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Category: Immigration

State Department Updates Visa FAQs

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The US Department of State has published updated FAQs regarding visa processing, which can be found here. Visa processing will resume as local conditions at embassies and consulates allow.

Travel restrictions remain in place for foreigners who have been present in China, Iran, Brazil, UK, Ireland, South Africa, and the 26 countries in the Schengen area within 14 days preceding arrival into the US.

Members of the UW community with specific questions about their status should contact International Scholar Operations or International Student Services.

House Votes on Significant Immigration Bills

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This week the House is set to vote on, and likely pass, two significant pieces of legislation as part of the Administration’s immigration overhaul push.

The Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021 would provide a path to legal status for certain undocumented agricultural workers.

The American Dream and Promise Act would offer a path to citizenship for DACA recipients via green card who arrived in the US before their 18th birthday, before 01/01/21. This is provided the applicant meets specific education, employment, or service requirements. It would also offer a path to citizenship for individuals in the US from nations under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED).

The American Dream and Promise Act is not to be confused with the bipartisan DREAM Act reintroduced in the Senate which would offer some expanded protections for DACA recipients.

While the bills are likely to pass in the House, and have support from President Biden, the Senate would need to overcome the 60-vote filibuster threshold for the legislation to become law.

UW Publishes 2021 Federal Agenda

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The University of Washington has published our 2021 Federal Agenda outlining our top priorities for the coming year. Our agenda reflects a commitment to service, excellence, and innovation, taking into account the unique challenges of the past year.

We are proud of our longstanding partnership with the federal government and look forward to further collaboration in 2021.

Democrats Introduce Immigration Reform Bill

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Democrats have introduced an immigration bill – The US Citizenship Act- which could provide a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented people. The bill is being championed by Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) and Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ). President Biden has already indicated support. Among other things, the bill will:

  • Provide an 8-year pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who arrived in the US by January 1st, 2021 and pass a background check. The first 5 years would be provisional, after which the non-citizen could apply for a green card, and then 3 years later could apply for citizenship.
  • There would be an expedited pathway for farmworkers and persons holding DACA status. No specific timeline was announced.
  • Replace “alien” with “non-citizen” in law.
  • Increase caps on family and employment based green cards. Eliminate the caps for STEM doctoral students.
  • Establish dual-intent for international students with regards to immigration.
  • Prevent states from charging non-resident tuition to refugees, asylum seekers, and other special categories of non-citizens.
  • H-4 visa reform including adding work authorization for spouses and children.
  • Expand transnational anti-drug task forces in Central America and improve technology at the southern border.

The bill is expected to be introduced in the House this week, and in the Senate next week, where it would need 10 Republican Senators to vote in favor. Bill text is available here (Senate) and here (House).

The bill contains numerous, wide-ranging provisions, and our office is still working through the text.

 

Mayorkas, Buttigieg Confirmed

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As expected, Alejandro Mayorkas and Pete Buttigieg were confirmed earlier this afternoon as Secretary of Homeland Security and Transportation, respectively. Mayorkas was approved 56-43 and the vote on Buttigieg’s nomination was 86-13.