Cap Reached for Additional Returning Worker H-2B Visas for FY 2021

 Under the recently announced H-2B supplemental cap temporary final rule, USCIS has received enough petitions to reach the cap for the additional 16,000 H-2B visas made available for returning workers only. We continue to accept petitions for H-2B nonimmigrant workers for the additional 6,000 visas allotted for nationals of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador (collectively called the Northern Triangle).

We began accepting H-2B petitions on May 25 under the temporary final rule increasing the cap by up to 22,000 additional H-2B nonimmigrant visas through the end of fiscal year (FY) 2021. Of the 22,000 additional visas, 16,000 were available only for returning workers. The remaining 6,000 visas are initially set aside for nationals from the Northern Triangle who are exempt from the returning worker requirement. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/cap-reached-for-additional-returning-worker-h-2b-visas-for-fy-2021

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS Announces Pilot Program for Credit Card Payments Using Form G-1450 When Filing Form I-485

 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced a pilot program for accepting credit card payments using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, for U nonimmigrants filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.

The pilot program began on May 3 at the Nebraska Service Center and will be limited to this location. The service center started accepting credit card payments from certain Form I-485 applicants using Form G-1450. Applicants must be U nonimmigrants (victims of criminal activity). Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-announces-pilot-program-for-credit-card-payments-using-form-g-1450-when-filing-form-i-485

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

Updated Guidance on Naturalization for Veterans Living Overseas

 We are updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to provide clarification regarding certain naturalization applications filed by veterans of the U.S. armed forces under section 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

INA section 329 permits certain veterans who served and were honorably discharged from the military but are not lawful permanent residents (LPRs) to file an Application for Naturalization (Form N-400) to naturalize under INA 329 even if they are currently residing outside the United States. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/updated-guidance-on-naturalization-for-veterans-living-overseas

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

USCIS Eases Visitor Restrictions for Fully Vaccinated Individuals

 Due to updated guidance from the CDC, USCIS has updated its visitor policy. Fully vaccinated individuals no longer have to wear a face covering. Individuals two years old and older who are not fully vaccinated must still wear a face covering.

To be considered fully vaccinated, it must be at least two weeks after receiving a second dose in a two-dose series or at least two weeks after receiving a dose of a single-dose vaccine. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-eases-visitor-restrictions-for-fully-vaccinated-individuals

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

ICE announces extension, new employee guidance to I-9 compliance flexibility

 WASHINGTON – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) today announced an extension of the flexibilities in rules related to Form I-9 compliance that was initially granted last year. Due to the continued precautions related to COVID-19, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will extend this policy until Aug. 31, 2021. Read more at: https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ice-announces-extension-new-employee-guidance-i-9-compliance-flexibility-0

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

DHS Announces Open Registration for Temporary Protected Status for Burma

 WASHINGTON—The Department of Homeland Security today published a Federal Register notice (FRN) designating Burma for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, effective May 25, 2021, through Nov. 25, 2022. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas previously announced on March 12 that Burma would be designated for TPS. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/dhs-announces-open-registration-for-temporary-protected-status-for-burma

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.

U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Labor Issue Joint Rule Supplementing H-2B Visa Cap

 WASHINGTON—The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) have published a joint temporary final rule making available an additional 22,000 H-2B temporary nonagricultural guest worker visas for fiscal year (FY) 2021 to employers who are likely to suffer irreparable harm without these additional workers. Of the supplemental visas, 6,000 are reserved for nationals of the Northern Triangle countries of Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala. Read more at: https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/us-departments-of-homeland-security-and-labor-issue-joint-rule-supplementing-h-2b-visa-cap

Contact Darren Heyman, immigration attorney, for more information.