Tag: Immigration Updates & FAQs

As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. and other countries are cautioning against travel,  imposing fast-breaking travel restrictions, and cancelling non-essential visa services at consulates abroad. Recent actions are highlighted below.

Travel Advisory – U.S. Citizens

• The U.S. Department of State has issued a travel advisory  advising  U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel and recommending that U.S. citizens arrange for immediate return to the U.S. if they are able to do so.  The State Department is warning that U.S. citizens who chose to travel internationally may be forced to remain outside of the U.S. indefinitely.
• The State Department has also authorized the departure of U.S. personnel and family members from its diplomatic and consular posts abroad if they are at higher risk if exposed to COVID-19.  Departure of personnel may limit the ability of U.S. Embassies and consulates to provide services to U.S. citizens who remain abroad.

Suspension of U.S. Visa Services

• With increased travel restrictions, the Department of State also announced that it is suspending routine U.S. visa services in most countries worldwide and cancelling immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments effective March 18, 2020.  The Department of State aims to resume visa services as soon as possible, but cannot provide a specific date at this time. Please check the Embassy websites for the status of current operations and for information about the availability of emergency appointments.

Travel to the U.S.

• Earlier this week, the U.S. and Canada announced a mutual agreement to close their shared border to non-essential travel. Official details regarding implementation have not been published as of March 19.
• The Trump Administration has temporarily suspended travel to the U.S. for most foreign nationals traveling from Schengen Area countries in Europe, the U.K. and Ireland,  China and Iran.  Additional information is available on our Insights We expect more countries to face similar restrictions going forward and it is possible that the U.S. may determine to temporarily close its borders to all foreign national travelers in the near future.

Travel to Countries Outside the U.S.

• Many countries around the world are imposing similar restrictions on admitting foreign travelers.  All travelers should check airline carriers, foreign embassy websites and Department of State country-specific travel advisories frequently if travel cannot be avoided.
• For the latest information on conditions in each country, please review the Department of State’s COVID-19 country-specific information and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control for risk assessments by country.

Gibney is closely monitoring these developments.  Please contact a Gibney representative for additional information.

The Trump Administration issued a Proclamation extending travel restrictions to travelers from the U.K. and Ireland.  The ban will take effect at 11:59 pm ET on Monday March 16, 2020.  Impacted travelers include most foreign nationals who have been physically present in the U.K. or Ireland at any point during the 14 day period prior to arrival in the U.S. A similar ban went into effect on Friday, March 13, 2020 at 11:59 pm ET for travelers who have been in Schengen Area countries at any point during the 14 days prior to their scheduled arrival in the U.S.

The U.K. and Ireland will join the growing list of travel impacted countries including Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Iran and China.

It is likely that additional countries will be added to this list as the U.S. and the rest of the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. All travelers should also expect other countries to impose restrictions, and should check foreign embassy websites and airline carriers before traveling.

WHO IS EXEMPTED FROM THE BAN?

The entry restrictions for the U.K., Ireland and Schengen Area countries do not apply to U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, immediate family members of U.S. citizens, and certain other individuals who are identified in the proclamation. Exempted individuals will arrive on flights that are directed to designated ports of entry to the U.S. and these travelers will undergo enhanced screening. Those who are allowed to enter the U.S. will be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.

HOW LONG WILL THE BAN REMAIN IN EFFECT?

While news outlets have widely reported that the suspension will remain in effect for 30 days, the Presidential Proclamation announcing the Schengen Area ban does not specify a time period. Gibney is monitoring the implementation of these measures and will provide updates as they become available.

If you have any questions about this alert, please contact your Gibney representative or email info@gibney.com.

On March 13, 2020, the U.S. Department of State announced on its website that the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India are cancelling all visa appointments scheduled on or after March 16, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Department of State has not provided a date by when they expect to resume regular consular operations.

Who is Impacted?

Any foreign nationals who have scheduled, or are in the process of scheduling, a visa appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in India.

Do Cancellations Apply to Both Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visa Appointments?

Yes, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India are cancelling all nonimmigrant and immigrant visa appointments scheduled on or after March 16, 2020.

Will the Embassy Contact Each Visa Applicant with a New Appointment Date?

No, it will be the visa applicant’s responsibility to monitor the website of the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India to find out when appointments will be made available again and schedule a new one.

If you are currently in India and had a U.S. visa appointment scheduled on or after March 16, 2020, please contact your Gibney representative immediately.

