Form I-9 Remote Flexibility Ends July 31, 2023 – 5 Things to Keep in Mind

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extended the COVID-19 remote completion flexibilities for Form I-9, effective November 1, 2022 – July 31, 2023. Additionally, in August of 2022, DHS invited public comment on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)[1] regarding new policies for consideration in Form I-9 completion, such as permanent virtual document review options in light of new …

Important Update on Recent DHS and DOL Rule Changes to the H-1B Program

On December 1, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued an order in connection with an industry group lawsuit against both the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The judge found that both Departments failed to properly follow standard U.S. legal procedures governing …

2020 USCIS I-9 Guidance Round-Up

As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, employees continue to work from home in record numbers, and employers continue to scramble to adjust their business operations and employee relations policies to accommodate the so-called “new normal”. Following-up on our earlier news about the US Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) odd relaxation of certain …

All Aboard the U.S. Immigration Merry-Go-Round!

It’s becoming clichéd at this point to start off saying that 2020 has been an almost unbelievably, non-stop, surprise-filled year, in nearly all aspects of our lives. That’s particularly true for US immigration, but not necessarily only because of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on business and the economy. On top of the pandemic, …

I-9 Covid Employment Verification Compliance: ICE announces continuance of I-9 compliance flexibility

On September 14, 2020, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced an extension of its flexibility provisions related to Form I-9 compliance, which ICE granted earlier this year. The extended flexibility requirements are intended to address situations in which employers’ entire operations are being conducted remotely due to Covid-19 concerns.  The Department of Homeland Security …

State Department Expands National Interest Exceptions for Nonimmigrants Subject to Presidential Proclamation 10052

As employers continue to try to find ways for essential nonimmigrants and their dependents to be issued H-1B, H-2B, L-1, and J-1 (intern, trainee, teacher, camp counselor, au pair, or summer work travel program) visas subject to Presidential Proclamation 10052  (Proclamation 10052), on August 12, the State Department updated its list of examples (August 12 …

“I Lost the H-1B Lottery… Now What?” Four Nonimmigrant Visa Alternatives to Employ for Foreign Professionals

Every year, U.S. employers seeking to employ foreign nationals petition United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) for work authorization under the H-1B visa program. Employment positions qualify for an H-1B visa when the job requires (1) theoretical and practical application of a body of highly-specialized knowledge and (2) attainment of a bachelor’s or higher …

COVID-19: Unemployment Benefits for Temporary Foreign Workers

Employers confronting business interruptions and shut-downs in the wake of the first COVID-19 wave face challenging workforce decisions about whether they need to lay-off or terminate workers.  Employers having a workforce partially comprised of temporary foreign workers (i.e., workers holding work visas such as H-1B, L-1, E-1/2, E-3, TN, O-1, etc.) confront additional layers of …

Expired State Identity Documents Temporarily Accepted for Form I-9 List B and the Case-by Case Remote Form I-9 Completion Risk

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently issued a follow-up Question and Answer sheet   (Q&A Sheet) to the  March 20 announcement of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) related to a limited relaxation to physical proximity requirements associated with Form I-9 completion due to COVID-19.  While the acceptance of an expired state identity document …

CRITICAL COVID-19 GUIDANCE FOR CERTAIN FOREIGN WORKERS

The ever-changing impact of the evolving COVID-19 pandemic is making it extremely difficult for employers to plan what to do with their foreign worker populations right now. DW Immigration stands ready to help! Here below we summarize some critical pieces of immigration information from the various government agencies and our related guidance, as it stands …