Last month, President Joe Biden (“President Biden”) wrapped up his first 100 days as President of the United States – focusing on a myriad of issues from the Coronavirus pandemic (“COVID-19”) to America’s immigration system. Inasmuch as immigration affairs remained at the forefront under the previous administration, America’s immigration system continues to be a pressing topic for the Biden administration. President Biden has taken various actions and positions on key immigration issues, many of which could significantly impact businesses that regularly ...
Since its 2012 inception, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ("DACA") program has survived various lawsuits challenging its constitutionality as well as an attempt by the Department of Homeland Security ("DHS") to rescind the program. Despite its checkered history, DACA looks poised to continue into the future after the Biden administration recently issued an Executive Order directing the Attorney General to "take all actions he deems appropriate, consistent with applicable law, to preserve and fortify DACA."
DACA provides protection from removal as well as work ...
From regulations designed to significantly alter the H-1B program to travel and visa bans, the immigration landscape has changed at a fast and furious pace over the last four years. Many legal practitioners expect more of the same during the Biden administration. After the November elections, comprehensive immigration reform and a path to citizenship for DACA beneficiaries are suddenly back on the political agenda. Here are the top five immigration expectations employers should have over the next four years.
- H-4 EAD is Here to Stay: Despite being in a constant state of flux over the ...
After months of anticipation, it appears the first major H-1B program-related change will be the recession of employment authorization for certain H-4 spouses. The change should have the largest effect on Chinese and Indian nationals who comprise the highest percentage of current H-4 work authorized beneficiaries.
Spouses and children of H-1B visa holders receive H-4 status so they can remain in the United States with their H-1B beneficiary relative. Historically, individuals in H-4 status were not granted work authorization. In 2015, the Obama Administration implemented a ...
On September 5, 2017, the Department of Homeland Security ("DHS") issued a memorandum rescinding an Obama-era program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ("DACA"). DACA permits certain undocumented aliens that came to the United States before their sixteenth birthday to remain in the United States and apply for renewable two (2) year periods of work authorization. DACA does not provide beneficiaries with lawful immigration status, but many view the program as the first step on the path to citizenship for "Dreamers." DHS will "wind down" DACA over the next six (6 ...
One of the first things that may come to mind when thinking about the Trump Immigration Plan is the promise to build a Mexican-financed physical wall on the southern border of the United States. While the wall was certainly the President-elect's most publicized immigration stance during the campaign, he has proposed a number of other actions that could directly affect employers. Here is a quick synopsis of five (5) immigration policy changes which could significantly impact U.S. employers.
- Canceling the Deferred Action Executive Orders (DACA & DAPA)
In June 2012, President Obama ...