18-Month Extension & Re-Designation of Somalia for TPS Program
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended safety and protection for Somalians facing an ongoing humanitarian crisis by extending and re-designating Somalia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the U.S. The extension allows approximately 447 current beneficiaries to keep TPS through March of 2023 and allows an estimated 100 additional Somali nationals who’ve been living in the U.S. since July 19,2021 to file initial applications to obtain TPS.
Canada To Ease Border Restrictions in August
Effective August 9, 2021, the Canadian government will begin allowing entry again to vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents for non-essential travel. Travelers must use ArriveCAN (via app or web portal) to submit their travel details, and if they meet criteria, vaccinated travelers won’t have to quarantine once they arrive in Canada. Regardless of vaccination status, all travelers still have to provide a pre-entry COVID-19 negative test, but they will no longer need a post-arrival test if they’re vaccinated.
US Extends COVID-19 Travel Restrictions with Mexico and Canada
Despite Canada’s opening of borders to international travel, the Biden administration is extending non-essential travel restrictions for the U.S. borders (both north and south). The U.S. was already minimizing non-essential travel along both borders since 2020 and the restrictions don’t apply to those traveling for medical purposes, school, or to US citizens and lawful permanent residents.
USCIS Releases Statement on DACA
The Acting Director of USCIS released a statement this week, after a federal judge issued an order on DACA.
USCIS confirmed that all individuals whose DACA requests were approved prior to July 16, 2021 will continue to have DACA status and all DACA requests that were approved before July 16th will continue to be eligible to renew DACA and DACA EADs. Homeland Security will also continue to accept the filing of initial DACA and employment authorization requests, but they cannot approve initial DACA and EAD requests on account of the order issued last week.
USCIS Updates Credit Card Processing for Form I-140
USCIS has expanded its pilot program at the Nebraska Service Center for accepting credit card payments using From G-1450, for certain applicants applying for premium processing. The pilot program is currently limited to the NSC, but at the end of the pilot, USCIS says it will evaluate the results and determine next steps for expanding this payment option for other forms or other service centers.