On March 9, 2021, Alejandro N. Mayorkas, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), announced that the US government consistent with Executive Order 14012 will no longer defend the 2019 Public Charge Final Rule since “doing so is neither in the public interest nor an efficient use of limited government resources.” In a press release, Secretary Mayorkas said: “The 2019 public charge rule was not in keeping with our nation’s values. It penalized those who access health benefits and other government services available to them. He added: “Consistent with the President’s vision, we will continue to implement reforms that improve our legal immigration system.”
Read moreDHS Designates Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 Months
On March 8, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced they were designating Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eighteen months, effective March 9, 2021, through September 9, 2022. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas noted in a press release: “The living conditions in Venezuela reveal a country in turmoil, unable to protect its own citizens. It is in times of extraordinary and temporary circumstances like these that the United States steps forward to support eligible Venezuelan nationals already present here, while their home country seeks to right itself out of the current crises.”
Read morePresident Biden Signs Executive Order That Revokes Trump’s “Buy American and Hire American” Order
On January 25, 2021, President Biden issued an executive order titled “Ensuring the Future Is Made in All of America by All of America’s Workers” that requires when possible the US government to “procure goods, products, materials, and services from sources that will help American businesses compete in strategic industries and help America’s workers thrive.” Additionally, President Biden’s order revokes former President Trump’s April 18, 2017 “Buy American and Hire American” (BAHA) executive order that required various governmental agencies to propose new rules and guidance in regards to the US immigration system that would “protect the interests” of American workers.
Read morePresident Biden Issues Proclamation Revoking Trump's Ban for Immigrants Outside the US
On February 24, 2021, President Joseph Biden signed a proclamation revoking former President Trump’s suspension of the issuance of immigrant visas (Green Cards) to those outside the United States, which Trump put forth at the time to purportedly assist with the economic recovery for American workers affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Specifically, President Biden’s proclamation revokes the suspension of entry imposed in Proclamation 10014 (April 22, 2020), as extended by section 1 of Proclamation 10052 (June 22, 2020), and section 1 of Proclamation 10131 (December 31, 2020).
Read moreH-1B Cap Registration Period for Fiscal Year 2022 Begins March 9, 2021 (Plus FAQ on the H-1B Cap)
US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year (FY) 2022 H-1B cap will begin at 12pm ET on March 9 and run through 12pm ET on March 25. During this registration period, prospective petitioners and representatives will be able to submit their registrations using their myUSCIS account and pay the $10 fee for each registration submitted on behalf of each beneficiary.
Read moreUSCIS Expands Premium Processing Service to E-3 Petitioners Effective February 24, 2021
This week US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) expanded the fifteen-day premium processing service to E-3 petitioners. Effective February 24, 2021, petitioners filing Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, who are requesting a change or extension of status to E-3 classification, will have the option to request premium processing service for their petition. The E-3 visa category is reserved for Australian nationals seeking to work in the US in a professional job.
Read moreUSCIS Will Revert Back to the 2008 Version of the Naturalization Civics Test Effective March 1, 2021
On February 22, 2021, US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) announced plans to revert to the 2008 Version of the naturalization civics test effective March 1, 2021, after the Trump administration, in late 2020, implemented a new version of the test for naturalization applications filed on or after December 1, 2020. Those who file for naturalization after March 1, 2021 will be given the 2008 test to which the Biden Administration is reverting. However, those who filed or will file between December 1, 2020 and March 1, 2021 will be given the option of taking either the 2020 Trump era version or 2008 version of the test.
Read moreBuzzFeed News: "'Illegal Alien' Will No Longer Be Used In Many US Government Communications"
For many years the American government has used such terms as “alien” and “illegal alien” when referring to non-US citizens—terms that many immigration advocates have denounced as “dehumanizing” and offensive. Now, under direction from the Biden administration, Tracy Renaud, the senior official performing the duties of the director of US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), has issued a memo for the agency to no longer refer to foreign nationals as “illegal alien,” “alien,” or “undocumented alien” in internal and external communications, but rather to use the terms “noncitizen,” “undocumented noncitizen,” or “undocumented individual.” Additionally, USCIS will no longer use “assimilation,” but instead use the term “integration,” and also will refer to those who apply for immigration benefits as “customers.”
Read moreCold, Cold London
England, like much of the American East Coast and Midwest, is currently enduring some very cold temperatures. Almost all parts of the country including London have experienced freezing temperatures this week as well as snow and ice in many places. In London, we ventured out after one of the coldest nights in decades to see the frozen fountain at Trafalgar Square. Those poor mermaids! Stay warm, everyone!
The Hive at Moynihan Train Hall
The new Moynihan Train Hall (housed in the former James A. Farley Post Office) acts as an extension of Penn Station for Amtrak and LIRR transit passengers. It also has some incredible public art including The Hive, which greets passengers at the 31st Street entrance. Created by the artist duo Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset, The Hive is a “fantastical inverted cityscape inspired by iconic buildings of cities around the world including New York, Chicago, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, London, and Paris.” The hanging structures are made of stainless steel and aluminum, measure up to nine-feet, weigh 30,000 pounds, and feature 72,000 LED lights. The structures hang from the ceiling like stalactites which pays “tribute to the highly developed cities we live in today while reminding us of our cave-dweller origins.” The mirrored baseplate places the viewer below into the fictional city above and allows you to forget at least for a few moments that soon you'll have to get on LIRR transit.