The Democratic Party is Planning on Attaching Immigration Reform Legislation

Washington, D.C., July 19, 2021: News reports from Capitol Hill indicate that the Democratic Party is planning on attaching immigration reform legislation to the infrastructure legislation or budget reconciliation bills that are planned for votes this August and September of 2021. The bills are described as ‘ambitious’, and would implement significant modernizations to the U.S.’s […]

Judge Blocks DACA, Version 2021

Washington, D.C., July 16, 2021: Today, a U.S. federal judge in Texas issued a decision blocking new applications under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”) program. The DACA program was created by executive action by President Barack Obama in 2012. The DACA program grants a work permit and relief from deportation to young children […]

US Congress Seeks Inspiration from Canada’s Immigration System

Washington, D.C., July 14, 2021: The US House of Representatives recently held a congressional hearing titled, “Oh, Canada! How Outdated U.S. Immigration Policies Push Top Talent to Other Countries”. Led by Democrats Zoe Lofgren (CA) and Jerry Nadler (NJ), the hearing focused on the growing trend among technology companies and technology workers of shifting employment […]

USCIS Updates EB-5 Form

Washington, D.C., July 8, 2021: USCIS announced today that it would accept the April 15, 2019 version of Form I-526 for new EB-5 petitions. USCIS further acknowledged that they would simultaneously continue to accept the November 21, 2019 version of Form I-526. Thus, both versions will be accepted until a final decision is issued in […]

IRCC Issues 627 Invitations in the PNP Specific Express Entry Draw

On July 7, 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 627 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in its Express Entry draw. Invited candidates needed to have a nomination from a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) to receive an ITA. The minimum score in this draw was 760. Note that PNP candidates automatically get an additional 600 […]

Canada Visa Application Centre- India Updates

BIOMETRIC APPOINTMENT SERVICES RESUME IN INDIA Starting June 28, 2021, Visa Application Centres (VACs) across India started scheduling biometric appointments for all other lines of business, this includes visitors, returning workers and students, work permit applicants, family class applicants and economic class applicants. To request an appointment, please submit a web form at: visa.vfsglobal.com. EXPRESS […]

DOS Grants National Interest Exceptions 12 Months Validity

Washington, D.C., July 6, 2021: Several Embassy posts from the US Department of State (DOS) announced today that, effective immediately, all National Interest Exceptions (NIE) are valid for 12 months and multiple entries. So far, reports confirm the US Embassies in Madrid and Berlin have offered the new 12-month NIE treatment to all applicants previously […]

What to Expect: EB-5 Regional Center Program Sunsets on 06-30-2021

Washington, D.C., June 29, 2021: The EB-5 Regional Center program will lapse on June 30, 2021 because the US Congress and the President did not approve an extension of the program before that date. The following is a blog by Ignacio Donoso, Managing Partner of Donoso & Partners, on the future of the EB-5 Regional […]

Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Nomination of Ur Jaddou to Lead USCIS

On June 24, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced Ur Jaddou, President Biden’s choice for the director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), in a 11-10 vote. The committee voted along party lines to bring Jaddou closer to a confirmation vote on the Senate floor. Senator Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) abstained. Jaddou served as USCIS […]

USCIS Allows Late Filing of Improperly Rejected H-1B Cap Cases

Washington D.C., June 23, 2021: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today it will accept resubmitted fiscal year (FY) 2021 H-1B cap-subject petitions that were rejected or administratively closed solely because the requested start date was after Oct. 1, 2020. If your FY 2021 petition was rejected or administratively closed solely because your petition was […]