Parole Expansion Announced for Nicaraguan, Cuban, and Haitian Nationals
President Biden announced an expansion of parole from Venezuelans to Nicaraguan, Cuban, and Haitian Nationals. Parole is a discretionary mechanism whereby USCIS, CBP, and ICE may allow non-citizens to enter and stay in the United States temporarily. It is not official status.
ImmigrationUSA and International Legal and Business Services Group Announces Expansion
International Legal and Business Services Group (ILBSG) is expanding to two more states to better serve clients in different time zones across the United States. New offices have been established in California and South Carolina.
Supplemental Complaint Filed Against DACA
A total of nine states have filed a supplemental complaint challenging Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). They urge the Texas federal judge to rule against the Biden Administration’s final rule from August 2022 on the basis that the program is not lawful. The group claims the same flaws exist in the Biden version as the Obama administration program. This DACA complaint is the latest in a long history of legal challenges.
USCIS Proposes Fee Updates
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) completed their bi-annual review of fees, noting that 96% of the costs incurred by the organization are paid through fees, not government funding. To that end, they noted that their costs are not currently being covered.
Travelers Via China to the U.S. Require Proof of a Negative COVID Test
Effective January 5, 2023, all travelers from China, including Hong Kong and Macau, must present a negative COVID test in order to enter the U.S. The policy aims to limit the potential spread of COVID in the U.S. as China seemingly faces a surge. Part of the issue is the lack of transparency from China in terms of the extent of the surge in that country.
Supreme Court Extends Title 42
The next chapter in the ongoing battle over the Trump-era immigration policy known as Title 42 reached the Supreme Court. The Court ruled in favor of continuing the policy, for now.
January 2023 Visa Bulletin: EB-1 Retrogression for Indian and Chinese Nationals
The January 2023 Visa Bulletin shows retrogression for EB-1 for India and China. No movement on the family-based visas.
Permanent Visa Issuance in the U.S. Shows Upward Trend After Pandemic
During 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant decline in permanent visa approvals, as processing at U.S. consulates and embassies came to a virtual halt. However, the Department of State has announced that immigrant visa approvals have “returned to pre-pandemic levels,” in the 2022 fiscal year.
Updates to U.S. Consulates in India Visa Appointment
Visa appointments continue to be extremely limited for U.S. Consulates in India. The goal is to return to typical, pre-COVID processing capabilities by September 2023. However, some limited availability has been announced for some visa categories.
EAGLE Act to Eliminate Per Country Cap Stalls
The Equal Access to Green Cards for Legal Employment (EAGLE) Act that proposed ending the per-country cap for green cards is no longer scheduled for a vote in the current session of Congress. It’s future remains to be seen as support has varied from both Democrats and Republicans.