U.S. Consulates to Prioritize Immigrant Visa Backlog
The Biden administration announced this week that it was directing U.S. embassies and consulates a priority on the processing of fiancé(e) visas and permanent residence visas (better known as “green cards”). The announcement reverses course from the previous administration, which had halted most green card applications filed abroad. » Read More
President Biden Ends Restrictions on Permanent Residence Visas
On Wednesday, the Biden administration announced it was rescinding a Trump-era order halting the issuance of permanent residence visas to most family members of United States citizens and current permanent residents.
The order barred anyone other than the spouse or minor child of a U.S. » Read More
President, Democrats Present Immigration Reform Bill
On Thursday, President Biden and Congressional Democrats released a long-awaited, sweeping bill to provide immigration reform in the United States. New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez will introduce the bill to the U.S. Senate.
The bill will affect millions of individuals, both those currently in the United States and those looking to immigrate to the United States in the future. » Read More
On January 26, 2021, a federal judge in Texas, following a challenge by the Texas State Attorney General’s Office, issued a 14-day nationwide temporary restraining order blocking the enforcement of President Biden’s 100-day pause on most deportations as part of his many executive actions regarding immigration. » Read More
The United States Supreme Court on December 18, 2020, rejected a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s plan to keep undocumented immigrants out of the census count. This gave the administration a partial victory, which could be temporary. The Supreme Court ruled 6-3, delivering a blow to the Democrats and immigration advocates. » Read More
On November 13, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced changes to the U.S. citizenship test that lawful permanent residents must pass to naturalize as U.S. citizens. The revisions have increased the number of questions from 100 to 128. Immigrants will be tested on 20 of the questions and must answer 12 correctly, up from six out of ten. » Read More
Last week, the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) announced plans to expand the use of biometric data in determining family relationships for immigration purposes. A proposed rule with the new protocols for biometrics use is expected to be published soon. This rule is also said to allow more uses of new technology as they become available. » Read More
As promised, last night, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order that limits the ability of certain future immigrant visa applicants to enter the United States as lawful permanent residents, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The President’s Executive Order, the “Proclamation Suspending Entry of Immigrants Who Present Risk to the U.S. » Read More
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created an immigration nightmare with changes announced with each passing minute and a level of uncertainty that has only compounded the uncertainty in an already confused and complicated immigration system. Borders across the world have closed to non-citizens. » Read More
