Video replays of the webinar, “State of the Workplace in 2021: Reopening in a Partially Vaccinated Environment and the New Administration,” are available.
Webinar: State of the Workplace in 2021: Reopening in a Partially Vaccinated Environment and the New Administration
Duane Morris will hold a webinar event, “State of the Workplace in 2021: Reopening in a Partially Vaccinated Environment and the New Administration,” on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern.
Please visit the event website for more information and to register.
COVID-19 Implications on Immigration Agency Interviews
If you are applying for certain immigration benefits, for example U.S. citizenship or a marriage-based green card, the last step of your immigration journey is an interview with a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Officer held at a local USCIS field office. There are certain procedural requirements to be met, including regarding the interview environment, your right to privacy, and your right to counsel, which have recently been changed given the COVID pandemic to ensure the safety of the officers, the applicants, and the general public. These changes bring up some strategic considerations for your preparation or legal representation at interview.
To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris attorney Teodora Purcell, please visit the Duane Morris Immigration Law Blog.
USCIS Extends I-9 Flexibility to September 19
USCIS has announced that its COVID-19 special flexibility provisions have been extended for another 30 days, until September 19.
To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Valentine A. Brown, please visit the Duane Morris Immigration Law Blog.
USCIS Issues Guidance on I-765 Employment Authorization Approval Notices for I-9 Verification amid COVID-19 Delays
Due to the extraordinary and unprecedented COVID-19 public health emergency, the production of certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) has been delayed. USCIS issued new guidance on August 19, 2020, authorizing employees to use Form I-797, Notice of Action, with a notice date on or after December 1, 2019, through and including August 20, 2020, stating the approval of an Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) as a Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, List C #7 document.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the Duane Morris website.
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.
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.
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.
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.
USCIS Announces I-9 and E-Verify Timing Waivers and Modifications in the wake of COVID-19
COVID-19 social distancing directives, State and Federal agency closures and remote work requirements have made it impossible for employers to comply with the normal I-9 and E-Verify regulations on timing and review of employee documents. To address these concerns, USCIS has announced several measures to extend time frames and loosen its normally strict requirements.
To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Valentine Brown, please visit the Duane Morris Immigration Blog.