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Congress placed new restrictions on access to the US Visa Waiver Program on December 18, 2015. Dual nationals of Iran, Iraq, Syria or Sudan may no longer use the Visa Wavier Program. Nor can individuals who have traveled to one of those countries since March 1, 2011 use the VWP.
Those in the above categories must obtain a B-1 or B-2 visitor visa at a US consulate before travel to the US. On February 18, 2016, DHS added Libya, Somalia, and Yemen to the list of “countries of concern.” Those who have traveled to Libya, Somalia or Yemen since March 1, 2011, may no longer travel to the US on the VWP. However, VWP travel restrictions do not apply to dual nationals of Libya, Somalia or Yemen at this time.
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On September 25, 2015, DoS published a revised October 2015 Visa Bulletin superseding the original published September 9, 2015. The government has adjusted Dates for Filing Applications for some Family-Sponsored and Employment-Based preference categories to better reflect a timeframe justifying immediate action.
Applicants should use the revised charts when filing an I-485. (See Employment-Based Priority Dates and Family-Based Priority Dates). DHS will rely on this revised Visa Bulletin when considering I-485 eligibility. more »
Effective May 26, 2015, USCIS will begin accepting applications for H-4 employment authorization (EAD) from certain H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B workers who are currently seeking employment-based lawful permanent resident (LPR) status in the US. more »
President Obama announced an Immigration Executive Action on November 20, 2014. Prior to that time, he had requested DHS to undertake a review to inform recommendations to reform the immigration system through executive action.
Beginning on November 12, 2014, the US and China will increase validity of short-term business and tourist visas (B-1 and B-2 visas). They will also increase validity terms for student and exchange visas (F, M, J visas).
DHS announced proposals for H4 spouse work authorization on May 6, 2014. On May 12, 2014, the DHS published two proposed rules. The first was extension of employment authorization to H4 spouses of certain H1B workers. The second was enhancing opportunities for highly-skilled workers by removing obstacles to their remaining in the US. more »
On February 28, 2014, DHS designated Chile into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Certain Chilean passport holders may enter the US without obtaining a US visa as of May 1, 2014. Requirements for participation include an approved ESTA. more »
DoS has issued a fact sheet for US citizens considering assisted reproductive technology (ART) abroad. This contains information on automatic transmission of US citizenship; passport issuance to minors; and related issues. It notes that citizenship is not necessarily automatically transmitted if Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) is used to conceive a child born outside the US. more »
Statement from Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, July 1, 2013: “After the June 2013 Supreme Court decision holding that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional, President Obama directed federal departments to ensure the decision and its implication for federal benefits for same-sex legally married couples are implemented swiftly and smoothly. To that end, effective immediately, I have directed USCIS to review immigration visa petitions filed on behalf of a same-sex spouse in the same manner as those filed on behalf of an opposite-sex spouse.” USCIS Same-Sex Marriage FAQ Update of August 7, 2013, is below. more »
On July 2, 2013, DHS issued initial guidance regarding same-sex immigration benefits following United States v. Windsor. This case overturned Section 3 the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) on June 26, 2013. more »