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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued policy guidance on how the agency processes Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, to prevent fraudulent exceptions to naturalization requirements. Key Points: Under this policy guidance, USCIS is focusing greater attention on the accuracy of medical certifications and
The government of Canada extended the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) until Dec. 31, 2025, to offer safe, legal immigration pathways and work opportunities to refugees and persons with similar protection needs. Key Points: The EMPP helps skilled refugees and other displaced people apply for
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated its Policy Manual with guidance on how the agency discloses derogatory information upon which an adverse decision is based. Key Points: The policy guidance states that a detailed description of the derogatory information will be provided to the
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating its Policy Manual to clarify that a Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, is only valid while the application the Form I-693 was submitted with is pending. Key Points:
The Labor Department posted updated processing times for permanent labor certification (PERM) applications and prevailing wage determination (PWD) requests. PERM Processing Times: As of June 9, the department was adjudicating PERM applications filed in February 2024 and earlier and reviewing appeals for reconsideration filed in March
The U.S. State Department released the July Visa Bulletin. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced filings for employment-based visa preference categories must use the Final Action Dates chart. China dates advanced slightly in every category and India showed slight advancement
The Trump administration’s Presidential Proclamation restricting entry to the U.S. from 19 countries has gone into effect as of June 9. The administration’s additional Proclamation restricting entry under student and exchange visitor programs at Harvard University has been put on
The Department of Homeland Security published notice in the Federal Register that the designation of Nepal for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) will terminate on Aug. 5, 2025. Key Points: The notice states that the DHS Secretary determined that Nepal no longer continues to meet the conditions
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada introduced new legislation extending citizenship by descent beyond the current first-generation limit. Key Points: Currently, the Citizenship Act has a first-generation limit to citizenship by descent for individuals born abroad. The bill’s new framework for citizenship by descent would allow
The Trump administration issued two Presidential Proclamations on June 4 with the first taking effect June 9 and imposing full and partial travel restrictions barring entry to the U.S. for 19 countries, subject to certain exceptions. The second imposes restrictions
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will only accept the updated Jan. 20, 2025, edition of the N-600K starting July 3, 2025. Key Points: The N-600K form is the application for citizenship and issuance of certificate used to apply for naturalization of a child under the age
Homeland Security published notice in the Federal Register that the designation of Cameroon for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) will terminate on Aug. 4, 2025. Key Points: The notice states that the DHS Secretary determined that Cameroon no longer continues to meet the conditions for the designation
The Minister of Public Safety introduced the Strong Borders Act to secure Canadian borders against transnational organized crime, the flow of illegal fentanyl and money laundering. Key Points: The bill aims to secure the border by: Amending the Customs Act to ensure points of
Starting July 3, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will only accept the 01/20/25 edition of Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. If a civil surgeon signs the form on or before July 2, 2025, either the 03/09/23 or the 01/20/25 edition
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs issued a new rule granting Indian nationals visa-free entry for tourism visits that do not exceed 14 days. Key Points: Visa-free entry is available for Indian nationals in any Philippine port of entry, including airports and seaports. The purpose of the visit must be
The Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) recently announced solicitation of input for the annual determination of labor supply states (LSS) to enhance U.S. worker recruitment under the 2022 H-2A Final Rule. Key Points: The 2022 H-2A Final Rule (which became
The Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) recently announced it will permanently delete records for which a final determination was made more than five years ago from the decommissioned legacy Permanent Online System. Key Points: The system was officially decommissioned on
BAL is once again recognized as a Band 1 immigration law firm in the Chambers USA Guide 2025, earning the highest tier ranking nationwide as well as for its California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Texas and Virginia offices. BAL’s newest office in Georgia was also recognized in its first year with