Parole Process for certain nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV) Paused and then Resumed with more Rigorous Vetting Procedures for Supporting Sponsor
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) temporarily paused the issuance of advance travel authorizations (ATAs) for new Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan beneficiaries while it reviewed the supporter application process. The review has since been completed and DHS has resumed processing of ATAs. As part of an internal review, DHS has implemented updated safeguards to the CHNV processes, incorporating rigorous enhanced vetting in the supporter application process. Potential CHNV beneficiaries should continue to monitor their myUSCIS account for updated information regarding their ATAs. Individuals with a valid, unexpired ATA are permitted to travel.
Keeping Families Together Program Has Begun as of August 19, 2024, and a Lawsuit Has Been Filed Against the Program as of August 23, 2024
On August 19, 2024 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Federal Register notice to implement Keeping Families Together Parole-in-Place program, a process for certain noncitizen spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens to obtain “parole,” a temporary three year status that would provide the recipient with the ability to remain in the U.S., apply for work authorization, as well as creating a pathway to obtain a green card from within the U.S. USCIS has begun accepting applications for this program. However, on August 23, 2024, Texas and other states filed a lawsuit challenging the program in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (Texas v. Department of Homeland Security, Case No. 24-cv-306). On August 26, 2024, the court issued an administrative stay that orders USCIS to halt approvals for 14 days but allows USCIS to continue to receive applications and conduct biometrics appointments.
IDC was mentioned in Steven Wasserman's Forbes article!
Click the link below to read more!
Link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenwasserman/2024/08/15/hidden-talent-case-for-hiring-international-masters-stem-graduates/?
Visa Bulletin - August 2024
Each month, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) publishes the Visa Bulletin, listing all "preference" categories and states whether a backlog exists for each one. In addition, the categories are folded into two charts: “Final Action” chart and a “Dates for Filing” chart for Family-Based immigration and Employment-Based immigration.
In August, the EB-1 preference category on the Final Action Chart remains current for all countries other than China and India. The EB-1 priority dates for China and India for August are November 1, 2022 and February 1, 2022 respectively.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) determined that Chart A (Final Action Dates Employment-Based Visa Applications) could be used in August. Both the EB-2 and EB-3 preference categories remain backlogged for all countries, which means that individuals in these categories may not file Form I-485 applications until their priority dates become “current.”
The August Visa Bulletin noted that demand and number use has remained high in the EB-3 visa category. Although retrogression has not been necessary for August, it will likely be necessary to either retrogress the final action date or make the category “Unavailable” in September. This situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly.
The complete Visa Bulletin, including priority dates for family-based immigrant applications, can be found on the Department of State website.
If you have questions about planning, please schedule a consultation with one of the attorneys at Iandoli, Desai & Cronin (info@iandoli.com).
USCIS Publishes FAQs for Individuals in H-1B Nonimmigrant Status
On July 17, 2024, USCIS published information intended to address common questions by individuals in H-1B nonimmigrant status, particularly related to applying for lawful permanent resident (LPR) status, job changes or terminations, international travel, and dependent family members. The information in this FAQ includes:
An eligible H-1B worker can change employers as soon as the new employer’s nonfrivolous H-1B petition is properly filed with USCIS.
USCIS will not revoke a Form I-140 petition approval solely due to the termination of the petitioner’s business or the employer’s withdrawal, as long as the petition has been approved for at least 180 days or the associated adjustment of status application has been pending for at least 180 days, and the petition approval is not revoked on other grounds. In this scenario, the H-1B worker will retain their priority date.
When an H-1B worker’s employment is terminated (either voluntarily or involuntarily), they typically may take one of several actions, such as changing to another nonimmigrant status, to remain in a period of authorized stay in the United States beyond 60 days.
The chart provided by USCIS here summarizes some common scenarios for H-1B workers. The information in this chart is general and does not capture all relevant details or considerations. Nonimmigrant should consult an immigration attorney for case-specific issues.
Update to Form I-9, Employer Eligibility Verification
On August 1 2024, a new edition of Form I-9 was made available to employers. According to this update, Employers should use the 08/01/23 edition of Form I-9. This edition will have an expiration date of either 07/31/2026 or 05/31/2027.
Starting August 1, 2026, employers should use the Form I-9 version with the 05/31/2027 expiration date.
