Legal Articles, Immigration
David H. Wetmore Appointed Chairman of the BIA
On May 29, 2020, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) announced the appointment of David H. Wetmore as the chairman of the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).
Online EOIR Automated Case Information Application Now Available
The EOIR unveiled an online automated case information application. It works similarly to the EOIR’s automated case information telephone hotline.
Flexibility for H2B Petitioners to Support the U.S. Food Supply Chain
On May 12, 2020, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it had published a temporary final rule to change certain H2B requirements to help support the U.S. food-supply chain.
New CW1 Rule Implementing the Northern Mariana Islands U.S. Workforce Act
A new CW1 interim final rule creates new requirements for CW1 employers.
USCIS Resuming Premium Processing In Phases Beginning June 1
On May 29, 2020, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will resume premium processing for Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, and Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, in phases over the next month.
USCIS Contact Centers Implement Interactive Voice Response Telephone System
On May 18, 2020, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) introduced a new interactive voice response telephone system for calls to the USCIS Contact Center.
EOIR Adds Three New Board of Immigration Appeals Members
On April 1, 2020, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) published an interim rule expanding the size of the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) from 21 members to 23. On May 1, 2020, the EOIR announced the investiture of three new members of the BIA.
USCIS Guidance for COS and VWP Entrants During Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak
On April 13, 2020, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published informal guidance regarding certain immigration services during the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. We will go through some of the highlights of the guidance in this post.
DOS Postpones the Opening of Entry Status Check for Diversity Visa-2021 Applications
On April 27, 2020, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced that it is postponing the opening of Entrant Status Check for the Diversity Visa-2021 applications from May 5, 2020, through June 6, 2020.
National Visa Center Will No Longer Accept Inquiries Through Mail
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced that beginning on June 1, 2020, the “National Visa Center will no longer accept or respond to inquiries through mail.”
