The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced an extension of the flexibility in complying with requirements related to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, due to COVID-19.

This temporary guidance was set to expire December 31.Because of ongoing precautions related to COVID-19, DHS has extended this policy an additional...

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on Dec 6, 2019, announced a requirement for employers seeking to file H-1B cap-subject petitions, including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption, to first electronically register and pay the associated $10.00 H-1B registration fee before filing a petition. USCIS will open an initial registration period from March 1...

Em 11 de dezembro de 2020, o Departamento de Segurança Interna dos EUA publicou novas regulamentações de asilo. Espera-se que as regras entrem em vigor em 11 de janeiro de 2021. As novas regras alteram significativamente a elegibilidade para asilo, incluindo fatores discricionários e procedimento de aplicação. Essas regras são uma revisão de todo...

El 11 de diciembre de 2020, el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional de EE. UU. Publicó nuevas regulaciones de asilo. Se espera que las reglas entren en vigencia el 11 de enero de 2021 y cambien significativamente la elegibilidad para el asilo, incluidos los factores discrecionales y el procedimiento de solicitud. La nueva regla es...

On December 11, 2020, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security published new asylum regulations. The rules are expected to take effect on January 11, 2021, and they significantly change eligibility for asylum including discretionary factors and procedure for applying. The new rule is an overhaul of the entire asylum process and the Trump Administration’s...

On Dec 15th, 2020, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced an update expanding the discretionary criteria USCIS officers use to determine whether to interview applicants filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, based on refugee or asylum status.

The updated criteria are well within the parameters of USCIS’ regulatory authority to...

On Dec 2nd, 2020, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced updated guidance for adjudicating EB-2 and EB-3 Schedule A petitions for registered nurses, physical therapists, and aliens of exceptional ability.

The update does not change any policy, but does clarify how USCIS adjudicators should apply Department of Homeland Security and Department of Labor (DOL) regulations...

 

The USCIS lockbox facilities have received a significant increase in filings in recent weeks. This increase, along with facility capacity restrictions necessary to protect the health and safety of the lockbox workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic, is causing significant delays for processing receipt notices. USCIS continues to work to minimize delays. Once USCIS processes...

December 11, 2020, the Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, and Luigi Di Maio, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic, signed a new bilateral youth mobility agreement between Canada and Italy.

This new agreement will improve labour market access for Canadian and Italian youth between...