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Rajiv's Comments in the News - First bi-annual agenda of Biden admin scraps proposed move of fixed visa tenure for international students

Published by: The Times of India  - Date: June 12, 2021

Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:

Rajiv S Khanna, Arlington based Immigration Attorney had then explained to TOI that this would cause problems for international students. A four-year cap is definitely shorter than a PhD or even a bachelor’s degree course because students can opt for an extra semester.

For more details please see the attachment below.

USCIS Announces Lockbox Filing Flexibilities

Release Date 

06/10/2021

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will offer filing flexibilities to provide relief to certain applicants and petitioners impacted by delays at a USCIS lockbox. These flexibilities only apply to benefit requests submitted to a USCIS lockbox and not to USCIS service centers or field offices.

The following temporary flexibilities are effective for 60 days from June 10 until Aug. 9, 2021:

USCIS Updates Policies to Improve Immigration Services

Release Date 

06/09/2021

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has issued new policy updates in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify the criteria and circumstances for expedited processing; improve request for evidence (RFE) and notice of intent to deny (NOID) guidance; and increase the validity period for initial and renewal employment authorization documents (EADs) for certain noncitizens with pending adjustment of status applications.

USCIS Announces Pilot Program for Credit Card Payments Using Form G-1450 When Filing Form I-485

Release Date 

06/02/2021

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced a pilot program for accepting credit card payments using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, for U nonimmigrants filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.

DHS Extends Form I-9 Requirement Flexibility (Effective June 1, 2021)

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced an extension of the flexibility in complying with requirements related to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, due to COVID-19.

This temporary guidance was set to expire May 31, 2021. Because of ongoing precautions related to COVID-19, DHS has extended the Form I-9 requirement flexibilities from June 1 to August 31, 2021.

USCIS Eases Visitor Restrictions for Fully Vaccinated Individuals

Release Date 

05/27/2021

Due to updated guidance from the CDC, USCIS has updated its visitor policy. Fully vaccinated individuals no longer have to wear a face covering. Individuals two years old and older who are not fully vaccinated must still wear a face covering.

To be considered fully vaccinated, it must be at least two weeks after receiving a second dose in a two-dose series or at least two weeks after receiving a dose of a single-dose vaccine.