Announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) announced major changes that will make it significantly tougher for employers to sponsor H-1B visas for qualified aliens. The changes require employers to pay significantly higher wages, narrow the types of degrees that can qualify an applicant, and shorten the length of visas for certain workers. » Read More

On September 11, 2020, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) extended the flexibilities in responding to various requests raised by the agency. The flexibility was originally announced on March 30 in response measure to the coronavirus pandemic. This measure will help applicants, petitioners, and requestors who must respond to the following: » Read More

Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) conducted a series of operations in July and August, arresting over 2,000 illegal immigrants from 20 counties with a majority of those having criminal charges or convictions. The “at-large” arrests took place across the country at residences, worksites, and traffic stops. » Read More

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have announced the flexibility in certain Form I-9 verification procedures have been extended until September 19, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is applicable only for employers working remotely. » Read More

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced an extension of flexibility in complying with the Form I-9 requirements. This was originally extended on March 19, 2020, due to the COVID-19 national emergency. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has decided to extend this policy once again for an additional period of 30 days. » Read More

The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled many states to issue stay-at-home orders, which has called for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to issue a temporary policy regarding the expired List B documents used for the renewal of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. » Read More

A recent report analyzing “the experiences of low-wage immigrant workers and families in New Jersey during the first month of the COVID-19 crisis,” found that “immigrant communities have experienced extreme harm” as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes limited access to health care services, no unemployment compensation, and pervasive employer conduct—all of which have led to increased anxiety, insecurity, and COVID-19 infection spread in immigrant communities. » 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 COVID-19 pandemic has expanded the eligibility of American employees for employment-related benefits, including medical leave and unemployment compensation. As the Norris McLaughlin employment law blog, Norris in the Workplace, first reported, President Donald Trump, on March 18, 2020, signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), “which provides paid leave under the Family Medical Leave Act and paid sick leave for absences resulting from COVID-19.” » Read More

With testing for the COVID-19 pandemic expected to increase across the United States and a determination to test the entire U.S. population to determine COVID-19 immunity before a true reopening of the economy, the nearly 44.7 million immigrants lawfully in the United States and over 16 million undocumented immigrants living under the radar have expressed concerns as to their ability to seek testing and treatment, if at all. » Read More