Executive Order Impacts Hong Kong

On July 14, 2020, President Trump issued an Executive Order on Hong Kong Normalization. In brief, the text of the Executive Order includes a number of immigration-related provisions which seek to suspend or terminate various provisions of U.S. immigration law deriving from the Hong Kong Policy Act enacted by Congress in 1992. The Hong Kong Policy Act sought to provide stability to Hong Kong by allowing the United States to continue to treat Hong Kong separately from Mainland China for purposes of bilateral relations, commerce, transportation, cultural and educational exchanges, visa allocations and certain other matters after the 1997 handover of sovereignty to China.

The new EO seeks to take away benefits currently enjoyed by citizens of the Hong Kong S.A.R., such as shorter wait times for immigrant visas, the ability to apply for Fulbright scholarships, and exemption from complex “export control” regulations applicable to the PRC.  With regard to shorter wait times / country of chargeabilty changes, speakers at a recent virtual conference hosted by the American Immigration Lawyers’ Association (“AILA”) confirmed the Visa Office is still reviewing this matter, but noted Section 103 of IMMACT90 granted separate chargeability treatment to Hong Kong born individuals and that the proclamation does not alter this.

I-9: DHS Extends Requirement Flexibility – With Limitations – But Response Time to (NOI) Not Extended

In March 2020 the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that they would temporarily defer the physical presence requirements associated with Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) under Section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) for employers who have transitioned to a telework-only arrangement for their workforce for a period of 60 days. DHS extended this flexibility policy in May 2020 for an additional 30 days, in June for an additional 30 days and has announced an additional 30-day extension on July 18, 2020. The expiration for the compliance flexibility is August 19, 2020.

ICE also announced in the same press release that after July 19 no additional extensions will be granted to employers who were served notices of inspection (NOIs) by ICE during the month of March 2020.

Automatic National Interest Exceptions for Students from the Schengen Area, United Kingdom, and Ireland

According to the Department of State (DOS), students traveling from the Schengen Area, the UK, and Ireland with valid F-1 and M-1 visas do not need to contact an embassy or consulate to seek an individual national interest exception to travel. Students seeking to apply for new F-1 or M-1 visas should check the status of visa services at the nearest embassy or consulate; those applicants who are found to be otherwise qualified for an F-1 or M-1 visa will automatically be considered for a national interest exception to travel.

Update on Fall 2020 Guidance

On July 24, 2020 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released updated guidance on F and M students and schools certified by Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) that they should abide by guidance issued in March 2020.

The guidance enables schools and students to engage in distance learning in excess of regulatory limits due to the public health emergency generated by COVID-19. The March 2020 guidance applies to nonimmigrant students who were actively enrolled at a U.S. school on March 9, 2020 and are otherwise complying with the terms of their nonimmigrant status, whether from inside the U.S. or abroad. SEVP will not issue a temporary final rule impacting nonimmigrant students for the fall school term.

o   Summary of March 2020 Guidance for Continuing Students

As stated in the March 2020 guidance, Active F and M students will be permitted to temporarily count online classes towards a full course of study in excess of the regulatory limits stated in 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G) and 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(m)(9)(v). The March 2020 guidance applies to continuing F and M nonimmigrant students who were in valid F-1 or M-1 nonimmigrant status on March 9, 2020, including those previously enrolled in entirely online classes who are outside of the United States and seeking to re-enter the country this fall. Students actively enrolled at a U.S. school on March 9, 2020, who subsequently took courses online while outside of the country can re-enter the United States, even if their school is engaged solely in distance learning.

o   Summary of March 2020 Guidance for Initial Students

In accordance with March 2020 guidance, F and M students in new or initial status after March 9, 2020, will not be able to enter the United States to enroll in a U.S. school as a nonimmigrant student for the fall term to pursue a full course of study that is 100 percent online. Also consistent with the SEVP Broadcast Message dated March 9, 2020, designated school officials should not issue a Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” for a student in new or initial status who is outside of the United States and plans to take classes at an SEVP-certified educational institution that is operating 100 percent online.

