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The U.S. State Department is again urging U.S. citizens to leave Russia following the country’s mobilization of its citizens to the armed forces.
Key Points:
BAL Analysis: The situation in Russia may change with little or no notice and companies with employees in the country are encouraged to pay close attention to State Department warnings and information.
This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it is automatically extending the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards) to 24 months beyond the expiration date for those who file Form I-90.
Additional Information: Foreign nationals who no longer have their Green Card and need evidence of their lawful permanent resident status while they wait for their replacement Green Card can ask for an appointment at a USCIS Field Office by contacting the USCIS Contact Center. More information for those needing to replace a Green Card is available here.
U.S. officials said this week that the U.S. embassy and consulates in India are scheduling appointments for all visa categories but that wait times remain significantly delayed.
In a press conference with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the State Department is “surging resources” to address a visa backlog that developed because of COVID-related staffing and funding issues.
“We have a plan when it comes to India to address the backlog of visas that’s built up,” Blinken said, according to a State Department transcript. “I think you’ll see that play out in the coming months, but it’s something that we’re very focused on.”
Background: Delays have plagued U.S. embassies and consulates around the world. State Department officials have said that visa processing times are improving but that progress varies from post to post.
BAL Analysis: In his remarks this week, Secretary Blinken said he is “extremely sensitive” to visa issues and said officials would remain “very focused” on reducing the backlog. For now, appointment and processing delays should be expected at embassies and consulates in India. Service levels and processing times at posts around the world vary. BAL will continue to monitor efforts to address the delays and will provide information as it becomes available. Employers and employees should continue to consult their BAL professional before planning international travel.
Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
The State Department will open registration for the Diversity Visa 2024 lottery Wednesday, Oct. 5. Up to 55,000 diversity immigrant visas will be available to nationals of countries with historically low immigration to the U.S.
BAL Analysis: The State Department urges applicants not to wait until the final week to register because heavy demand may cause website delays. Individuals should also be aware of scams that frequently target DV lottery registrants. Individuals are reminded that the registration process is free and that the only way to enter the lottery and obtain lottery results is via the State Department’s E-DV website.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced that it would extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Burma (Myanmar) for 18 months from Nov. 26, 2022, through May 25, 2024. DHS also temporarily suspended employment authorization requirements for certain F-1 students from Burma.
Additional Information: The decision to extend TPS for Burma was made due to the ongoing violence and threat posed on civilians lives, DHS said. The agency cited the same reasons in its decision to provide relief for nonimmigrant F-1 students. More information is available here.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USICS) has rescheduled a national stakeholder engagement on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) final rule.
Additional Information: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the final DACA regulation in the Federal Register in late August. The regulation was designed to “preserve and fortify” DACA, which shields hundreds of thousands of individuals who were brought to the U.S. unlawfully as children from deportation and allows them to apply for work authorization. It is scheduled to take effect Oct. 31; however, litigation over DACA continues and immigration advocates have stressed that litigation could delay the regulation’s Oct. 31 effective date. Individuals in need of renewals should submit applications as early as they are eligible, given the uncertainty around the litigation.
The U.S. Embassy in Havana has announced that it will fully resume immigrant visas services in Cuba beginning in early 2023.
Additional Information: More information is available on the U.S. Embassy in Havana’s website.
BAL Analysis: The U.S. Embassy in Havana’s upcoming resumption of full immigrant visa services for Cuban nationals is welcome news as these services have been suspended since 2017 and the resumption will simplify visa procedures for some applicants. BAL will continue to monitor these developments and will provide more information as it becomes available.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reminded the public of special services made available to those affected by natural disasters such as the flooding in Pakistan and Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico.
On a case-by-case basis, individuals impacted by natural disasters and certain other unforeseen circumstances may request:
Additional Information: Individuals who are making a request listed above should explain how the flooding in Pakistan or Hurricane Fiona in Puerto rico created the need for such a request. Those who lost evidence should include an explanation and a copy of a police report, insurance claim or other report to support a request.
Employers and individuals are reminded that all Form I-9 requirements remain in place and should review instructions on how to verify employment eligibility of employees whose documents are lost or damaged. Individuals are reminded to update their addresses with USCIS to avoid possible delays in processing. More information regarding the special measures is available here.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USICS) will hold a national stakeholder engagement on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) final rule.
The U.S. State Department has provided updated processing times for routine and expedited passport services.
Additional Information: Processing times do not begin the day an application is mailed but when the State Department receives the application. It may take two to four weeks from the day the application is mailed for the status of the application to state “In Process.”
Some applications may be delayed because the State Department requests additional information. Applicants must respond to such requests in order for processing to resume. More information regarding requests for more information is available here.
BAL Analysis: U.S. citizens intending to travel abroad and in need of a new passport should renew their passport as soon as possible to avoid delays and complications. Employers and employees should continue to consult their BAL professional before planning international travel.
This alert has been provided by BAL U.S. Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.