As I was starting to write my personal note for this newsletter, I just read the news that the Trump administration has agreed to rescind the directive that would have barred foreign students from the United States if their colleges canceled in-person instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic, following multiple lawsuits by universities including Harvard and MIT. Big relief for our international students!

Ever-changing immigration policies make this time in history especially hard for immigrants in the United States, as well as for companies who depend on immigrant employees. Now more than ever it is important to count on reliable information...

USCIS announced that it implemented its Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds final rule on February 24, 2020. The final rule states that an applicant is a public charge if he or she has received, or is more likely than not to receive, any of nine public benefit programs for more than 12 months in the aggregate within any 36-month period.

The Public Charge rule does not restrict access to testing, screening, or treatment of communicable diseases, including COVID-19. In addition, the rule does not restrict access to vaccines for children or adults to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases. Importantly, for purposes of a public charge inadmissibility determination, USCIS considers the...

This week President Trump issued yet another proclamation, not only continuing Proclamation 10014 (extending the 60-day freeze on work visas put in place in April), but also temporarily limiting the entry, with some exceptions, of individuals seeking entry on an H-1B, H-2B, J, or L visa.  The proclamation further extends to individuals (relatives) accompanying or following to join individuals on these visas.  This limit on visas significantly affects the tech industry, students, intracompany executive and managerial transfers, and au pairs, among others. Affected visas will be on hold until the end of 2020.

The suspension and limitation on entry applies only to...

These are the most important recent updates in response to COVID-19.

1. USCIS 

On March 18, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services temporarily suspended routine in-person services to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). USCIS plans to begin reopening offices on or after June 4. USCIS staff continues to perform duties that do not involve face-to-face contact with the public. However, USCIS will provide emergency services for limited situations. 

During this time, individuals may still submit applications and petitions to USCIS. 

USCIS will provide further updates to this page as the situation develops and will continue to follow CDC...