Immigration News

The Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF) provision, enacted on Dec. 20, 2019, provides a path for certain Liberians living in the United States to become lawful permanent residents (obtain green cards). Applications must be received by USCIS by December 20, 2020, leaving just over four months left to apply. To be eligible for permanent residence under the LIRF, you must meet the...

On Wednesday, July 29, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York issued two orders halting the application of public charge changes that were implemented in the last few years. These orders have nationwide effect during the COVID-19 emergency. First, the court enjoined USCIS  from applying the 8/14/2019 USCIS Final Rule on Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds for...

On Friday, July 31, USCIS announced a final rule that adjusts filing fees for numerous USCIS forms. Most of the fees have increased, while a few have decreased. Any forms postmarked on or after October 2, 2020, must include the new fee. FormCurrent FeeNew Fee effective 10/2/2020Fee increase or decreaseI-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (online...

On July 28, DHS issued a memorandum “Reconsideration of the June 15, 2012 Memorandum Entitled ‘Exercising Prosecutorial Discretion with Respect to Individuals Who Came to the United States as Children.” https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/20_0728_s1_daca-reconsideration-memo.pdf In the memo, DHS states that pending a “full reconsideration of the DACA...

Did you know there is a provision of law providing a path to permanent residence for people who entered the U.S. prior to 1972, even individuals who entered the country without inspection (unlawfully) and/or who do not have a family member or employer to sponsor them? You may be eligible for a green card (permanent residence) under Registry if you meet the following criteria: You...

On Friday, July 17, the Department of State updated its website to provide information on limited exceptions to Presidential Proclamations 10014 and 10052. The guidance indicates that a traveler who believes his/her travel falls into one of the following categories, or is otherwise in the national interest, should request an appointment at the applicable consulate/embassy. Per the...

A federal court ruled today that the administration must accept new Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) applications. The ruling follows the administration’s failure to so following last month’s ruling by the Supreme Court. Instead of accepting new applications, USCIS as been issuing rejection notices. Today’s ruling confirms that USCIS must accept new...

On Tuesday, July 14, DHS agreed to fully rescind the July 6, 2020 guidance that changed the policy regarding online courses and would have forced many international students to leave the country. The announcement came during litigation filed by Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) challenging the new policy. The lawsuit alleged that the policy change appeared...

The U.S. Department of State announced Tuesday that it is beginning to phase in routine visa services at the U.S. embassies. These services have been suspended since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The resumption of routine visa services will occur on a embassy-by-embassy basis, and the timeline for each embassy depends on local factors in the particular country, including medical...

On Monday, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) announced modifications for Fall 2020 semester that will affect many F-1 and M-1 nonimmigrant students. Previously, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, SEVP instituted a temporary exemption allowing students to take more online courses during the Spring and Summer semesters than normally permitted. However, for Fall semester, SEVP is...