NEWS

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is expanding the Family Expedited Removal Management program. The expansion targets unlawful immigration of asylum-seeking families at the U.S. southern border. The Biden administration aims to strengthen measures against unauthorized immigration.

A Ninth Circuit panel, divided in its opinion, paused the vacating of a Biden administration rule that restricted asylum entries.

The California federal judge, who initially vacated the Biden administration's rule restricting asylum entries to the United States and granted a 14-day stay on the rule, rejected the federal government's bid to extend the stay on the asylum rule during its appeal.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers is urging the Biden administration to take action to address green card backlogs and retain highly skilled workers in the U.S. They are concerned that the growing backlogs and recruitment efforts by other countries, such as Canada, may lead some individuals to consider leaving the U.S. for better opportunities.

USCIS will complete an additional selection of H-1B cap visa participants to fulfill the FY2024 numerical allocation from the previously submitted electronic registrations.

States challenging the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program argue that a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling regarding deportation guidelines does not undermine their lawsuit. Texas and eight other states contend that the Supreme Court's ruling, which found that Texas lacked standing in its challenge to the deportation guidelines, applies to a specific rule involving compelling another's arrest and prosecution.

A California federal judge invalidated a Biden administration rule limiting asylum. The judge specifically addresses the policy aspects that stop noncitizens who enter the U.S. between ports of entry or failed to seek protection in a third country as ineligible for asylum.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) introduced a new final rule, allowing some employers to continue verifying their employees' Form I-9 documents remotely. This rule makes permanent the flexibility that was initially implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic allowing for remote verification of employment documents.

Border policies are now facing legal challenges from both immigrant advocates and immigration hardliners. A crucial hearing is scheduled in California to address these new asylum rules.

The August 2023 Visa Bulletin shows major retrogression in EB-1 India, EB-3 worldwide, and F2A worldwide. This signals an ever-growing demand for these visa types by country and around the world.