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News & EventsDepartment of State Issues Further Guidance on National Interest Exception to Presidential Proclamation
On June 22, 2020, President Donald Trump signed Presidential Proclamation 10052 which suspended entry into the U.S. of certain non-immigrant applicants including H-1B, L-1, and J-1 visa applicants. The Proclamation provided a list of exceptions to the entry suspension...
USCIS Responds to Federal Court Injunction on Public Charge Rule
On July 29, 2020, U.S. District Court of the Southern District of New York Judge George B. Daniels issued a nationwide preliminary injunction against the “public charge rule” enforced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the duration of the COVID-19...
USCIS Adjusting Fees Effective October 2, 2020
On July 31, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a final rule that adjusts fees for certain immigration and naturalization benefit requests. The final rule is effective October 2, 2020. Any application, petition, or request postmarked on or after...
August 2020 Visa Bulletin Issued
The Department of State (DOS) has issued its August 2020 Visa Bulletin. Most notably, nearly all chargeability areas for EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 have made steady advancement. EB-1-Worldwide: Priority dates are current, except: China: Priority...
Department of State Addresses Exemptions for Entry Ban
On July 16, 2020, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) issued two statements addressing exemptions to the Trump Administration's recent proclamations that restrict immigrant and nonimmigrant entry into the U.S. European Schengen Area, U.K., and Ireland Entry Bans The...
Trump Administration Rescinds Directive Regarding F-1 Students
In a reversal of events, the Trump Administration agreed to rescind a directive regarding F-1 students who would have been required to leave the U.S. if their schools during the Fall 2020 semester were operating entirely online. This decision was made following...
Impact on F-1 Students During Fall 2020 Semester
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) announced that foreign nationals on F-1 visas (as well as M-1 vocational students) attending schools during the Fall 2020 semester that are operating entirely online will not be permitted to take a full online course...
President Trump’s Proclamation Suspending Entry of H-1B, L-1, and J-1 visa Applicants and Extending the Entry Suspension of Immigrant Visa Applicants
On Monday, June 22, President Trump issued a proclamation effective on midnight June 24, 2020, suspending the entry of H-1B, L-1, and J-1 visa applicants, and extending the existing suspension of entry of immigrant applicants until December 31, 2020. Who is Affected?...
USCIS Resumes Limited In-Person Services
After suspending non-emergency services at offices on March 18, 2020 USCIS reopened offices for some face-to-face services on June 4, 2020. Visitors must wear masks or facial coverings and may not enter USCIS offices if they have any symptoms of COVID-19 or had close...
July 2020 Visa Bulletin Issued
The Department of State (DOS) has issued its July 2020 Visa Bulletin. Most notably, all chargeability areas for EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 have made steady advancement. EB-1-Worldwide: Priority dates are current, except: China: Priority date of...