News & Announcements

Presidential Proclamation 10052, which temporarily suspended the entry to the U.S. of certain H-1B, H-2B, L nonimmigrants, and certain J Exchange Visitors, expired on March 31, 2021. Click on title for full details.

On February 24, 2021, President Biden released a Proclamation revoking the prior administration’s suspension of immigrant visas due to the 2019 corona virus outbreak (Proclamation 10014, section 1 of Proclamation 10052 and section 1 of Proclamation 10131). The “immigrant” visa allows an individual to enter the US as a permanent resident (I-551 stamp). 

On January 20, 2021 President Biden issued a Proclamation on Ending Discriminatory Bans on Entry to The United States. This Proclamation revokes the following Executive Orders issued by the Trump Administration, also known as the “Travel Bans”. Click on title for full details.

On January 25, 2021, President Biden signed an Executive Order to maintain the COVID travel restrictions for entry to the U.S. within 14 days of being physically present in Brazil and most countries of Europe (Schengen countries, including the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland). Click on title for full details.

On December 31, 2020, the Trump administration announced the extension of two policies regarding some immigrant and visa entries. Click on title for full details.

As a result of a court ruling on December 1, the two rules affecting the H-1B and E-3 visa programs, and PERM Labor Certifications that were described in our Update of October 19, 2020, are no longer in effect. Click on title to see full details.

On Friday, October 16, 2020, the US Department of Homeland Security published an Announcement indicating the fee for “premium processing” of applications by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will rise from $1440 to $2500 effective October 19, 2020. Click on title for full details.

Department Of Labor Publishes Rule: “Strengthening Wage Protections for the Temporary and Permanent Employment of Certain Aliens in the United States." and Department of Homeland Security  Publishes Rule: “Strengthening the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Classification Program”. Click on title for full details.

On September 29, a US District Court ruled that USCIS/Department of Homeland Security may not charge increased application fees on October 2, 2020. New fees and form versions associated with that rule that were to be required on October 2, 2020, as well as all other aspects of the 2020 USCIS fee rule, are now on hold. Click on title for full details. 

Ongoing developments, new guidance and U.S. agency clarification are coming out frequently. This update is based on the most current information available at this time. Click on title for full details.

On April 19, 2017, the Washington D.C. District Court dismissed Washington Alliance of Technology Workers’ June 17, 2016 lawsuit regarding extensions of Post Completion Practical Training for foreign students who graduate from US universities in STEM fields (STEM OPT).