Immigration – Page 2 – Coronavirus (COVID-19)

June 8, 2020June 8, 2020 by Duane Morris

DOL Rescinds Extensions to Meet PERM Deadlines During the COVID-19 Pandemic

On June 4, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) rescinded deadline extensions it had instituted on March 20 to help employers meet PERM requirements during the pandemic. Unfortunately, employers sponsoring foreign national employees for PERM labor certification-based green cards will for now receive no further accommodations from the DOL during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris attorney Susanne Heubel, please visit the Duane Morris Immigration Law Blog.

June 1, 2020June 1, 2020 by Duane Morris

USCIS Premium Processing, Suspended for COVID-19, Returns for Nonimmigrant and Worker Visa Petitions

On May 29, 2020, USCIS announced that it will resume premium processing for Form I-129 petitions for nonimmigrant workers and Form I-140 immigrant visa petitions in phases over the next month. USCIS had suspended premium processing on March 20, 2020, partially in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.

May 29, 2020September 1, 2020 by Duane Morris

Resumption of In-Person Operations for USCIS in June

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) plans to reopen its offices on or after June 4, 2020. The USCIS temporarily suspended its in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers (ASCs) to help slow the spread of coronavirus . USCIS field offices will send notices by mail to applicants and petitioners with rescheduled appointments and naturalization ceremonies impacted by the temporary closure.

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris attorney Teodora Purcell, please visit the Duane Morris Immigration Law Blog.

May 27, 2020 by Duane Morris

Eligibility to Enter Vietnam During COVID-19 Emergency

Currently the Government of Vietnam still maintains suspension of entry for expats, including people with a Vietnamese visa exemption certificate. A potential date to allow foreigners to enter Vietnam again has not been formally announced by the Government yet, though further information is expected imminently.

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Giles Cooper, please visit the Duane Morris Vietnam Blog.

May 18, 2020September 1, 2020 by Duane Morris

Considerations for Posting PERM Notice for Remote Workers After COVID-19

Rapid changes in remote work requirements and availability are playing havoc with the PERM process for employers (the process under which employers must conduct a test of the U.S. labor market as part of the green card process for their foreign national employees). Due to rising unemployment and availability of U.S. workers, increased audits and scrutiny by the DOL are expected in the short and long term, making it imperative that employers have all of their I’s dotted and T’s crossed when completing the PERM steps.

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris attorney Susanne Heubel, please visit the Duane Morris Immigration Law Blog.

May 8, 2020 by Duane Morris

Recent USCIS, DHS, DOS and DOL Changes in Response to COVID-19

As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, several governmental entities have recently made further updates to their policies and operations. Last week, USCIS announced that for certain types of requests for evidence and notices (such as Notices of Intent to Deny or Revoke) as well as appeals issued between March 1 and July 1, 2020, inclusive, USCIS will consider responses received within 60 calendar days after the response due date set in the request or notice before taking any action. In regard to the I-9 process, the Department of Homeland Security announced that, beginning May 1, 2020, Form I-9 List B identity documents set to expire on or after March 1, 2020, and not otherwise extended by the issuing authority, may be treated the same as if the employee presented a valid receipt for an acceptable document for Form I-9 purposes.

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.

April 22, 2020April 22, 2020 by Duane Morris

President Announces the Drafting of an Order to Temporarily Suspend Legal Permanent Immigration to the United States in Reaction to COVID-19 Pandemic

President Trump announced at an April 21 press conference that he would sign an executive order temporarily suspending certain individuals seeking permanent resident (green card) status in the United States. The president is expected to sign the suspension order this week, and its scope appears to be limited only to green card applicants at this time.

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.

April 20, 2020September 4, 2020 by Duane Morris

COVID19 Planning – Ramping Up vs. Flipping a Switch: Getting Back to Business as Usual?

Duane Morris will host a webinar, “COVID19 Planning – Ramping Up vs. Flipping a Switch: Getting Back to Business as Usual?,” to be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time. Duane Morris attorneys Meagan E. Garland, Teodora D. Purcell and Brooke B. Tabshouri will be the speakers. For more information and a link to register, please visit the firm website.

April 10, 2020September 1, 2020 by Duane Morris

Determining Immigrants’ Tax Status under the CARES Act

The CARES Act of March 27, 2020, provides $2 trillion in direct financial assistance, including paid leave, unemployment insurance benefits, and rebates to eligible individuals. Immigrants and foreign nationals in the United States may be eligible for some or all of these benefit, depending on the circumstances.

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris attorney Teodora Purcell, please visit the Duane Morris Immigration Law Blog.

April 9, 2020September 1, 2020 by Duane Morris

Webinar: H-1B and Nonimmigration Visas: Lay-offs, Grace Periods and Changes in Employment Due to COVID-19

This webinar, featuring Duane Morris partners Valentine Brown, Lisa Spiegel and Ted Chiappari, will be held on April 14, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time.

This webinar will address various immigration issues organizations need to be aware of including:

• H-1B Work and Compensation Rules
• USCIS Updates to Processing
• Travel restrictions and available exceptions
• Immigration Strategy and Long term planning
• What if the US Postal Service suspends operation
• What if USCIS Service Centers Close
• Planning an adjudication for employer-sponsored green cards

For more information or to register, please visit the Duane Morris Institute website.