In a highly-anticipated and welcomed statement, Jeff Zients, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, announced that the United States (U.S.) will be easing the COVID-19 travel restrictions in place barring entry for most non-US nationals who were physically present in Brazil, China, Iran, Ireland, countries in the European Schengen Area, South Africa, India, and the United Kingdom during the fourteen-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the Unites States.
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CowParade
New York has become a pasture for cows! Not real cows, of course, but 78 unique fiberglass cows are on view throughout New York City. Each of the cows is painted and transformed by a wide array of artists, “from contemporary art icons to well-known Wynwood graffiti artists to eclectic designers and celebrity supporters.” We found a few of the cows around the city, including “Dairy-go-Round” designed by actor Neil Patrick Harris, “Flora, the Sustainable Cow Planter” by Brian McCarthy, “E Pluribus Unum” by Yannick Lowery, “Moo York Summer Celebration” by Billy the Artist, “Creature Cow Alliance” by Danny Cole, and “CLEAR Constellations” by Chris Sainato. At the end of the exhibition, each of the cows will be auctioned off, with the proceeds going to the meal delivery service God’s Love We Deliver, which serves medically-tailored meals to sick or otherwise homebound New Yorkers. CowParade, the organization that put together this herd, has held similar events in over 80 cities around the world over more than 20 years. This is the first time the cows have been in New York since 2000.
USCIS Announces COVID-19 Vaccination Required for Immigration Medical Examinations
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that effective October 1, 2021, COVID-19 vaccinations are required for immigration medical examinations which are a part of the green card application process. The Service has updated its policy guidelines to require that “applicants subject to the immigration medical examination must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the civil surgeon can complete an immigration medical examination and sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record.”
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Project Backboard in St. Nicholas Park
Almost every New York City park has at least one basketball court. They are ubiquitous in this city, a beloved space to enjoy time outdoors with friends and family. The courts in my neighborhood are in St. Nicholas Park, a stretch of parkland that runs from 127th Street to 141st Street, forming a green haven for residents of West Harlem. At almost any time of day, the basketball courts in St. Nicholas Park are full of kids practicing their skills, teenagers playing pickup games, or families enjoying the sunshine and exercise. One of my neighborhood courts recently got a makeover courtesy of an initiative called Project Backboard. This organization works with artists to repaint public basketball courts all over the country, installing colorful works of art “in order to strengthen communities, improve park safety, encourage multi-generational play, and inspire people to think more critically and creatively about their environment.” The St. Nicholas basketball court was designed by artist and Harlem native Faith Ringgold, a prolific multimedia artist best known for creating narrative quilts. The court design is based on her 1974 work “Windows of the Wedding #1: Woman.” The large-scale version of the work is an abstract, colorful pattern which “will be transformed into something of living narrative quilt” as countless stories play out on top of the painted surface.
Celebrating and Highlighting the Achievements of Immigrants is Crucial
Labor Day on Little Island
We’re relaxing on our long weekend, enjoying the sunshine and cooler weather. From the lookout of New York City’s newest park, Little Island, the view is spectacular. You can see for miles down the Hudson – even the Statue of Liberty, several miles away in New York Bay, is visible on a clear day. The man-made island, built on the site of historic Pier 54, which was severely damaged by Hurricane Sandy, opened to the public just a few months ago. The charming park is a perfect way to enjoy the Labor Day holiday. We hope you get to relax on a little island of your own!
USCIS Relaunches the International Entrepreneur Parole Program
The International Entrepreneur Parole Program (IE) has been relaunched by United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS). As we mentioned in an earlier post, the Biden Administration has relaunched the IE program for international entrepreneurs who have established their startups in the United States. The IE program allows international entrepreneurs, who otherwise do not meet other visa criteria, to be granted a period of authorized stay in the U.S. to grow their business. IE does not give immigration status to the approved applicants. Instead, qualifying applicants receive what is called “parole”, which is a temporary permission to enter and remain in the U.S for a specified period of time. The IE program does not provide a path to permanent residency.
Read moreCDC Adds Covid-19 Vaccine to List of Required Immunizations for Green Card Applicants
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced that beginning October 1, 2021, foreign nationals submitting green card applications must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. The Covid-19 vaccination was added to the list of vaccinations already required for those seeking permanent residency in the U.S. either by applying for Adjustment of Status if the applicant is in the U.S. or Consular Processing abroad. According to the CDC, applicants “must complete the COVID-19 vaccine series and provide documentation of vaccination to the civil surgeon in person before completion of the medical examination.”
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