The U.S. State Department has announced a temporary halt on immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries, effective Jan. 21, 2026. This pause comes as the department reassesses its vetting procedures under existing immigration law, specifically focusing on the public charge rule — a determination of whether an applicant is likely to require long-term
On Sept. 25, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated its Policy Manual to clarify the calculation of the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) age for noncitizens seeking CSPA protection under the “extraordinary circumstances” exception. By way of background, CSPA protects dependent children from “aging out” and becoming ineligible for permanent residence as derivative
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued updated guidance in its Policy Manual, which makes a key change in the interpretation of when an immigrant visa number “becomes available” for the purpose of calculating a child’s age under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA). Under this new guidance, starting Feb. 14, 2023, USCIS will
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has updated its admission system and has begun issuing I-94 admission records containing employment authorization notations for newly-admitted L2 and E spouses. While CBP has not officially announced the change, effective Jan. 31, 2022, the agency began issuing I-94 admission records with the following notations reflecting work authorization incident
The Department of State (DOS) has noticed for public comment an Information Collection Review – Electronic Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration that would require immigrants coming to the United States to submit five years of social media history. This effort is viewed by many as a component of “enhanced vetting” on behalf of the Administration following domestic terrorist activities.
Continue Reading DOS Proposes Rule Requiring Review of Social Media for U.S. Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Visa Applicants
On Nov. 9, Nataliya Rymer (Of Counsel, Philadelphia) presented an immigration workshop at The Garage at Northwestern University. The workshop focused on immigration law issues including non-immigrant and immigrant visa options and DACA, and discussed challenges and opportunities for international students, faculty, and staff looking to start or run a business in the United States.
Continue Reading Greenberg Traurig’s Nataliya Rymer Presents Immigration Workshop at Northwestern University’s The Garage
On Sept. 24, 2017, President Trump issued a Proclamation with visa and travel restrictions. It imposed new limitations on nonimmigrant and immigrant visa issuance and travel to the United States for citizens/nationals of Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, and Somalia. The Proclamation came after two Executive Orders imposing travel bans were issued earlier this year but were delayed in implementation by the federal courts.
Continue Reading Ninth Circuit Allows Partial Implementation of President Trump’s Proclamation on Travel Ban
USCIS has issued a new online tutorial for immigrants that will help determine when a Form I-485, Application for Adjustment of Status, can be filed with USCIS. For those immigrants who have a family-based or employment-based immigrant petition filed or approved on their behalf, the new Visa Bulletin tutorial details how to determine your priority
On Aug. 26, 2016, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a notice of proposed rulemaking for an International Entrepreneur Rule, and provided an advance version of the proposed rule for public review.
According to an announcement from USCIS, the proposed rule will allow the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to exercise discretion, on a