After nearly two years of the pandemic and nearly 6 billion vaccine shots worldwide, the United States will soon be lifting its geographic COVID-19 related travel bans. Beginning in November 2021, individuals from China, Iran, the Schengen Area, U.K., Ireland, Brazil, South Africa and India will no longer be banned from entering the U.S., and instead will be allowed into the country upon meeting certain individualized safety criteria.

On April 27, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) issued policy guidance in its Policy Manual instructing officers to give deference to prior determinations of eligibility when adjudicating a request for an extension of petition validity. The deference applies when extension requests involve the same parties and facts unless there was a material error, material change, or new material facts. The guidance contained in the Policy Manual is controlling and supersedes any related prior guidance.

One of former President Donald Trump's signature issues involved his strong desire to remake the U.S. immigration system in all facets. The drastic changes and controversial policies implemented, such as the border wall, child separation "no tolerance" removal policy and political asylum restrictions, were accordingly wide in scope and gained significant notoriety for their big impact.

Initial registration for the H-1B visa lottery for Fiscal Year 2022 will begin at noon Eastern time on March 9, 2021 and will close at noon Eastern time on March 25, 2021.

David H. Jacobson has joined the firm as Partner in the Immigration and Nationality Practice Group, expanding on the firm’s immigration law capabilities.