On October 25, 2021, the Biden Administration issued Presidential Proclamation, “Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” and officially announced the rescission of Presidential Proclamations 9984, 9992, 10143, and 10199, known as the country-specific Travel Bans for Brazil, China, India, Iran, Ireland, Schengen Area, South Africa and the United Kingdom, that have impacted the approvals of visas and limited travel of foreign nationals to the United States...

The United States Department of Homeland Security issued a statement earlier this month affirming its support for equal access to COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine distribution sites for all, including undocumented immigrants: “It is a moral and public health imperative to ensure that all individuals residing in the United States have access to the vaccine. DHS encourages all individuals, regardless of immigration status, to receive the COVID-19 vaccine once eligible under local...

On January 21, 2021, President Biden issued an Executive Order, Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel, requiring international travelers to present a negative COVID-19 test in order to enter the United States. This order takes effect on January 26, 2021. Consistent with President Biden’s Executive Order, the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) published an order in the Federal Register specifying that international travelers must produce a negative...

Through our colleagues at the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), we have learned of a possible extension and expansion of President Trump’s April 22, 2020 Presidential Proclamation 10014, “Suspending Entry of Immigrants Who Present Risk to the U.S. Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the COVID-19 Outbreak.” On April 22, 2020, President Trump issued a Presidential Proclamation suspending the issuance of immigrant visas for certain categories of intending immigrants (lawful...

On March 18, 2020, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) closed its Field Offices for in-person services due to COVID-19. This has resulted in processing delays for applicants with pending applications for adjustment of status (lawful permanent residency / “green card”) and naturalization (U.S. citizenship) which require in-person interviews. In early June, USCIS Field Offices around the United States began reopening for limited services including “drive-up” naturalization oath ceremonies. The...

Below, please find the latest information regarding COVID 19 related office closures as of April 28, 2020 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): - Temporary office closures extended through June 04, 2020 USCIS announced on April 24, 2020 that they are extending the temporary suspension of in-person services at least through June 04, 2020. USCIS advised that Local Field Offices and in-person services at local offices and support centers are preparing...

Many individuals living in the United States, including many non-citizens, are eligible to receive an Economic Impact Payment, or stimulus check, authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”). Eligible individual taxpayers should automatically receive a payment up to $1,200 and couples who file their taxes jointly will receive a payment up to $2,400. So, who is eligible for the CARES Act payment? The Internal Revenue Service...

On April 20, 2020, the President of the United States tweeted that he will sign an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States. The tweet provided no further details as to what the President meant by suspension of immigration. On April 21, 2020, President Trump stated that the order will only apply to the issuance of “Green Cards” and will last 60 days. The President stated the order...

An employer seeking to offer a foreign worker a job opportunity on a permanent basis may sponsor that foreign worker for employment-based permanent residency. Most often, this requires Labor Certification through the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The Labor Certification process, also referred to as PERM, requires that employers “test the labor market” to see if there are any qualified and available U.S. workers for its job opportunity, prior to petitioning...

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced several important policy changes in light of the COVID-19 pandemic which affect employers seeking to file Labor Certification Applications on behalf of foreign workers. On March 20, 2020, DOL announced that, in light of COVID-19, it would permit employers additional time to respond to requests from DOL regarding prevailing wage requests and Labor Certification applications. For deadlines that fall between March 13, 2020 through...

We hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy.  In an effort to keep you informed and up-to-date with applicable COVID-19 related closures and delays at the various immigration agencies, we plan to provide regular blog posts and updates. Below, please find the latest information as of April 2, 2020: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): Temporary office closure extended through at least May 03, 2020. USCIS announced on...

As the coronavirus continues to spread throughout the United States, the federal government has implemented a number of restrictions and office closures in an effort to help slow the spread of the virus. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):Local Field Offices and Application Support Centers Closed until at least April 07, 2020 (On March 25, 2020, USCIS extended closures from April 1, 2020  to April 7, 2020). Starting on March 18,...

Dear Kolko & Casey clients, friends and community: During these difficult and unpredictable times, we wanted to reach out and let you know that we are here. We remain dedicated to our Firm’s mission to contribute to the enhancement of the United States by providing creative and high-quality immigration legal services to families, businesses and individuals, with a commitment to superior customer service and communication in a collegial and supportive environment....

With the declaration of a State of Emergency in Colorado due to the global pandemic from COVID-19, many Colorado employers are facing difficult decisions about how to manage their workforce in an uncertain and quickly-changing environment. Employers who employ H-1B workers should understand what their additional obligations are, if any, when considering layoffs, terminations, and other employment changes in light of COVID-19. The information contained in this article is for general...

As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves in the United States, many employers are making the difficult decision to lay off workers. Workers, in turn, have the option to apply for unemployment benefits to support themselves through these uncertain and difficult times. Noncitizens may be concerned about applying for and receiving unemployment benefits and potentially subjecting themselves to the “public charge” ground of inadmissibility in light of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS)...

To our clients, employees, friends, vendors, staff, families and community: Kolko and Casey, P.C. would like you to know that we are doing our very best to stay vigilant and pro-active in order to keep all of us as safe as possible during this unprecedented COVID-19 health emergency. The health and safety of our clients, employees and families is our most important priority. We will continue to follow recommended hygiene protocols,...