Morgan Bailey

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Note:  Originally published on March 3, 2022, on Mayer Brown’s dedicated Ukraine Crisis Spotlight site.

The European Union (EU) passed a “Temporary Protection Directive” for Ukrainians and others fleeing the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. The directive will provide immediate, temporary protection to these individuals. The provision is intended to be used in exceptional circumstances when the member states’ asylum systems would be overwhelmed by a mass influx of refugees.…

Continue Reading EU Welcomes Ukrainians Fleeing the Conflict

Note:  Originally published on March 4, 2022.  The number of people departing Ukraine has been updated from over 1.2 million to over 2 million.

Over two million people have departed Ukraine for neighboring European countries since the Russia-Ukraine military conflict escalated on February 24, 2022, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) data portal. A spokesperson for the UNHCR reported that as many as 4 million Ukrainians—nearly 10 percent of the country’s population—are expected to flee to other countries if the fighting continues.…

Continue Reading Ukraine: Two Weeks Into the War with Russia, Over Two Million Displaced

Over the past few weeks, the White House has highlighted the continued importance of attracting talented scientists and engineers from around the world, and supporting the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). These fields are considered critical to the prosperity, security, and health of the United States. In the past, the White House has expressed concerns about global adversaries outpacing the U.S. by developing expertise in STEM subjects and generating more breakthrough and developing technologies that change markets or alter the balance of military power.
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Continue Reading White House Announces Actions to Attract STEM Talent and Strengthen U.S. Economy and Competitiveness

Updated:  December 21, 2021

Federal law requires that employers must properly complete Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, for each worker hired to perform labor or services in the United States. The form documents that the employer took steps to verify the identity and employment authorization of the worker. Normally, the employer must physically examine each document submitted by the employee to determine whether it reasonably appears to be genuine and related to the person presenting it.…

Continue Reading DHS Extends Form I-9 Requirement Flexibility (Effective January 1, 2022)

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced its preliminary fiscal year (FY) 2021 agency statistics and accomplishments.  Over the years, the agency consistently has reported on substantially similar metrics that align with its mission, along with policy, legislative and regulatory items that comport with the strategic direction of the Administration.
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Continue Reading USCIS Announces Fiscal Year 2021 Accomplishments

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published details in the Federal Register about how it will implement the temporary “safe haven” program, also called Deferred Enforced Departure – (DED), for certain Hong Kong residents in the United States. The notice also provides instructions for employers regarding acceptable documentation to hire workers under this program.
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Continue Reading U.S. Government Issues New Details of Safe Haven Program for Hong Kong Residents

The U.S. government administers an annual Diversity Immigrant Visa Program that, historically, offers one of the most expeditious paths to legal permanent residency and the American dream. Registration is currently open through November 9, 2021. The application is submitted electronically and registration is open to candidates around the globe, including to foreign workers in the United States who seek a “fast-track” to permanent residency.
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Continue Reading Registration for U.S. Diversity Visa Program Open Until November 9

On October 8, 2021, President Biden officially set an annual ceiling of 125,000 for refugee admissions to the United States during Fiscal Year (FY) 2022. This number represents the maximum number of refugees that may be admitted to the United States through September 30, 2022. The President set the annual refugee ceiling after consulting with members of the Senate and House Judiciary Committees.
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Continue Reading White House Raises the Cap on Refugee Admissions to 125,000

Federal law requires that employers must properly complete Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, for each worker hired to perform labor or services in the United States. The form documents that the employer took steps to verify the identity and employment authorization of the worker. Normally, the employer must physically examine each document submitted by the employee to determine whether it reasonably appears to be genuine and related to the person presenting it.

Due to safety precautions implemented to protect communities from the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued guidance in March 2020 that employers may temporarily postpone the in-person verification requirement with a remote inspection (e.g., video, fax, email). The announcement included instructions for annotating the Form I-9 when using the flexibility rules. Recently, DHS extended this policy through December 31, 2021. …
Continue Reading DHS Extends Flexibilities of Form I-9 Employment Requirements