The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has formally removed the rule that would have redefined the H-1B specialty occupations. The rule was also set to restrict the off-site replacement of H-1B employees and increase employer compliance requirements. On May 20, 2021, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), issued a statement confirming that the DHS has removed the Interim Final Rule issued in October 2020, READ MORE READ MORE

On April 30, 2021, a new COVID-related travel ban was implemented by the Biden administration. The ban suspended entry into the United States of nonimmigrants who were physically present in India during the preceding 14 days. The administration instituted this ban to curtail the spread of a new coronavirus variant that has caused catastrophic devastation in India. Currently, the U.S. has issued travel bans for 32 other READ MORE READ MORE

Lawsuit Filed to Block H-1B Visa Wage Priority Rule On Monday, multiple organizations filed an action in a Washington, D.C., federal court to block the implementation of a wage-based rule that would replace the H-1B visa lottery system – designated for high-skilled foreign workers – with a program that favored higher-paid positions. The rule, originally introduced by former President Trump, was to begin in March 2021, but READ MORE READ MORE

The Office of Immigrant and Employee Rights (IER), a part of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), began an investigation of Elon Musk’s SpaceX in June 2020, after a job applicant complained of hiring discrimination. The complaint was based on SpaceX’s not hiring foreigners. Hiring Discrimination Complaint Filed with IER The applicant filed a complaint with the IER in May 2020. The READ MORE READ MORE

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced on April 21 that it will no longer be fining undocumented immigrants who fail to depart the United States. This action reverses the previous policy that often left immigrants thousands of dollars in debt to the federal government. ICE officials confirmed the rescission of two Trump-era orders, ending the collection of financial penalties and canceling fines already issued to undocumented immigrants. READ MORE READ MORE