November 2020
November 30, 2020Planning for Holiday Travel
If you are a foreign national planning travel in December, please be sure to check your passport and U.S. visa for sufficient remaining validity. If you are an applicant for adjustment of status, double check your advance parole document for validity and be sure to keep that document safe during travel. If you will be applying for a visa at a U.S. consulate abroad, allow for potential delays in visa issuance. Also expect thorough screenings and delays upon reentry to the U.S. following travel abroad. Foreign nationals who are planning to travel should consider several additional factors this year, including COVID-19 policies worldwide, reduced operations at the U.S. consulates, and immigration travel bans remaining in place through at least the end of 2020.
COVID-19 Update
U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico land border restrictions have been extended through December 21, 2020. Restrictions permit only “essential travel” across the borders. Air travel remains unaffected by the provisions. Travel that is considered to be essential includes travel by U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who are returning the U.S., travel for lawful cross-border trade, work in the U.S., medical purposes, attendance at educational institutions, emergency response situations, travel by members of the U.S. armed forces and other forms of travel as determined by the CBP officer on a case-by-case basis.
ICE has extended its interim COVID-19 protections for Form I-9 compliance through December 31, 2020.
New Public Charge Rule
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has put the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) public charge rule back in effect by placing an administrative stay on a November 2nd lower court ruling blocking implementation of the rule. Until further notice, adjustment of status applications and nonimmigrant extension and change of status applications must continue to be submitted with public charge forms and documentation.
FY 2022 Diversity Visa Lottery
Entrants into the Diversity Visa Lottery have until Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at noon EST to register online at the State Department’s official lottery website.