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Immigration Guide - January 2022

Dear Clients, Friends and Colleagues:

It's been two years since the pandemic started and it still seems we are nowhere near the end of this long dark saga. Rising number of Covid-19 cases are fueling disruptions across industries as well as a historic backlog at U.S. immigration courts.

Mirroring this gloomy scenario is a review of Biden's checklist since taking office 12 months ago. Bold plans were outlined including a major reform bill, a 100-day deportation moratorium and a strategy to restore protections for asylum seekers. One year on and those goals have yet to reach fruition.

Thankfully, amid the gloom, there are pockets of good news. New actions have been announced recently that will allow international STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) talent to continue to make meaningful contributions to America’s scholarly, research and development, and innovation communities. There's also a move to make available an additional 20,000 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for fiscal year 2022.

We hope you find this newsletter informative and useful. More resources are available on our media page – do have a look and let us know if there's anything you'd like us to feature in the next edition of the newsletter.

Best,
Verna
COVID-19, surge in new cases create historic backlog jam in US immigration courts, report says
U.S. immigration courts have hit a historic backlog jam not seen in decades, sparking years-long delays for immigrants seeking asylum. Pending cases at the end of December reached 1.6 million – ​the largest ever in the court's four-decade history.

Biden-⁠Harris administration actions to attract STEM talent and strengthen our economy and competitiveness
The Departments of State and Homeland Security are announcing new actions to advance predictability and clarity for pathways for international STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) scholars, students, researchers and experts to contribute to innovation and job creation efforts across America. 

For first time, DHS to supplement H-2B cap with additional visas in first half of fiscal year
The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor has announced the forthcoming publication of a joint temporary final rule to make available an additional 20,000 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for fiscal year 2022. These visas will be set aside for U.S. employers seeking to employ additional workers on or before March 31, 2022. 
House adds ‘game-changing’ visas for immigrant startups and Ph.D.s
The House Rules Committee has added a significant element missing from a Senate innovation bill – visas for people who will produce innovations. House Democrats addressed that oversight by adding two potentially game-changing measures for immigrant entrepreneurs and immigrants with Ph.D.s in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields. If these measures become law, their impact could be far-reaching.
Democrats scramble to resurrect ‘chunks’ of $2 trillion spending plan backed by Biden
Democrats scrambled anew to scale back what once was a roughly $2 trillion package to overhaul the nation’s health care, education, climate, immigration and tax laws, pledging to deliver one of President Biden’s top priorities — even if they weren’t exactly sure how.
Caribbean the largest origin source of black immigrants in US, research shows
Research conducted by a Washington-based think tank has found that the Caribbean is the largest origin source of black immigrants in the United States. It also found that the fastest growth is among African immigrants.
Biden's immigration goals fade after setbacks at the US-Mexico border
Days after U.S. President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, two of his top immigration advisors outlined bold plans, including a major immigration reform bill, a 100-day deportation moratorium, and a strategy to restore protections for asylum seekers. One year later, those goals remain unfulfilled.
White House eyes vaccine mandate
for migrants
The White House is considering requiring migrants aged 5 and older to receive a coronavirus vaccination as a condition for crossing the U.S.-Mexico border to await
court hearings, Axios has learned.
February 2022 Visa Bulletin
The EB-1 category is current. There is
slight forward movement for China and India in the EB-2 category and no movement in the EB-3 category.
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