A 06/10/21 USCIS news alert describes additional temporary filing flexibilities for benefits filers impacted by USCIS Lockbox delays. These flexibilities are in addition to the OPT filing flexibilities, still in effect, that were announced on February 26, 2021. USCIS Announces Lockbox Filing

Numerous state laws on college student athletes being compensated for the use of their name, image, and likeness (NIL) took effect on July 1, 2021. Other states are planning or considering such legislation, and there are several bills being considered in Congress, which could preempt state laws if

Source: Table downloaded by NAFSA on 3/23/2022 from https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-6-part-f-chapter-3, "Appendices" tab. Appendix: Outstanding Professor or Researcher Petitions - First Step of Reviewing Evidence Step One: Review Evidence Submitted with Petition for Outstanding Professor

On May 6, 2021, NAFSA Executive Director and CEO Dr. Esther Brimmer sent a letter to SEVP Director Rachel Canty, to thank SEVP for its April 26, 2021 COVID-19 guidance for the 2021-2022 academic year, and suggesting "additional clarifications to further help schools and students operate responsibly

Check these government sources on a daily basis to keep track of new immigration policy and regulatory initiatives.

On September 30, 2021, the Department of Education (DoEd) released an updated set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) grants under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. A prior, May, 2021, FAQ revision had reversed a narrow position taken by

ARCHIVED CONTENT maintained for research and reference purposes only. This page archives information on the geographic COVID-19 Proclamations that limited entry to the United States by individuals who were physically present in a covered country during the 14-day period prior to their planned entry

A revision to USCIS Policy Manual 2 USCIS-PM A.4.B. restores a certain amount of deference to employment-based petition extension adjudications, and requires adjudicators to "obtain supervisory approval before deviating from a prior approval in their final decision." USCIS Policy Alert PA-2021-05

A pair of memos from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provide guidance to the respective DHS bureaus on "the preferred use of immigration terminology within the federal government. The Administration’s view is also reflected in the U.S

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a request for information at 86 FR 20398 (April 19, 2021), titled Identifying Barriers Across Benefits and Services, with a 30-day comment period. "The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is seeking comments from the public on how U.S