On August 1, all U.S. employers will have the option to use the new “one-page” Form I-9 (edition date 08/01/2023). The new August 2023 Form I-9 and Instructions are only available in draft form before August 1, 2023 via the Federal Register posting. Employers may use the current version of Form I-9 (edition date 10/21/2019) …
Travel Restrictions and New Requirements for Air Travel
Just as the world breathed a sigh of relief for the easing of almost 18 months of travel restrictions, just as quickly did the feelings of dismay wash over viewers when it was revealed in Empire Strikes Back that Vader was Luke’s father, in one of the greatest plot twists in cinema. In a similar …
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U.S. Land Border Reopens to Non-Essential Vaccinated Travelers November 8
Monday, November 8, marks a reopening of international air travel for vaccinated foreign nationals as well as entry to the United States (U.S.) via the land border for non-essential vaccinated foreign visitors due to a recent announcement by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This change marks the first time since March of 2020 …
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Key September USCIS Process Updates
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a number of important updates in September of 2021. Four of the most significant updates include COVID-19 vaccination requirements for immigrant medical examination, extension of flexibility for responding to agency requests, lockbox filing location updates, and expansion of USCIS’ credit card payment pilot program. COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Immigration …
Remote Work Policy: Immigration and Post-COVID
As employers make adjustments to incorporate Remote Work Policies in a post-COVID world, employers with a foreign workforce must also carefully consider antiquated immigration rules for their Work from Home (WFH) workforce. Of all the nonimmigrant work visa sponsorships, the H-1B category is the most restrictive on worksite location and movement. The same strict rules …
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COVID-19 TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS SHELF LIFE UPDATE (through Jan. 1, 2020)
On December 31, 2020, President Trump extended Proclamations 10014 and 10052 noted in this article until March 31, 2021 with a requirement to review the proclamations for modifications every 30 days by the Secretaries of Homeland Security, State, and Labor. In the proclamation issued on December 31, 2020, President Trump continued to invoke economic conditions …
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Important Update on Recent DHS and DOL Rule Changes to the H-1B Program
On December 1, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued an order in connection with an industry group lawsuit against both the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The judge found that both Departments failed to properly follow standard U.S. legal procedures governing …
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All Aboard the U.S. Immigration Merry-Go-Round!
It’s becoming clichéd at this point to start off saying that 2020 has been an almost unbelievably, non-stop, surprise-filled year, in nearly all aspects of our lives. That’s particularly true for US immigration, but not necessarily only because of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on business and the economy. On top of the pandemic, …
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I-9 Covid Employment Verification Compliance: ICE announces continuance of I-9 compliance flexibility
On September 14, 2020, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced an extension of its flexibility provisions related to Form I-9 compliance, which ICE granted earlier this year. The extended flexibility requirements are intended to address situations in which employers’ entire operations are being conducted remotely due to Covid-19 concerns. The Department of Homeland Security …
USCIS COVID-19 Response: An Overview of the Resumption of In-Person Services
On March 18, 2020, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) temporarily suspended in-person services at their field offices, asylum offices and application support centers (ASCs) in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19). USCIS, however, continued to accept petitions, applications and requests while the offices were closed, and continued to perform all work not requiring in-person …
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