on entry applies […]
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and COVID-19
USCIS has made several public announcements regarding COVID-19 measures: As of March 18, USCIS temporarily suspended routine in-person services through at least May 3. However, USCIS has been accepting online and paper-filed applications and petitions. The suspended services include Biometrics appointments, INFOPASS appointments, interviews and Naturalization ceremonies. See here for full release. USCIS announced that […]
Immigration Audits on the Rise
As expected, the Trump Administration continues to increase the number of immigration audits to verity the employment eligibility of employees. The federal government’s “culture of compliance” focuses on employers, with the goal of discouraging unauthorized immigration by limiting employment access to undocumented workers. This May, the Associated Press (“AP”) published an article confirming this sharp […]
What Happened to DACA?
As you may know, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) has been subject to many judicial decisions since the Trump Administration’s September 5, 2017, announcement to gradually end the program on March 5, 2018. On January 9, 2018, Judge William H. Alsup of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California temporarily […]
Raids and Employment Verifications: An Employer’s Guide to Prepare for ICE Visits
On January 10th, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”)[1] agents targeted nearly 100 7-Eleven stores nationwide in search of undocumented workers. The raids at the 7-Eleven stores are the result of the Trump Administration’s efforts to increase raids and compliance investigations. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that employers should take proactive measures in order […]
The Trump Administration Announcement to End DACA
On September 5, 2017, the Trump Administration announced the end of the program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA. Since 2012, DACA granted nearly 800,000 eligible noncitizens (including about 18,000 people in Washington State) temporary protection from deportation; employment authorization; and permission to participate in the Social Security program. The people eligible […]