DHS Considers ‘Known-Employer’ Program between U.S. and Canada
DHS is considering implementing a Known-Employer program that will allow for a faster and easier immigration process for U.S. employers seeking to hire Canadian nationals. USCIS, CBP, and ICE would work cooperatively to implement the program by late 2015. As part of the U.S. and Canada Beyond the Border initiative and the North American Free Trade Agreement, the program is intended to facilitate a healthy business relationship between the U.S. and Canada by reducing processing times and application costs for employment-based immigration benefit requests filed by U.S. employers for Canadian hires.
President Obama Imposes Travel and Trade Restrictions against North Korea
Following the attack on Sony and subsequent terrorist threats, President Obama signed an executive order imposing immigration restrictions and economic sanctions against North Korea. The order suspends unrestricted immigrant and nonimmigrant entry into the US for any North Korean government official, any member of the Worker’s Party, and any person deemed to be controlled by or working on behalf of the North Korean government. The order also strengthens pre-existing embargoes against North Korea, banning trade with any individual associated with the North Korean government or Worker’s Party.
DHS Extends TPS for Syria
Due to civil unrest in Syria, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson extended Temporary Protected Status for Syria an additional 18 months – effective April 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015. Current Syrian TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their protected status must re-register between January 5, 2015 and March 6, 2015. First time applicants must submit their applications before July 6, 2015.
Current TPS Syrian Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) with an expiration date of March 31, 2015 are now valid until September 30, 2015. Eligible Syrian TPS beneficiaries who request new employment authorization will receive an EAD with an expiration date of September 30, 2016.
More information is available on the USCIS website: http://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status-deferred-enforced-departure/tps-designated-country-syria/temporary-protected-status-designated-country-syria
DHS Extends TPS for El Salvador
Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson extended Temporary Protected Status for nationals of El Salvador – effective March 10, 2015 through September 9, 2015. Current Salvadorian TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their TPS status must re-register between January 7, 2015 and March 9, 2015.
Current TPS Salvadoran EADs with an expiration date of March 9, 2015 are now valid until September 9, 2015. Eligible Salvadoran TPS beneficiaries who request new employment authorization will receive an EAD with an expiration date of September 9, 2016.
More information is available on the USCIS website:
http://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status-deferred-enforced-departure/tps-designated-country-el-salvador/temporary-protected-status-designated-country-el-salvador
DOS Amends Border Crossing Card Fee
The Department of State amended the reduced Border Crossing Card (BCC) fee paid by Mexican citizens under 15 years of age whose parent or guardian applies for a border crossing card. The Afghan Allies Extension Act of 2014 added a $1 surcharge for Machine Readable Visa (MRV) and BCC application processing. Effective January 1, 2015, the same $1 surcharge will apply to reduced BCC applications, raising the total price to $17.
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