White House Memorandum on the Deferred Enforced Departure for Certain Lebanese Nationals
On July 26, 2022, the Biden Administration released a Memorandum on the Deferred Enforced Departure for Certain Lebanese Nationals based on deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the region. This memo directs the Department of Homeland Security to take measures to defer the removal of any Lebanese national present in the U.S. as of the memo’s release, except for:
(1) those who have voluntarily returned to Lebanon after the date of this memorandum;
(2) those who have not continuously resided in the United States since the date of this memorandum;
(3) those who are inadmissible under section 212(a)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)) or deportable under section 237(a)(4) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1227(a)(4));
(4) those who have been convicted of any felony or two or more misdemeanors committed in the United States, or who meet any of the criteria set forth in section 208(b)(2)(A) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1158(b)(2)(A));
(5) those who are subject to extradition;
(6) those whose presence in the United States the Secretary of Homeland Security has determined is not in the interest of the United States or presents a danger to public safety; or
(7) those whose presence in the United States the Secretary of State has reasonable grounds to believe would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.
This memo further directs DHS to take appropriate measures to authorize employment for noncitizens whose removal has been deferred, as provided by this memorandum, for the duration of such deferral, and to consider suspending regulatory requirements with respect to F-1 nonimmigrant students who are Lebanese nationals as the Secretary of Homeland Security determines to be appropriate.
New Reports on Visa Denials for African Applicants Highlight Disparities
On July 8, 2024, a report from Shorelight and the President’s Alliance on Higher Education was released providing data on trends in U.S. student visa applications and denials from 2015 to 2022. According to the data in this report, with the exception of four countries in southern Africa, visa denial rates for African applicants have been increasing since 2015, when Africa had a visa denial rate of 44 percent compared to denial rates of 30, 8, and 7 percent for Asia, Europe, and South America, respectively. These disproportionate results are echoed in a July 28th report from international news outlet Semafor, although they property submit the lowest number of applications, African students are rejected at a rate of 30 percent in Europes Schengen area as well.
DHS Notice of Employment Authorization for Yemeni and Somali F-1 Nonimmigrant Students
On July 10, 2024, The U.S. Dept of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a notice suspending certain regulatory requirements for F-1 nonimmigrant students from Yemen who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the current crisis in Yemen. This action covers eligible Yemeni F-1 nonimmigrant students beginning on September 4, 2024, and ending on March 3, 2026. On July 22, 2024, the U.S. Dept of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a similar notice suspending certain regulatory requirements for F-1 nonimmigrant students from Somalia who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the current crisis in Somalia. This action is effective beginning on September 18, 2024, and ending on March 17, 2026.
These notices apply only to F-1 nonimmigrant students who meet all of the following conditions:
(1) Are a citizen of Yemen or Somalia regardless of country of birth (or an individual having no nationality who last habitually resided in Yemen or Somalia);
(2) Were lawfully present in the United States on the date of publication of these notices in F-1 nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)(i);
(3) Are enrolled in an academic institution that is Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified for enrollment for F-1 nonimmigrant students;
(4) Are currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status; and
(5) Are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the current crisis in Yemen or Somalia.
This notice applies to F-1 nonimmigrant students in an approved private school in kindergarten through grade 12, public school grades 9 through 12, and undergraduate and graduate education. An F-1 nonimmigrant student covered by ICE’s notice who transfers from one SEVP-certified academic institution to another certified institution remains eligible for the relief provided by this notice.
ICE Notice Amending the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List
On July 22, 2024, The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Federal Register notice, announcing the addition of one Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code to the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. The CIP code being added to the list is Environmental/Natural Resource Economics (03.0204).
The DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List is a complete list of fields of study that DHS considers to be science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for the purpose of the 24-month STEM extension of optional practical training (OPT). As part of the 2016 STEM OPT final rule, “Improving and Expanding Training Opportunities for F-1 Nonimmigrant Students With STEM Degrees and Cap-Gap Relief for All Eligible F-1 Students,” DHS noted that it envisioned making “periodic updates to the STEM list in response to changes in STEM fields, academic programs, or technological trends” and would “review recommendations from the public concerning potential additions or deletions to the list.” After reviewing nominations submitted by interested parties, including members of the public, DHS is adding one field of study, as identified by a unique CIP code, to the list. No CIP codes or fields of study have been removed from the list as part of this update.
Additional information on how to nominate CIP codes can be found at ICE.gov/SEVIS/Schools, under the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List and CIP Code Nomination Process header.