United States agency responsible for granting immigrant visas and “green card” residency permits said on Tuesday that it would avoid a planned furlough of 13,000 employees in two weeks but warned of long wait times.
News
National Governors Association Announces New Gubernatorial Leadership For 2020-21
The National Governors Association (NGA) today announced its new Executive Committee leadership for 2020-21 as New York Governor Andrew Cuomo became chair of the association representing all 55 leaders of states and territories.
Spike in fees hurts legal immigration
According to CNN, It increased the cost of online naturalization applications from $640 to $1,160. The naturalization fee will represent the full cost to process the application, the agency says, plus a proportional share of overhead costs, a change from previous policy.
US to raise naturalization application fees by $500
The Trump administration is dramatically increasing fees for dozens of immigration and work applications, including a more than 80 percent increase on naturalization applications and a first-time fee for asylum applicants.
Immigration agency pushes back 13,000 furloughs
The immigration agency previously said it would have to furlough more than 13,000 employees at the beginning of August if Congress did not provide emergency supplemental funding.
H-1B Visa Lawsuit
The recent proclamation suspended the entry of foreign nationals on H-1B, L-1, H-2B and (most) J-1 temporary visas until at least December 31, 2020. The plaintiffs argue that overrides Congress. “The proclamation is unlawful”
Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s mask mandate to take effect today
The governor’s mandate says masks must be worn in all indoor and outdoor environments where people are exposed to non-household members and where social distancing isn’t possible.
Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson issues statewide mask mandate
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) issued an order Thursday making his state the latest to mandate that residents wear face masks in public to curb the spread of COVID-19. The mandate will go into effect Monday.
US immigration courts back in business despite coronavirus
Backlog of 1.2 million cases awaits as courts in New Jersey, Maryland and Michigan reopen to non-detained immigrants.
Supreme Court Rules Against Trump Administration In DACA Case
A narrowly divided Supreme Court extended Thursday a life-support line to some 650,000 so-called DREAMers, allowing them to remain safe from deportation for now, while the Trump administration jumps through the administrative hoops that the court said are required before ending the program.