Eligible Hong Kong Residents May Apply for EADs and Travel Authorization U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today issued a Federal Register notice with information on how to apply for employment authorization for eligible Hong Kong residents covered under the president’s Aug. 5 memorandum directing Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for 18 months, through Feb. 5, 2023. DED for Hong …
Justice, Labor Departments Reach Settlements with Facebook Resolving Claims of Discrimination Against U.S. Workers
The U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Labor today announced separate settlement agreements with Facebook regarding its use of the permanent labor certification program (PERM). The Justice Department’s settlement resolves its claims that Facebook routinely refused to recruit, consider or hire U.S. workers, a group that includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, asylees, …
What You Should Know and Do About Your USCIS Receipt Notice
Whenever you send an application or petition to the USCIS, you should expect a “receipt notice,” or Form I-797C which is titled Notice of Action. Typically, applicants get the receipt notice about 2 to 4 weeks after the USCIS receives the application. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind about your USCIS receipt …
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5 STEPS FOREIGN-BORN DOCTORS NEED TO TAKE FOR EB-1 GREEN CARD VICTORY
Most doctors get a green card through an employer’s sponsorship of the labor certification process. Depending upon your country of birth, it can take anywhere from two to 10+ years to get a green card this way. And if you don’t have an employer willing to sponsor, then labor certification is not an option at …
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Proposed Congressional Bills Offer Paths to Legal Immigration Status
In recent years, support for a pathway to legal status for undocumented people has become increasingly popular, especially because many are essential workers and have community ties such as spouses and children. FWD.us polling has shown that the majority of the U.S. public favor creating a pathway to legalization, ensuring the stability that undocumented families …
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Secretary Mayorkas Announces Designation of Croatia as a New Participant in the Visa Waiver Program
Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas, in coordination with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, designated Croatia as a new participant in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Starting no later than December 1, 2021, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will be updated to allow citizens and nationals of Croatia to apply to travel to …
What Happens to Immigration if the Government Shuts Down
If Congress and the President don't reach an agreement on the budget by September 30, 2021, the government will shut down on Friday. That means all but essential government employees will be furloughed and not allowed to work. Consequently, many government services will be available. Immigration services are generally not affected because they are funded …
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USCIS to Welcome 21,000 New Citizens in Celebration of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day this year by welcoming 21,000 new citizens in 335 naturalization ceremonies across the country between Sept. 17 and 23. “It is an honor to welcome so many new Americans this Citizenship Day and Constitution Day,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. “Citizenship Day …
CDC Requires COVID-19 Vaccination for Green Card Applicants and Refugees Starting October 1
Starting October 1st, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all green card applicants and refugees. Vaccination requirements for immigration are not new. In fact, proof of many other vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) are required when applying for a green card. Procedurally, an …
DHS Continues Temporary Protected Status Designations for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan
The Department of Homeland Security has announced the automatic extension of TPS designations for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan. TPS beneficiaries from these six countries will retain their status, provided they continue to meet all the individual requirements for TPS eligibility. The automatic extension of TPS-related documentation includes Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) …
Ann Massey Badmus 