EEOC Guidance Released: As an Employer, Can I Oblige My Employees to get Vaccinated for COVID-19?
While our hopes to eliminate the gruesome pandemic flourishes with the recent developments in authorization of COVID-19 vaccine, the business world is highly intrigued by the question whether it was possible to implement a mandatory vaccination polic...
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Substantial Increase in Premium Processing Fees while Prescribed Scope Expansions are Yet to be Implemented
USCIS recently announced that the premium processing fee for L-1, H1B, and some other immigrant visa petitions increased from $1440 to $2500 effective on October 19, 2020. For I-129 forms filed for H-2B or R-1 nonimmigrant status, the new premium pro...
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The U.S. Embassy in Turkey issued a security alert on October 23, saying that the mission received some credible reports of possible coming terrorist attacks and kidnappings against U.S. citizens and other foreigners in Istanbul, including against the U.S. Consulate General, as well as potentially other locations in Turkey. and Halts Visa Services
The U.S. Embassy in Turkey issued a security alert on October 23, saying that the mission received some credible reports of possible coming terrorist attacks and kidnappings against U.S. citizens and other foreigners in Istanbul, including against th...
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U.S. Federal Judge Mehta Partially Blocked the Presidential Proclamation
As known, a previous proclamation issued by President Trump barred green card applicants, diversity visa lottery winners, and other foreign guest workers from entering the U.S. A recent order by a federal judge has partially blocked the proclamation...
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Substantial Changes to Employment Authorization Document Procedures for Asylum Seekers Beginning on August 25, 2020
The new rule released by the Department of Homeland Security was published on Federal Register on June 26, 2020, and brings substantial restrictions for those who apply for Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and asylum in the US concomitantly....
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The US State Department Finalizes Selection of FY 2021 Diversity Visa Lottery Winners
The State Department has announced the completion of the selection process for FY 2021 DV Lottery, aka Green Card Lottery, which had been postponed before due to the delays emanating from COVID-19 Pandemic....
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Recent Executive Order Signed By President Trump Restricts Certain Forms of Immigration to the US: Scope & Exclusions
While COVID 19 Pandemic and its subsequent startling consequences continue to challenge almost all well-settled societal and governmental practices around the World, another one as part of the administration’s response to the coronavirus crisis came ...
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Extension of the Current COVID-19 Accommodations on Requests for Evidence, Notices of Intent to Deny, Appeals and Other Responses
In response to the existing COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending the flexibilities it announced to assist applicants and petitioners who are responding to certain: • Requests for Evidence (RFE); • Continuations to...
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New Laws in Response to the COVID-19 Outbreak
Several laws and regulations in response to the COVID-19 outbreak have been passed. Some of them are as follows: Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and Coronavirus Aid, Reli...
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New PPP Loan Application Form is Issued: Citizenship or LPR is No Longer Required
On April 3, 2020, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) posted the new Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Borrower Application Form on its website. Apparently, the citizenship or permanent residency requirement was removed from the form. ...
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