News and Announcements

January 2021

Trump Administration Extends Two Immigration- Related Proclamations to March 31, 2021
January 5, 2021

On December 31, 2020, the Trump administration announced the extension of the following two policies: (1) Immigrant entry restriction extended to March 31, 2021: On April 22, 2020, a Presidential […]

December 2020

U.S.-Canada-Mexico “Non-Essential” Travel Restrictions Extended to 01/21/2021
December 21, 2020

UPDATED 12/20/2020: USCBP announces via Twitter that Non-Essential travel restriction between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico has been extended. The posting is not as definitive as past notices, referring to […]

Guidance on Remote Student Appointments Performed Outside the U.S. (Spring 2021)
December 7, 2020

December 2020 Update (posted 12/07/2020) On December 7, 2020, Ian Waitz, Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate and Graduate Education at MIT, emailed and posted a “December 2020 Update” and FAQ for […]

Court Rulings Halt Implementation of Recent H-1B/DOL/Prevailing Wage Interim Final Rules
December 4, 2020

As a result of a court ruling on December 1, 2020, the two rules affecting the H-1B and E-3 visa programs, and PERM Labor Certifications that were described in our Update […]

November 2020

USCIS Extends Validity of Certain Forms I-797 for I-9 Processing Due to Document Issuance Delays
November 23, 2020

On November 23, 2020, USCIS announced that it will further extend acceptance of certain Form I-797 Notices of Action for completing Forms I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification given delays in processing […]

U.S.-Canada-Mexico “Non-Essential” Travel Restrictions Extended to 12/21/2020
November 20, 2020

UPDATED 11/20/2020: USCBP announces via Twitter that Non-Essential travel restriction between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico has been extended. The posting is not as definitive as past notices, referring to […]

U.S. Department of State Posts Update to Phased Resumption of Visa Services Announcement/FAQ
November 14, 2020

On November 12, 2020, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) posted to its website an update to its announcement and FAQ on “Phased Resumption of Routine Visa Services“. The announcement/FAQ […]

October 2020

Chinese Consulate General Posts Guidance on New Airline/Travel Requirements for Entry to China due to COVID-19
October 29, 2020

On October 29, 2020, the Consulate General of China posted on the Chinese Embassy/Consulate websites new COVID-19 testing requirements to board flights, and entry, to China. The new requirements are […]

U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Publish New Rules on Prevailing Wages, H-1B
October 21, 2020

1. DOL Publishes Rule: “Strengthening Wage Protections for the Temporary and Permanent Employment of Certain Aliens in the United States.” On October 8, 2020, the US Department of Labor, Employment […]

Summary – USDHS PROPOSED Rule Impacting Period of Admission for F, J, and I Visa Status
October 20, 2020

As we first noted on September 25, 2020, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Proposed Rule to change the period of admission to the U.S. for F and J […]