Updates & Events

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, USCIS is extending to September 30, 2021, previously announced flexibilities to assist applicants, petitioners and requestors responding to certain requests.

Temporary limits on nonessential travel of individuals from Canada or Mexico into the United States at land ports of entry along the border, including ferry service, will continue through July 21, 2021.

The three-day filing window to submit an H-2B Application for Temporary Employment Certification requesting a work start date of October 1, 2021, will open on July 3, 2021.

USCIS launched the hub to provide information to the public on employers or agents petitioning for H-2B workers.

The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for July includes advances in final action dates for China and Vietnam. The bulletin also notes that because there has not yet been legislative action to extend the EB-5 program, final action dates for the I5 and R5 categories are listed as “Unavailable” for July.

USCIS reported that the H-1B cap electronic registration process was “again well-received by users, who provided a high satisfaction score with the system for FY 2022 (4.87 out of 5).” USCIS received 308,613 H-1B registrations during the initial registration period and selected 87,500 registrations projected as needed to reach the FY 2022 numerical allocations.

As of June 25, 2021, the Vermont Service Center will no longer receive any incoming mail at the St. Albans, Vermont, facility, which is being decommissioned. Mail sent to the previous address will be forwarded for one year.

USCIS issued new policy updates to clarify the criteria and circumstances for expedited processing; improve guidance for requests for evidence and notices of intent to deny; and increase the validity period for initial and renewal work authorization documents for certain noncitizens with pending adjustment of status applications.

USCIS issued guidance on the Form I-9 Employment Authorization Verification process, for H-2B workers seeking to change employers.

Landlords will want to pay close attention to the requirements found in this new law before filing any residential evictions.