Foreign nationals who are in the U.S. and are planning on visiting India in the near future should contact their Gibney representative to discuss travel risks and visa/status renewal or extension options. If travel or visa appointments were cancelled, please be sure to notify your Gibney representative to ensure no other action is needed to maintain valid status in the U.S.

Background Information and Resources

More information on the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India and their operations is available here.

If you have any questions about this alert, please contact your Gibney representative or email info@gibney.com.

The general information provided is not intended to serve as a source of legal advice for any purpose. Please contact your designated Gibney representative or immigration counsel for specific legal advice.

President Trump signed a Presidential Proclamation further limiting travel to the United States for foreign nationals traveling from several European countries.

WHO IS IMPACTED?

The Proclamation suspends entry to the United States of most foreign nationals who have been in Schengen Area countries at any point during the 14 days prior to their scheduled arrival in the United States.  The impacted countries include: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The United Kingdom is not included in the restriction.

WHEN DOES THE BAN TAKE EFFECT?

The entry restrictions will go into effect on Friday, March 13, 2020 at 11:59 pm ET. The restriction will not apply to persons aboard flights scheduled to arrive in the U.S. that departed prior to 11:59 pm ET on March 13.

WHO IS EXEMPTED FROM THE BAN?

The entry restrictions do not apply to U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, immediate family members of U.S. citizens, and certain other individuals who are identified in the Proclamation. Those who are allowed to enter the U.S. after travel to Europe will likely be subject to quarantine measures and their flights may be directed to selected ports of entry, as yet to be named.

HOW LONG WILL THE BAN REMAIN IN EFFECT?

News outlets have widely reported that the suspension will remain in effect for 30 days. However, the Proclamation does not specify a time period. Gibney is monitoring the implementation of these measures and will provide updates as they become available.

Background Information and Resources

Information about all of the U.S.  travel restrictions associated with the coronavirus, including links to some general resources, is available here.

If you have any questions about this alert, please contact your Gibney representative or email info@gibney.com.

The general information provided is not intended to serve as a source of legal advice for any purpose. Please contact your designated Gibney representative or immigration counsel for specific legal advice.

Today USCIS implements its new public charge rule nationwide.  The rule was previously enjoined in Illinois, but the U.S. Supreme Court lifted the injunction last week, allowing USCIS to implement the rule in all 50 states.

In addition, the Department of State (DOS) will also implement the new public charge standards beginning February 24, 2020 pursuant to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approving DOS’s  Form DS-5540, Public Charge Questionnaire. While the DS-5540 is now required for immigrant visa applicants (i.e., “green card” applicants) at U.S. consulates abroad, according to the updated Foreign Affairs Manual,  DOS  may also require nonimmigrant (i.e., temporary) visa applicants to provide specific financial evidence or to complete a Form DS-5540, in whole or in part, or to respond orally to questions from the form at visa interviews.

As previously reported, in general, individuals seeking admission to the U.S. must show they are not likely to become a public charge. The new public charge rule dramatically expands the definition of pubic charge for individuals seeking to extend or change their temporary status in the U.S., as well as for individuals applying for lawful permanent resident status.

Nonimmigrants seeking a change or extension of status in the U.S. will be required to show that they have not received certain public benefits exceeding a designated threshold as of the rule’s implementation date.  Information about DHS’s public charge rule, including the implicated benefits, may be found here.

Individuals applying for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident will be required to provide extensive financial documentation, including credit reports, to establish that they will not become a public charge in the future. These individuals will be subject to a discretionary “totality of circumstances” test that will weigh such factors as the applicant’s age, health, household size, level of education and skills, financial assets  and liabilities, among others.  Applicants may be subject to ongoing credit checks while their applications are pending, over months, and in many cases, years.

Foreign nationals and their employers should expect that it will take longer to analyze, prepare and file applications given the scope of the new public charge inquiry and the increased documentation that will required. For additional information, please contact your designated Gibney representative or email info@gibney.com

On February 5, 2020, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that New York residents will no longer be eligible to apply or re-apply for several Trusted Traveler Programs (TTPs), which serve to expedite travel screening and entry to the U.S. at major airports nationwide.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR NEW YORK RESIDENTS

• All New York residents (including U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents) will no longer be eligible to apply (or re-apply) for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) TTPs including Global Entry, FAST, SENTRI and NEXUS.
• For now, enrollees with current TTP memberships may continue to participate in designated programs until their current membership expires, but will be unable to re-apply once their current membership expires.
• New York residents with pending TTP membership applications will be denied.
• TSA Pre-Check, the TTP that offers faster airport security lines for domestic travel, was not specifically named in the DHS letter. It is unclear how the Administration’s action will impact participation in TSA Pre-Check.

