Immigration law is at the forefront of public dialogue these days. Womble Bond Dickinson’s Immigration Solutions team helps employers navigate high-stakes, constantly shifting immigration challenges to avoid potential problems and secure the talent they need to make their companies thrive. The following newsletter, drafted by Womble Bond Dickinson Immigration Solutions attorneys, covers some of the recent and most important developments in immigration law.

05/27/2021    The U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy alert about what effects registering to vote through a state’s DMV or other state benefit process has on a naturalization applicant’s ability to meet good moral character criteria.  The policy is effective immediately.

05/27/2021    U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced an extension of flexibilities in rules related to Form I-9 compliance due to COVID-19-related precautions.  The flexibilities are only available to employers and workplaces that are operating remotely.  If employees are physically present at a work location, no exceptions exist for in-person verification of identity and employment eligibility documentation. 

05/25/2021    U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) released guidance explaining how U.S. citizens whose passports expired on or after January 1, 2020 can use them to return to the U.S. through December 31, 2021.

05/25/2021    USCIS issued a policy alert concerning how to preserve continuous residence and physical presence for purposes of naturalization while engaged in religious duties outside the U.S.

05/24/2021    U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has continued its travel restrictions from Canada into the U.S. at land ports of entry along the U.S.-Canada border and from Mexico into the U.S. at land ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border, through June 21, 2021 due to COVID-19.

05/19/2021    The U.S. Department of State (DOS) June 2021 Visa Bulletin includes updated filing information for family- and employment-based petitions, rank cut-offs for the Diversity Visa Lottery program, and projections for July and beyond.

05/18/2021    DOS updated its position on assisted reproductive technology and transmission of U.S. citizenship to children with genetic or gestational ties to at least one of their parents.

05/13/2021    The U.S. Department of Labor issued a final rule to delay the effective date of the final rule on computation of prevailing wage levels until November 14, 2022.

05/10/2021    Diversity Visa 2022 Lottery Entrants can now check their confirmation information at https://info.womblebonddickinson.com/e/864902/2021-06-07/3zyfyn/759294273?h=kNailZ2G2vqxemgjS58OmimxPueTs0oxHb-DQjrhUDk.

05/06/2021    By Presidential Proclamation, India has been added to the list of countries subject to U.S. travel restrictions.  Certain individuals physically present in India during the 14-day period preceding their intended entry to the U.S. are ineligible to enter the U.S. absent a National Interest Exception grant.