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We’ve reported extensively on the immigration backlog that’s put citizenship, green card, visa application, and removal proceedings months behind schedule. But now The Wall Street Journal reports that part of the backlog is a literal backlog: the physical paperwork needed to complete countless applications is stuck in a man-made limestone cave facility underneath Kansas City called the Federal… Read More

On January 10th, 2022 the Executive Office of Immigration review (EOIR) announced that it is postponing all  hearings in non-detained, non-represented cases due to COVID-19 through January 31st.  If you have a case during that time it will not be going forward unless you are represented.  Detained cases, as well as non-detained individuals who are… Read More

Visa holders need to be extremely cautious about leaving the country, says immigration lawyer and AILA board member Greg Siskind. “Don’t travel,” he says, “unless you’re prepared to be working remotely for a year.” The advice may sound dire, but it’s clearly necessary. The Biden administration may have eased some travel restrictions for vaccinated individuals… Read More

On December 23, 2021, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, the Secretary of State authorized consular offices through December 31, 2022, to waive in-person interview requirements for certain nonimmigrant visa applicants. Who is covered under the expanded authorization? Newly covered visa types: The new authorization applies to those applying for H-1, H-3, H-4,… Read More

The Parliamentarian, the Senate ‘referee,’ rejected the Democrats’ latest attempt at including an immigration proposal in the Build Back Better bill. The Democrats have submitted three different immigration proposals to the Parliamentarian to put immigration reform through a process called “budget reconciliation.” Bills that go through budget reconciliation only need a simple majority to bypass… Read More

Immigrants who want to get a green card are required to undergo a medical exam, the results of which are recorded in Form I-693. These results are valid for two years after the civil surgeon (a doctor designated by USCIS) signs the form. However, during the Trump administration, USCIS only accepted medical examination forms (Form… Read More

Two weeks ago, Democrats were given hopeful signals that the Senate Parliamentarian would approve their proposals for undocumented immigrants to be included in a “human infrastructure bill.” We’ve reported on these proposals on our blog, including allowing millions of undocumented people to apply for work permits and permission to travel. While the official ruling has… Read More

On December 2, 2021, the CDC announced that ALL travelers travelling to the United States two years or older via air travel, regardless of vaccination status or citizenship will be required to take a COVID-19 viral test and show a negative result to the airline, no more than one day before boarding a flight. This new… Read More

As of Monday, the United States has begun sending deportation notices to 78,000 migrants who allegedly crossed the U.S.-Mexico border this year without authorization. Many of the recipients are families with children. The dispatch effort is called “Operation Horizon” and will put tens of thousands of people who received “ad hoc” processing on the border… Read More