Immigration News and Policy Updates
The latest news and policy updates from Envoy Global and our affiliated law firm, Global Immigration Associates, P.C.
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Biden Administration Announces Plans for Broad Immigration Reform
President Joe Biden sent an extensive immigration reform bill to Congress today shortly after his inauguration. Additionally, he signed a series of executive orders related to immigration.
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Biden Plans to Reinstate COVID-19 Travel Restrictions for the UK, Europe and Brazil
The incoming Biden administration has announced plans to block President Trump’s executive order ending COVID-19 travel bans in Europe and Brazil.
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Updated: Department of Labor Announces LCA Filing Changes for Third-Party Employers
On January 15, 2021, the DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) published an updated H-1B program bulletin revising its Labor Condition Application (LCA) filing.
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Former DHS Secretary Chad Wolf Issues Memo Ratifying Certain Regulations
On January 14, 2021, former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Chad Wolf issued a memo ratifying several measures.
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New U.S. COVID-19 Restrictions to Begin on January 26, 2021
The CDC issued an Order on Jan. 12, 2021 requiring all inbound travelers to the U.S. to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 beginning Jan. 26.
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Department of Labor Publishes H-1B Prevailing Wage Rule with Phased Implementation Plan
The DOL published the H-1B Prevailing Wage Final Rule in the Federal Register on Jan. 14, 2021. The agency outlined the rule’s phased implementation plan, with new wage levels effective Jul. 1, 2021.
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Department of Labor Announces Final Rule to Strengthen Wage Protections for Foreign Workers
On Jan. 12, 2021, the DOL announced that it will issue a Final Rule to increase and reform prevailing wages for foreign worker programs on Jan. 14, 2021, to be implemented in 60 days.
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Envoy Immigration Policy Survey Brief
find out what we learned from U.S. employers about the state of employment-based immigration, the impact of implemented policies, future concerns and potential opportunities.
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DHS Publishes Final H-1B Cap Lottery Wage-Based Selection Rule in Federal Register
On January 8, 2021, DHS published a final rule in the Federal Register that modifies the H-1B CAP lottery selection process. The final rule is effective March 9, 2021.
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January 2021 Visa Bulletin Released with Advancements in Employment-Based Categories
The January 2021 Visa Bulletin will bring advancement in employment-based categories. USCIS will use the Final Action Date chart in January 2021.
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CDC Issues Order Requiring Negative Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test Result for All Airline Passengers Arriving from the United Kingdom
On Dec. 25, 2020, the CDC issued an Order requiring proof of a negative COVID-19 test result for all air passengers arriving from the UK to the U.S., including U.S. Citizens and LPRs.
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In-Person Nonimmigrant Visa Interview Requirements Waived Through March 31, 2021
Following the extension of P.P. 10014 and 10052 through March 31, 2021, DHS will continue to waive in-person interview requirements for certain nonimmigrant visas.
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Visa Suspensions Extended Through March 31, 2021
President Trump has extended Presidential Proclamations (P.P.) 10014 and 10052. The two proclamations, which suspend immigrant and nonimmigrant work visas, will remain in effect through Mar. 31, 2021.
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U.S.-CA-MX Border Closures Extended Through January 21, 2021
North American land borders will remain closed through January 21, 2021. U.S.-CA and U.S.-MX land borders have been closed since March 21, 2020 due to COVID-19.
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DOL Announces PERM and PWD Processing Time Updates
The Department of Labor has updated permanent labor certification (PERM) and prevailing wage determination (PWD) processing times as of November 30, 2020.
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DOL Provides Compliance Update with Court Orders on PERM and H-1B Minimum Wages
The DOL will return to pre-Oct. 8, 2020 PERM and H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 OES wage data. The announcement follows two court orders blocking the agency from continuing to implement the rule nationwide.
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Joe Biden's Immigration Plan: What to expect
A closer look at President-elect Biden’s plans for immigration reform in the U.S.
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USCIS Extends I-9 Temporary Measures due to EAD Processing Delays
USCIS has extended temporary I-9 employment verification measures through February 1, 2021. The temporary measures were scheduled to expire on December 1, 2020.
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Federal District Court Judge Rules OPT Program is Lawful
On Nov. 30, a U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that foreign students can remain in the U.S. to work through the DHS’s Optional Practical Training (OPT) program after graduation.
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[Updated] New York District Court Orders DHS to Accept New DACA Program Applications
On Dec. 4, 2020, a U.S. District Court in Brooklyn, NY ordered DHS to accept new DACA applications. DHS must notify the public by Dec. 7, 2020 that it will accept and adjudicate new applications.
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