NEWS

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released policy guidance outlining eligibility criteria for initial and renewal applications for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) in compelling circumstances.

DHS clarified guidance offered on their website is not automatically assumed to be policy. In the EB-5 investor lawsuit, the group cited content found on a FAQ page. DHS clarified it is not considered policy without other underlying requirements.

We did not see the retrogression under the EB-2 category that was forecasted in the May 2023 visa bulletin this month. In the EB-3 category, we do see retrogression that the State Department warned about in the June 2023 visa bulletin. The only category without retrogression from the June 2023 visa bulletin is EB-3 China.

Some visa fees will increase on June 17, 2023. Included in the increased fee visas are some nonimmigrant application processing fees, including H, L, O, P, Q, and R visas as well as treaty traders, investors, and applicants using the E category visa.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement released an update on the process of improving the experience for individuals accessing the Department of Homeland Security services. Improvements in student visas and exchange visitors are noted.

The State of Florida enacted a law that addresses undocumented immigrants in the state. Florida employers are subject to up to $1,000 per day fines for hiring undocumented individuals, among other updates that affect undocumented individuals in the state.

The process of selecting supporters for the parole program for Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela has changed due to high submission rates. The change is effective now.

For June 2023, both employment-based and family-based categories are holding steady, showing no further retrogression, or advancement. However, for India and China, we expect retrogression in the EB-1 category in July 2023.

The Secure the Border Act was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. The Act proposes ending some Biden administration policies and enabling some Trump-era policies. President Biden stated he will veto the law, should the Act move forward.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the ending of COVID-19 temporary flexibilities for Form I-9. Employers must complete a physical review of documents for individuals hired in the last two years who completed document verification remotely.