Immigration
Visa Appointment Cancellations in India
April 29, 2021
Due to increasing COVID-19 cases in India, the US Embassy and Consulates have issued a notice that they are cancelling visa appointments through May 15th in New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. Cancelled appointments are not being rescheduled at this time. Emergency appointments will be conducted but will be reliant on available staff. The US […]
F-1 Students have Option to File I-765 Online
April 29, 2021
On April 12th, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that F-1 students applying for optional practical training will now be permitted to file their Form I-765, Application for Work Authorization, online for specific categories. The only categories that are currently permissible for F-1 students to file are for the following: (c)(3)(A): Pre-Completion OPT (c)(3)(B): […]
Public Charge Rule Goes Bye-Bye
March 12, 2021
Last April, our office alerted the community and our constituents that under the previous administration, the Public Charge Rule was in effect. This ruling requested information to be provided by beneficiaries/applicants who sought specific immigration classifications as it related to whether or not they and any of their applicable dependents received public benefits. Based off […]
F-1 OPT and STEM OPT Work Authorization Here to Stay
December 3, 2020
A little more good news to share regarding Optional Practical Training, including STEM OPT, eligibility for F-1 students. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued an order on Monday, November 30, 2020 that backs the U.S. Department of Homeland Security rules as it relates to the F-1 work benefits. Further details of […]
Court Sets Aside DOL and DHS Interim Final Rules Impacting Prevailing Wages and H-1B Requirements
December 2, 2020
On December 1, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California set aside both the Department of Labor (DOL) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) interim final rules which had been published on October 8, 2020. This means that the rules cannot be enforced or implemented. Read the court’s order and judgement, […]
DHS Proposed Rule on Duration of Status
September 30, 2020
On Friday, September 25, 2020, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed rule to eliminate duration of status (D/S) for F-1 students, J-1 Exchange Visitors, and their dependents, as well as other provisions that could impact on our international visitors. This is still a proposed rule and not currently in effect, and OIS […]
Presidential Proclamation Issued: Proclamation Suspending Entry of Aliens Who Present a Risk to the U.S. Labor Market Following the Coronavirus Outbreak
June 23, 2020
President Trump just issued a Presidential Proclamation, “Proclamation Suspending Entry of Aliens Who Present a Risk to the U.S. Labor Market Following the Coronavirus Outbreak,” effective immediately and until December 31, 2020. You can find a summary of this proclamation here. As it relates to our institution, this will impact: Those currently outside the U.S. […]
Brazil Travel Suspension
May 27, 2020
President Trump has issued another proclamation on May 24, 2020 that restricts travel to the United States by foreign nationals that were physically present in Brazil within a fourteen day period. What does this mean for our community? It means that a foreign national would not be able to enter the United States if they […]
Stimulus Payments and Unemployment Benefits and Public Charge…Oh, my!
April 29, 2020
If you were thinking of Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, specifically the “Lions and tigers and bears!, Oh, my!” scene, we understand. We are living in an extraordinary period and there has been a lot of communication and updates recently that may impact our international visitors. It can be hard to keep up with […]
Executive Order Suspending Entry of Immigrants
April 23, 2020
Yesterday, President Trump signed an executive order that suspends entry of to the U.S. for immigrants. You can find a summary from the American Immigration Lawyers’ Association (AILA) here. First and foremost, this executive order impacts those immigrant visa applications that are outside the U.S. and applying for lawful permanent residency status (also known as […]