BACKGROUND

The TTP restriction is DHS’s response to New York State’s Driver’s License Access and Privacy Act (known as the “Green Light Law”), which took effect in December 2019. The law allows all New York residents aged 16 and older to apply for a standard (not for federal purpose) non-commercial driver license or learner permit regardless of their immigration status in the U.S. Proponents of the Green Light Law view it as a public safety measure, as it allows all New York residents regardless of immigration status to be registered drivers with the state. DHS’s complaint is that the law limits the ability of the federal government to access state driver’s license information. TTPs entail extensive national security vetting independent of any state program, including state driver’s license programs. Moreover, a New York State driver’s license conveys no right to participate in a TTP. In this respect, the Administration’s punitive action against New York residents appears to be politically motivated.

It is anticipated that approximately 175,000 New York residents will be removed from the TTPs by the end of 2020, and that between 150,000 and 200,000 New Yorkers will be unable to renew their memberships in each of the next five years. In addition, more than 80,000 New Yorkers who have already applied for new TTP membership will not be permitted to participate.

New York State has not yet indicated whether it will pursue legal action against the Trump Administration. A senior advisor to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo stated “This is obviously political retaliation by the federal government and we’re going to review our legal options.”

If you have any questions about this alert, please contact your Gibney representative or email info@gibney.com.

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the Coronavirus  a global public health emergency and the U.S. State Department issued an advisory not to travel to China.

On January 31, 2020, the President signed a Proclamation imposing travel restrictions for certain travelers who are visiting or have visited China within a designated period, effective 5:00 PM EST on February 2, 2020.   U.S. Embassies and Consulates in China have since been closed to the public through at least February 7, 2020.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR EMPLOYERS AND FOREIGN NATIONALS

The Proclamation bans entry to the U.S. by foreign nationals who are currently visiting (or who have recently visited) China within 14-days prior to their attempted entry to the U.S.

• Individuals currently abroad who have recently visited China (or who are currently in China) and are subject to the travel restriction should consider travel plans prior to  returning to the U.S.   This may include traveling through a third country without similar restrictions and remaining there for at least 14 days before entering the U.S.  Travelers attempting to transit through the U.S. to a third country should also be aware that they may be subject to the restriction and/or quarantine.
• There is currently no set termination date for the travel restrictions. The restrictions will be reviewed every 15 days with the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
• Foreign nationals with visa applications currently processing in China should monitor the U.S. Embassy website for updates on Embassy/Consulate re-openings. Emergency services for U.S. citizens are still currently available at U.S. Embassies and Consulates in China.

 EXEMPTIONS UNDER TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

 The following individuals are exempt from the travel restrictions and may still be able to travel to the U.S. However, note that these travelers may still be subject to quarantine and/or screening procedures as indicated below:

• U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs or green card holders).*
• Immediate family members of U.S. citizens and LPRs, including spouses and children.*
• Parents, legal guardians, and siblings of minor unmarried U.S. citizens or LPRs.*
• The Proclamation only applies to individuals visiting or present in the People’s Republic of China. Visitors to Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macau are not currently travel restricted and are not subject to related quarantine/screening procedures.

*Travelers who are exempt from the travel restriction are still subject to U.S. Department of Homeland Security screening and quarantine and will be routed through designated U.S. major airports. Note that ALL travelers, including American nationals, who have visited China’s Hubei province within 14 days of their return are subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon entry to the U.S.  Travelers who have visited other areas of mainland China within 14 days of entry to the U.S. are subject to a health screening and quarantine if symptomatic.

For more information on this evolving issue, please contact your designated Gibney representative or email info@gibney.com.

On January 31, 2020, the President signed a Proclamation imposing visa and admission restrictions on Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania and Myanmar (Burma). Restrictions for these countries are limited to immigrant visa (“green card”) programs and include individuals seeking permanent resident status through family or employment-based sponsorship, or pursuant to the Diversity Lottery program.  The restrictions will take effect February 21, 2020.

What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals

• For nationals of Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Eritrea and Myanmar (Burma): Eligibility for immigrant visas is suspended, with limited exceptions where eligibility is based on having provided assistance to the U.S. government.
• For nationals of Sudan and Tanzania: Nationals from these countries will no longer be eligible to participate in the annual Diversity Lottery program.
• Foreign nationals who have already been issued immigrant visas are not affected by the new restrictions.
• Foreign nationals from these countries may still be issued nonimmigrant (temporary) visas, such as business visitor visas, student visas and temporary work visas. However, these individuals should expect increased scrutiny in visa issuance and at ports of entry to the U.S.
• Foreign nationals who believe they may be subject to the restrictions should consult with immigration counsel before departing from or planning travel to the U.S.