Additional Information Stakeholders can refer to SEVP’s current policy guidance and frequently asked questions at ICE.gov/Coronavirus, under the Nonimmigrant Students and SEVP-certified Schools header:

o   Broadcast Message 2003-01: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Potential Procedural Adaptations for F and M Nonimmigrant Students (March 9, 2020).

o   COVID-19: Scenarios for SEVP-certified Schools for Emergency Procedures (March 13, 2020).

o   Frequently Asked Questions from SEVP Stakeholders about COVID-19.

SEVP recently updated its frequently asked questions with information to clarify the application of the March 2020 guidance to the fall 2020 semester and will continue to update these resources with the latest information and guidance for stakeholders. The program will continue to provide updates to the academic community through our communication channels, including Broadcast Messages, SEVP field representatives, Study in the States blog posts and social media. Stakeholders should continue to refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of State and U.S. Customs and Border Protection for the latest COVID-19 information, specific port-of-entry screening processes, as well as any travel restrictions.

National Interest Exceptions for Certain Travelers from Europe

Department of State (DOS) announced in July that certain business travelers, investors, treaty traders, academics, and students from the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, and Ireland may qualify for National Interest Exceptions under Presidential Proclamations 9993 (Schengen Area) and 9996 (United Kingdom and Ireland). As such, qualified business and student travelers who are applying for or have valid visas or ESTA authorization may travel to the United States even as PPs 9993 and 9996 remain in effect following the procedures below.

Students traveling from the Schengen Area, the UK, and Ireland with valid F-1 and M-1 visas do not need to contact an embassy or consulate to seek an individual national interest exception to travel. Students seeking to apply for new F-1 or M-1 visas should check the status of visa services at the nearest embassy or consulate; those applicants who are found to be otherwise qualified for an F-1 or M-1 visa will automatically be considered for a national interest exception to travel.

Business travelers, investors, academics, J-1 students, and treaty traders who have a valid visa or ESTA authorization that was issued prior to PP 9993 or 9996’s effective date or who are seeking to apply for a visa, and believe they may qualify for a national interest exception should contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate before traveling. If a national interest exception is approved, they may travel on either a valid visa or ESTA authorization, as appropriate.

The Department of State also continues to grant national interest exceptions for qualified travelers seeking to enter the United States for purposes related to humanitarian travel, public health response, and national security.

Granting national interest exceptions for this travel to the United States from the Schengen area, UK, and Ireland, will assist with the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and bolster key components of our transatlantic relationship.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Extends Northern, Southern Border Closures

This July, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the existing restrictions for certain foreign nationals entering the U.S. via land border crossings with Canada and Mexico will be extended until August 20, 2020. The restrictions apply to “non-essential” travel to the U.S. from these countries. 

“Essential travel” includes, but is not limited to—

• U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to the United States;

• Individuals traveling for medical purposes (e.g., to receive medical treatment in the United States);

• Individuals traveling to attend educational institutions;

• Individuals traveling to work in the United States (e.g., individuals working in the farming or agriculture industry who must travel between the United States and Canada in furtherance of such work);

• Individuals traveling for emergency response and public health purposes (e.g., government officials or emergency responders entering the United States to support federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial government efforts to respond to COVID-19 or other emergencies);

• Individuals engaged in lawful cross-border trade (e.g., truck drivers supporting the movement of cargo between the United States and Canada);

• Individuals engaged in official government travel or diplomatic travel;

• Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and the spouses and children of members of the U.S. Armed Forces, returning to the United States; and

• Individuals engaged in military-related travel or operations.

The following travel does not fall within the definition of “essential travel” for purposes of this Notification—

• Individuals traveling for tourism purposes (e.g., sightseeing, recreation, gambling, or attending cultural events)

USCIS Final Rule Fee Increases

On July 31, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced fee adjustments for certain immigration and naturalization benefit requests to ensure U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recovers its costs of services.

The rule accounts for increased costs to adjudicate immigration benefit requests, detect and deter immigration fraud, and thoroughly vet applicants, petitioners and beneficiaries. The rule also supports payroll, technology and operations to accomplish the USCIS mission. The rule removes certain fee exemptions, includes new nominal fees for asylum applicants, and reduces fee waivers to help recover the costs of adjudication.  USCIS last updated its fee structure in December 2016 by a weighted average increase of 21%.

