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Category: Immigration

Biden To Take Executive Actions Today

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Shortly after being sworn today, President Biden is expected to take a set of executive actions that seeks to jump start the process of addressing his priority areas.

Among the steps Biden is expected to take are asking the Department of Education to consider extending the moratorium on student loan repayments through September 30, issuing a presidential memo asking the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice to “preserve and fortify protections for Dreamers,” and ending the “Muslim ban”.

Read more about the executive actions here.

Descriptions of the 17 actions that he is expected take are available here.

 

Confirmation Hearings Start Today

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With the swearing-in of the new Biden Administration scheduled for tomorrow, the first set of confirmation hearings for several key posts within the Administration are set to start today.  These include:

  • Lloyd Austin– Secretary of Defense
  • Alejandro Mayorkas– Secretary of Homeland Security
  • Antony Blinken– Secretary of State
  • Avril Haines– Director of National Intelligence
  • Janet Yellen– Secretary of Treasury

Read more about the nominees and the confirmation process here, here, and here.

CDC Updates COVID-19 Entry Requirements for the United States

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The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued an order requiring all air passengers arriving into the US to present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 3 days of departure, or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 within the last three months. The test results or documentation must be presented to airline staff upon departure from the foreign country.

Those passengers utilizing documentation of recovery must show the positive test result and a letter from a healthcare provider indicating they are cleared to travel.

The order applies to all air passengers regardless of citizenship status or whether they have been vaccinated. The new rules go into effect on January 26th, 2021.

Read the CDC’s FAQ here. Members of the UW community with specific questions should contact International Student Services or the Office of Academic Personnel, depending on their affiliation.

Update 01/19/21: As a result of this CDC order, President Trump has lifted travel restrictions for the Schengen Area, UK and Ireland, and Brazil in a proclamation dated January 18, 2021. Travel restrictions remain in place for China and Iran.

SEVP Increases Oversight of OPT

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The Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP) has announced the creation of a new unit dedicated to oversight of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. The unit will have a full-time mandate to review compliance matters involving wage, hours, and compensation within OPT, the OPT extension, and Curricular Practical Training (CPT). The unit will publish reports annually, with the first report scheduled on 07/31/21, and interface with Homeland Security Investigations to recommend investigations of employers and students.

Read more.

Chad Wolf Resigns

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Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf has resigned. According to a department email, he cited several court cases which found he served as Acting Secretary unlawfully, having deviated from the established line of succession. He has been in his position since November 2019.

Pete Maynor, current FEMA Administrator, will serve as DHS Acting Secretary until President Trump’s term expires in 9 days.

Read more.