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.

9/27/2024    U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (“USCIS”) announced it will extend previously-announced fee exemptions and expedited processing for Afghan nationals under its Enduring Welcome initiative. Afghan nationals paroled into the United States on or after 7/30/2021, are eligible.

9/26/2024    U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) published a final rule adding Qatar to the list of countries designated for participating in the Visa Waiver Program. This final rule and the Secretary’s designation are effective 9/26/2024, and the designation will be implemented on 12/1/2024.

9/24/2024    DHS published a notice providing information about Deferred Enforced Departure (“DED”) for Liberians and how eligible individuals may apply for DED-based Employment Authorization Documents (“EAD”) with USCIS, as well as for travel authorization. The extension of DED began on 6/28/2024 and ends on 6/30/2026 for eligible noncitizens.  

9/19/2024    USCIS reported it has received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated cap on H-2B visas for the first half of Fiscal Year (“FY”) 2025. 9/18/2024 was the final receipt date for new cap-subject H-2B worker petitions requesting an employment start date before 4/1/2025. USCIS will reject new cap-subject H-2B petitions received after 9/18/2024 that request an employment start date before 4/1/2025.

9/18/2024    USCIS announced, effective 9/10/24, it will automatically extend the validity of green cards to 36 months for lawful permanent residents who file Form I-90 to renew or replace their permanent resident card. Previously a 24-month extension was provided.

9/11/2024    USCIS announced that, for determining when applications for adjustment of status can be filed in October, the Final Action Dates chart published in the U.S. Department of State’s (“DOS”) October 2024 Visa Bulletin must be used for both family-sponsored and employment-based preference categories.

9/9/2024    DOS announced that all available EB-2 visas for FY2024 have been used, and embassies and consulates may not issue visas in these categories for the remainder of the fiscal year. The annual limits reset on 10/1/2024, the start of the new fiscal year.

9/5/2024    DOS announced two new visa classifications for noncitizens seeking to transit the U.S. to join a vessel engaged in foreign trade or undertaking lightering activities for a period not to exceed 180 days.

9/3/2024    DOS posted the October 2024 Visa Bulletin.