On October 30, 2023, President Joe Biden issued an Executive Order regarding the “Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence.” The Executive Order (EO) directs departments and agencies throughout the government, including the Department of Homeland
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USCIS Clarifies L-1 Intracompany Transfer Petitions and Sole Proprietorships, Blanket L Petitions
USCIS has issued new policy guidance on L-1 intracompany transfer petitions addressing sole proprietorships and Blanket L petitions.
There are two highlights:
- USCIS has clarified that sole proprietorships cannot file L petitions on behalf of the owner, i.e., the sole
…
New USCIS Policy Guidance on Two-Year Home Residence Requirement for J Nonimmigrant Classification
USCIS has issued new policy guidance explaining how it determines whether a beneficiary has met the two-year home residence requirement applicable to nonimmigrant exchange visitors in J status.
Individuals in J status come to the United States to participate in…
Department of State Takes Steps to Implement Stateside Visa Processing
On October 17, 2023, the Department of State (DOS) took the first steps to implement stateside processing of nonimmigrant visas. The DOS notified the federal Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs that it will introduce a pilot stateside processing program…
Higher Enforcement Activity Expected After DOL-EEOC Partnership Agreement
The Department of Labor (DOL) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) have announced they will be collaborating and sharing information to improve their enforcement efforts.
Based upon a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the agencies are “forming this partnership…
Implications of Priority Date Retrogression for R-1 Religious Worker Visas
A change in calculating the availability of immigrant numbers means some foreign national ministers who are in the United States on temporary R-1 religious worker visas and waiting in lines for green cards will have to wait even longer, it…
Proposed Rule to Reform, Modernize H-1B Program
USCIS has published a proposed rule that, once implemented, would significantly reform and modernize the H-1B Program. The Modernizing H-1B Requirements, Providing Flexibility in the F-1 Program, and Program Improvements Affecting Other Nonimmigrant Workers Rule has been released for Notice…
Israeli Citizens, Nationals Can Apply for Visa Waiver Program Beginning Oct. 19
Beginning on October 19, 2023, eligible Israeli citizens and nationals can apply for visa-free travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
Israel’s entrance into the VWP was originally…
DHS to Propose Amending H-1B, F-1 Regulations
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will soon be issuing a new proposed rule: Modernizing H-1B Requirements and Oversight and Providing Flexibility in the F-1 Program.
The abstract of the proposed rule indicates:
- DHS will be revising the regulations regarding
…
Details Available for Applications for TPS and TPS-Based Employment Authorization Documents for Venezuelans
At the end of September, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the extension and redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela. The detailed instructions are now available in the Federal Register.
The 18-month extension of TPS and employment…