USCIS to Abandon Strict Trump Administration Naturalization Test:
Following President Biden’s executive order seeking to overhaul the immigration system of the United States the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services have announced they are abandoning a revised version of the naturalization civics test proposed by the Trump Administration in December 2020. The proposed test was significantly more burdensome and likely would disadvantage nonnative English speakers. The USCIS will revert to the 2008 Naturalization Civics test immediately.
Victory in Class Action Lawsuit Granting Preliminary Relief for Diversity Visa Applicants:
On February 19, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued an injunction preserving and extending the validity of most diversity visas applicants from the 2020 diversity visa lottery. Accordingly diversity visa applicants who were suspended from applying for immigrant visas are now encouraged to schedule emergency visa appointments. Diversity Visa applicants also have a continuing benefit of a national interest exception to allow them to enter the United States if they were to be subject to health related travel restrictions.
DHS and HHS Reopen a Child Detention Center on the Border and Mexico Processing Starts:
Citing a covid-19 related overcrowding issue the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Health and Human have reopened a child detention facility in Carrizo Springs, Texas. Although at odds with the Biden Administration’s stated immigration policy aims the DHS has stated the facility is needed due to a January surge in border migration. Biden’s humanitarian policies have contributed to the need for more facilities as migrants are not being turned away at the border. On the other side of the border, individuals turned away by Trump administration policy to return potentially eligible migrants to Mexico will now benefit from a DHS policy to have their MPP cases reviewed if they have an active case with the immigration authorities.
Tully Rinckey is able to assist people and organizations world-wide with domestic and international immigration matters. Attorney Michael Freestone is well versed in representing large corporations and is able to navigate complex immigration issues and analyze the facts and recommend the best course of action.
