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.

10/28/2021    Plaintiffs settled their lawsuit challenging USCIS’ unlawful denial of H-1B petitions for market research analyst positions. MadKudu Inc., et al. v. USCIS, et al., Case 5:20-cv-02653 (N.D. Cal. Filed April 16, 2020). 

10/27/2021    The Executive Office for Immigration Review announced that it appointed 24 new Immigration Judges, including four Assistant Chief Immigration Judges and two new Unit Chief Immigration Judges.  

10/25/2021    The White House announced that it will lift COVID-19 travel restrictions starting November 8, 2021 for international visitors who are fully vaccinated and show proof of a negative coronavirus test.

10/21/2021    The U.S. Department of Justice is ending case quotas for immigration judges and will no longer require immigration judges to close 700 cases per year to receive a satisfactory rating.

10/21/2021    U.S. Customs and Border Protection will continue travel restrictions limiting non-essential travel from Canada (86 FR 201, 10/21/21) and Mexico (86 FR 201, 10/21/21) into the U.S. at land ports of entry through 1/21/22 but intends to lift these restrictions for fully vaccinated travelers to align with changes made to international travel by air.  

10/19/2021    The U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Labor announced separate settlement agreements with Facebook regarding its use of the application for permanent labor certification (PERM) program.

10/15/2021    The White House and CDC announced details of the new vaccination policy that will go into effect for international travelers on November 8, 2021.  

10/12/2021    USCIS announced that the H-2B cap for the first half of fiscal year 2022 has been reached. 

10/12/2021    DHS announced that in November it will begin to allow non-essential travelers who have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to enter the United States via land and ferry ports of entry from Canada and Mexico. 

10/06/2021    The U.S. Department of State opened the online registration for the 2023 FY Diversity Visa Lottery from October 6, 2021 to November 9, 2021. 

10/05/2021    A federal judge with the U.S. District Court for D.C. ruled it is unlawful to stop processing visas for eligible travelers during travel bans. 

10/01/2021    CDC announced that all immigrant visa applicants, all K Fiancé(e) visa applicants, and nonimmigrant visa applicants who need medical exams as part of the application process must receive the full COVID-19 vaccine series if they are unvaccinated, some exceptions apply.   

9/30/2021    ICE updated its policies of enforcing civil immigration violations in apprehending and removing noncitizens, effective November 29, 2021. 

9/30/2021    DHS added Croatia on the list of countries designated for participation in ESTA/Visa Waiver Program.