The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), under Secretary Kristi Noem, has announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghan nationals residing in the United States. The notice of termination, recently published in the Federal Register, and effective July 14, 2025, follows a review of conditions in Afghanistan
Continue Reading Termination of TPS for Afghans Effective July 14, 2025: Implications and Legal ChallengeBy: Victoria Ma
Seyfarth Synopsis: In its continued efforts to increase efficiency and reduce burdens to the overall immigration system, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the expansion of premium processing for certain F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) and F-1 students seeking science, technology, engineering, and
Continue Reading USCIS Expands Premium Processing Eligibility to Certain F-1 Students Seeking OPT or STEM OPT Extensions and Makes Online Filing AvailableAs many of us started to think about weekend plans, this afternoon, USCIS promised us an interesting Monday with its latest announcement. Effective Monday, October 19, 2020, the premium processing fee associated with the expedited 15 day review of eligible petitions filed with USCIS will increase from $1,440 to $2,500.
Continue Reading USCIS Premium Processing Fee Increase
On April 24, 2020, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a targeted reopening date of June 4, 2020 for offices that are currently closed in response to COVID-19.
What is impacted by this reopening announcement?
This impacts offices that provide in-person services, including field offices, asylum offices and application support centers (ASCs). On March 18, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services temporarily suspended in-person services at these offices to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Continue Reading USCIS to Reopen Offices on June 4th
Seyfarth Synopsis: The President’s Proclamation will pause the issuance of immigrant visas for those seeking lawful permanent residence (Green Card) status through consular processing at posts outside of the U.S. for the next 60 days. This order is limited in scope and should not have a significant impact on the transfer of global talent.
On Wednesday, April 22, 2020, President Trump issued a proclamation to pause the issuance of new Immigrant Visas outside the U.S. for an initial period of 60 days, taking effect at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2020.
Continue Reading It Shall be Tweeted, It Shall be Written: Temporary Suspension of Immigrant Entry
Seyfarth Blog Synopsis: In today’s posting we discuss the impact that furloughs and layoffs may have on F-1 student workers and related employer obligations.
Attracting and retaining talent involves recruitment of recent graduates and those completing their studies at universities in the U.S. This talent pool often includes great candidates who are in the U.S. as students on temporary F-1 visas. U.S. Based businesses and the F-1 students who they employ now face new challenges as employers move forward with temporary or sometimes permanent cost saving measures through salary reductions, furloughs or layoffs in response to the impacts of COVID-19. This post provides an overview of some of the commonly asked questions to help employers navigating through ongoing changes.
Continue Reading F-1 Student Workers & COVID-19 Impacts on Employment
Following the lottery results issued this week, USCIS announced today that H-1B petitioners may begin submitting petitions during the 90 day window noted on the selection notice. USCIS reported nearly 275,000 unique registrations were submitted during the initial registration period with approximately 46% of all registrations under the advanced degree category.
Continue Reading USCIS FY 2021 H-1B Cap Selections & Filing Window
Seyfarth Synopsis: USCIS Announces the FY 2020 H-1B Cap Reached.
On April 5, 2019, United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it received sufficient H-1B petitions to meet the regular H-1B quota (or “cap”) for Fiscal Year 2020, which begins on October 1, 2019. This means that USCIS
Continue Reading FY 2020 Cap Reached
Seyfarth Synopsis: The Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) work authorization for eligible Liberian nationals has been extended automatically until March 30, 2020. While the previous wind-down period for DED was set for March 31, 2019, President Trump, on March 28, 2019, issued a presidential memorandum directing Secretary Nielson to provide
Continue Reading One Year “Wind-Down” Auto Extension Granted for Liberian Nationals with DED Status
By: Leon Rodriguez
Seyfarth Synopsis: While marijuana possession and use continue to become legal in many U.S. states, either for strictly medicinal purposes or for any purpose at all, it can still be a basis for denial of immigration benefits, such as temporary visas, legal permanent residency, and/or naturalization, or for revocation of existing immigration benefits. This can even be true where the possession and/or use never resulted in either a criminal charge or conviction.
Notwithstanding contrary state laws, marijuana continues to be deemed a Schedule I narcotic as defined at 21 U.S.C. § 812((b)(1), meaning it has been found to have “a high potential for abuse”, “no currently accepted medical use in treatment” or a lack of “accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision.” 21 U.S.C. § 812((b)(1)(A)-(C). 21 U.S.C. § 844 makes illegal under federal law simple possession of any Schedule I substance. Current Attorney General Jeff Sessions has rescinded prior Obama-era Department of Justice guidance accommodating State laws on marijuana, particularly those allowing its possession and use for medical purposes. As such, the Department of Justice has returned to an aggressive posture on narcotics enforcement with respect to marijuana.Continue Reading Marijuana Still Legally Risky For Non-Citizens (And Those Who Sponsor Them)