A recent settlement between Microsoft Corporation and the US Department of Justice Civil Rights Division provides guidance to companies for avoiding discrimination liability when screening candidates for immigration work authorization as part of their hiring process.
On September 24, 2020, the Department of State released the October 2020 Visa Bulletin advancing EB-3 Indian priority dates significantly. The dates that govern the ability to file adjustment of status (“green card”) applications for thousands of foreign workers advanced 5 years. This opens the door for many long languishing cases to be filed. Given the fact that all U.S. Embassies and Consulates are not currently open to the public for visa interviews, it is difficult to imagine that this proclamation has any real immediate effect. Anyone who could get an immigrant visa has already gotten an immigrant visa. Therefore, this proclamation essentially extends the status quo for at least 60 days.
On April 22, 2020, President Trump signed a proclamation refusing entry to foreign nationals seeking to enter the U.S. as immigrants after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 23, 2020. The ban lasts for an initial period of 60 days. Given the fact that all U.S. Embassies and Consulates are not currently open to the public for visa interviews, it is difficult to imagine that this proclamation has any real immediate effect. Anyone who could get an immigrant visa has already gotten an immigrant visa. Therefore, this proclamation essentially extends the status quo for at least 60 days.
There is much uncertainty surrounding the announcement by President Donald Trump that he will sign an executive order temporarily suspending all U.S. immigration in light of the coronavirus pandemic. As the president has not signed the executive order, all information available is speculation.
It’s hard to believe, but it has almost been 30 days since the country first began sheltering in place. Unfortunately, there are a few H-1B / E-3 posting requirements that are triggered when employees are moved to locations not listed as work sites on their H-1B / E-3 applications.
This blog post is intended to provide a source of COVID-19 information provided by agencies and organizations. International travel issues and impediments are arising rapidly. These resources are updated internally by the hosts and reflect the most recent and reliable information available to the public.
This note regards our preparations in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Inhabitants of six counties of the San Francisco Bay Area were instructed at 1pm on Monday 16 March to remain at home and “Shelter in Place” through Tuesday 7 April. We are taking appropriate steps to ensure the safety of our staff and our clients. The situation is fluid, and current exceptions permit us to provide essential services from our office and to facilitate the activities of our remote workers. We plan to meet all deadlines.
