More immigration news is coming your way. This week important updates have been released for F-1 students seeking post-completion Optional Practical Training in certain STEM-related fields of study. DHS Issues Advance Copy of STEM Designated Degree Program List for post-completion Optional Practical Training If you are an international student studying…
Articles Posted in Federal Register
Biden administration extends TPS protections for Yemeni Nationals, Re-Registration Period Opens Tomorrow July 9th
Welcome back to Visalawyerblog! We hope you had a wonderful fourth of July weekend with your family and loved ones. In this blog post, we share with you some exciting news for Yemeni nationals receiving benefits under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program. The Biden administration has made the decision…
This Week in Immigration: USCIS Cancels Appointments on January 19-20, Countries Eligible for H-2A and H-2B Visa Program, and the Presidential Inauguration
Happy Monday! Welcome back to Visalawyerblog. We start off the week with some interesting immigration updates. USCIS Updates – ASC and Interview Appointments Scheduled on January 19th and 20th will be Rescheduled In anticipation of the Presidential inauguration on January 20, 2021, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)…
Trump Administration Publishes Final Rule in Federal Register Introducing New 6 Month Visa Bond Pilot Program for B-1/B-2 Visa Applicants
In the few months remaining in the Trump presidency, the Trump administration continues to pass laws and regulations that make it more difficult for immigrants and nonimmigrants to enter the United States. Most recently, the administration has targeted the B-1/B-2 temporary business visitor/tourist visa program. On November 24, 2020, the…
Public Charge Rule Remains in Place After Seventh Circuit Stays Lower Court Decision
Welcome back to Visalawyerblog! Happy Friday. In this post we bring you very important yet unfortunate news regarding ongoing litigation in the fight to invalidate the public charge rule known as “Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds.” As we previously reported, on November 2, 2020, a federal judge from the U.S.…
DHS Publishes Proposed Changes to I-864 Affidavit of Support in Federal Register
In this post we discuss a new proposed rule published by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that seeks to amend regulations governing Form, I-864 Affidavit of Support. The I-864 Affidavit of Support is a required form that must be completed by the person petitioning the foreign national, in order…
DOS Announces Consular Officials Will NOT Apply Public Charge Rule to Visa Applicants Pursuant to Court Order
We have great news for visa applicants regarding the public charge rule. On August 7, 2020, the U.S. Department of State issued an important update explaining that the agency will be complying with the July 29th injunction issued by a federal judge in the United States District Court for the…
Harvard and MIT Lead the Fight for International Students: Lawsuit Filed Challenging New Guidelines Prohibiting Online Instruction
We have news that may be some relief to international students across the United States. Today, Wednesday, July 8, 2020, Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) filed a lawsuit in District Court in Boston against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),…
BREAKING NEWS: SEVP Changes F-1 and M-1 Rules – Online Instruction for the Upcoming Fall 2020 Semester is Prohibited
Today, Monday, July 6, 2020, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a news release introducing new modifications taken by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) that will apply to all international students in F-1 and M-1 status taking courses during this upcoming Fall 2020 semester. The…
USCIS Proposes Sweeping Changes to Affidavit of Support
The government is yet again proposing sweeping changes to current immigration policy, this time targeting Form I-864, Affidavit of Support. By law, petitioners seeking to immigrate their immediate relative to the United States are required to submit Form I-864 affidavit of support, to ensure to the government that the foreign…