Updates & Events

In reaction to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the United States has steadily intensified sanctions focused on Russia and certain regions of Ukraine.

In addition to the economic steps taken to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. government’s actions have now expanded to the patent world, which will ultimately impact U.S. companies with Russian patents.

The Department of Homeland Security announced the designation of Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months.

The Department of State announced on March 1, 2022, that the U.S. Mission to Ukraine is not currently offering visa services.

The Department of State released information for U.S. citizens in Ukraine, including an online form to enable communication with U.S. citizens, telephone numbers for immediate assistance and advice and tips.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, an omnibus spending bill passed by Congress and signed by President Biden, reauthorizes the EB-5 regional center program for five years, among other things.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that it received a sufficient number of petitions needed to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that it received enough petitions to meet the congressionally mandated H-2B cap for the second half of fiscal year 2022.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services recently clarified Form I‑9 guidance related to Native American Tribal documents in M‑274, Handbook for Employers.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that for all H-1B and H-1B1 petitions received on or after April 1, 2022, USCIS will no longer accept a single, combined fee payment when Forms I-539, I-765 or  I-824 are filed together with an H-1B or H-1B1 petition.