Exemptions under Expanded Travel Ban

The following individuals from the covered countries are exempt from the expanded travel ban:

• U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders).
• Foreign nationals admitted or paroled into the U.S. on or after the effective date.
• Foreign nationals with valid travel documents that are not visas issued on the effective date or thereafter.
• Dual nationals traveling on a passport from a non-designated country.
• Foreign nationals traveling on diplomatic visas.
• Individuals already granted asylum and refugees granted admission to the U.S.
• Individuals granted withholding of removal, advance parole, or protection under Convention Against Torture.

Prior Travel Bans Remain in Effect

The existing admission restrictions for foreign nationals from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, North Korea and Venezuela remain in place. These restrictions have been in place since December 4, 2017. Country specific information is available from the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security.

Obtaining a Waiver

An application for a waiver may be made to the Department of State through a consular post abroad. To obtain a waiver, an applicant must demonstrate undue hardship if entry were denied, entry would not pose a threat to national security and entry is in the national interest.  In practice, waivers are discretionary and rarely granted.

For more information on this evolving issue, please contact your designated Gibney representative or email info@gibney.com.

Today USCIS announced that, except for in the state of Illinois, it will implement its public charge rule as of Monday, February 24, 2020.  USCIS is expected to publish updated forms, instructions and guidance on its website during the week of February 3, 2020.

As previously reported, in general, individuals seeking admission to the U.S. must show they are not likely to become a public charge. The new public charge rule dramatically expands the definition of pubic charge for individuals seeking to extend or change their temporary status in the U.S., as well as for individuals applying for lawful permanent resident status.

Nonimmigrants seeking a change or extension of status in the U.S. will be required to show that they have not received certain public benefits exceeding a designated threshold as of the rule’s implementation date.

Individuals applying for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident will be required to provide extensive financial documentation, including credit reports, to establish that they will not become a public charge in the future. These individuals will be subject to a discretionary “totality of circumstances” test that will weigh such factors as the applicant’s age, health, household size, level of education and skills, financial assets  and liabilities, among others.  Applicants may be subject to ongoing credit checks while their applications are pending, over months, and in many cases, years.

Gibney will be working with clients to prepare for these substantial changes.  Foreign nationals and their employers should expect that it will take longer to analyze, prepare and file applications given the scope of the new public charge inquiry and the increased documentation that will required.

In December 2019 the United States Department of State (DOS) made significant changes to the visa reciprocity fees and validity periods for nonimmigrant visa applicants from certain countries. Nonimmigrant visa applicants from certain countries may be required to pay a visa issuance fee after their application is approved. When a foreign government imposes fees on U.S. citizens for certain types of visas, the U.S. will impose a reciprocal fee for similar types of visas.

Change Highlights

In December 2019 DOS implemented significant changes to validity periods and fees:

• Australia: Impacted visa types include E-1 and E-2 Treaty Traders/Investors, F-1 Students, H-1B Specialty Occupation Workers, L Intracompany Transferees, R Religious Workers and B-1/B-2 Visitors.
  The visa issuance fee for the E-1/E-2 increased from $105 to $3,574 and the validity period was reduced to 48 months. The H-1B fee increased from $105 to $1,295. The L-1/L-2 fee increased from $105 to $1,790 and the validity period was reduced to 48 months.

• France: The maximum L-1/L-2 validity period was reduced from 5 years to 17 months and the E-1/E-2 validity period was reduced from 5 years to 25 months. The H-1B fee was increased to $480.00.

• Israel: The L-1/L-2 visa validity period was reduced to 48 months and the E-2 visa may only be issued for 24 months.

Other countries with recent reciprocity fee and/or visa validity periods updates include: Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Chile, Guinea Bissau, Norway, Malta, Mauritania, Madagascar, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Spain.

Determining Reciprocity Fees
The full DOS reciprocity tables can be viewed here.

What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals

• Visa issuance fees and validity periods should be taken into consideration as part of the planning process
• Changes may impact the ability for foreign nationals to extend their visa validity period
• Changes to fees and validity periods are ongoing – review the reciprocity schedule in advance

If you have any questions about this alert, please contact your Gibney representative or email info@gibney.com.