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.
10/31/2023 U.S. Department of State (“DOS”)
issued notice of the extension of Special Student Relief (SSR) for eligible Ukrainian college and university students on J-1 visas through 4/19/25, unless the U.S. Government unilaterally ends the arrangement early or the U.S. Government and the Government of Ukraine together extend its termination date. SSR is also expanded to apply to eligible Ukrainian college and university students on J-1 visas who have continuously resided in the U.S. since at least 8/16/23.
10/27/2023 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”)
announced that certain applicants who have filed Form I-765 to renew their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) qualify for an automatic extension of their expiring employment authorization and/or EAD for 180 days while their renewal application is pending.
10/26/2023 USCIS
announced that it will consider two-year extensions of the initial parole period on a case-by-case basis for certain Afghan nationals who were under 14 years old as of 9/26/23.
10/19/2023 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”)
announced that, with Israel designated into the Visa Waiver Program, nationals of Israel are now able to apply through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (“ESTA”) to travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without first obtaining a U.S. visa.
10/18/2023 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”)
announced that it has resumed flights removing (deporting) Venezuelan nationals who are subject to immigration enforcement directly to the country of Venezuela.
10/18/2023 U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”)
announced the addition of Ecuador to the family reunification parole process (“FRP”). FRP is now available to Ecuadorian nationals whose family members are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and who have received approval to join their family in the United States on a case-by-case basis for a period of up to three years while they wait to apply to become a lawful permanent resident.
10/13/2023 The U.S. Embassy in Israel
announced that, due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the consular offices in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv have temporarily discontinued offering nonimmigrant and immigrant visa services.
10/13/2023 USCIS
announced it has reached the H-2B cap for Fiscal Year 2024.
10/12/2023 USCIS
launched a change of address self-service tool to allow individuals to report an address change more easily to USCIS.
10/11/2023 USCIS
published updated guidance regarding its interpretation of changes to the EB-5 program created by the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA), specifically the required investment timeframe and how investors associated with a terminated regional center are treated.
10/06/2023 DOS
published the Visa Bulletin for November 2023.
10/06/2023 USCIS
published Adjustment of Status filing dates for November 2023.
10/06/2023 DHS
announced the extension and redesignation of Cameroon for TPS for 18 months, from December 8, 2023 through June 7, 2025.
10/05/2023 DHS
announced resumption of removals of Venezuelans who do not have legal basis to remain in the U.S. to Venezuela.
10/03/2023 USCIS
published a reminder that, starting Wednesday, November 1, 2023, all employers must use the revised Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, with the edition date August 1, 2023, when completing the employment eligibility verification process.
10/03/2023 DHS
published its notice extending and redesignating Venezuela for TPS for 18 months, from March 11, 2024 through September 10, 2025.