This new rule (and the new fees) will go into effect on 10/2 and impact many of the common filings including:

• I-129s now have different fees depending on what kind of status is requested (H-1B, TNs, E-3, O-1, L-1, etc.)

o   H-1Bs increase from $460 as a base filing fee to $555

o  TNs filed via I-129 increase from $460 to $695

o   E-3s filed via I-129 increase from $460 to $695

o   O-1s increase from $460 to $705

o   L-1s increase from $460 to $805

• I-539 applications are currently $370 and increase to $400 but the $85 per person biometrics fee no longer applies. 

• I-765 applications increase from $410 to $550

• I-140s decrease from $700 to $555

• Adjustment of Status (AOS), I-485 applications decreases from $1,225 (which included biometrics) to $1140 per application for adults

  • NOTE: EAD/AP COMBO CARD REQUESTS ARE NO LONGER FREE FOR AOS APPLICANTS.  AOS applicants who want EADs or Advance Parole documents now must separately pay a filing fee of $590 for Advance Parole and $550 for an EAD, meaning the single applicant for an I-485 seeking an EAD/AP combo card sees an overall fee increase from $1,225 to $2,280!

• Adjustment of Status, I-485 applications increases from $750 to $1,140 per application for children

• Naturalization, N-400 applications increase from $640 to $1,170.

For a full list of changes and a complete table of final fees, see the final rule.

Any application, petition, or request postmarked on or after October 2, 2020 must include payment of the new, correct fees established by this final rule.

For more information about your eligibility for filing for an immigrant petition before the fee increases, contact the attorneys at Iandoli Desai & Cronin PC.

Employment Authorization Document (EAD) & Green Card production delays at USCIS

On July 21, 2020 following news coverage of Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR)/Greencard production delays, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published an Ombudsman’s Alert regarding card production delays. According to the alert, in June 2020, USCIS reduced the capacity to print secure documents after it ended a contract with a third-party card production facility. While USCIS intended to hire federal employees to replace the contractors, the current hiring freeze at USCIS has delayed production of the cards. As such, USCIS has not been producing the permanent resident cards and EAD cards in a timely manner, so some foreign nationals have experienced delays in receiving these secure documents. Such delays are expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Should there be a furlough of USCIS employees at the end of August, card production backlogs will likely increase.

The DHS Ombudsman’s Office is assisting individuals whose applications have been approved but whose cards have not yet been produced by sending weekly spreadsheets to USCIS to verify card requests are in line to be processed. Individuals experiencing a delay in receiving their documents can submit a request for case assistance with the Ombudsman. LPRs may obtain proof of their status by requesting an I-551 stamp of temporary evidence in a valid passport at a local USCIS field office.

NY Federal Court Enjoins Public Charge Rule

On July 29, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York issued an order stating that the motion for preliminary injunction and temporary stay of the USCIS Final Rule on Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds application is granted. The government is enjoined from enforcing, applying, implementing, or treating as effective the Rule for any period during which there is a declared national health emergency in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The order notes, “a nationwide injunction is both necessary to redress the harms caused by the Rule and appropriate given the strong federal interest in uniformity of the national health and immigration policies at issue here.”

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York issued a separate order stating that the motion for preliminary injunction enjoining the application or implementation of the 2018 FAM Revisions, DOS Rule, and Proclamation is also granted. The order notes, “a geographically limited injunction would be especially unworkable in a case such as this, where consular officers on foreign soil would have to determine how to apply different rules to different applicants.”

USCIS announced that it will implement the injunction immediately, although it will likely also challenge the order.  Iandoli Desai & Cronin PC will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates when available.

USCIS furloughs delayed

The anticipated August 3 furloughs have been postponed to August 31.  The announcement on July 24, 2020 came after Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) pressed USCIS to reverse course on its intended furloughs after he made public the fact that new revenue estimates showed the agency due to end the fiscal year in a surplus, and not the previously projected $571 million deficit.