Office of International Education and Development

US Immigration Updates

US Immigration Updates

What is this database?

This resource is a searchable database of US immigration updates impacting members of the Appalachian community. This is a general information summary database of select immigration updates and is not intended to be comprehensive.

This table is updated weekly on Mondays.

Please contact issso@appstate.edu if you would like to suggest an update or if you have questions or concerns regarding your specific situation.

Title	Topic	Population impacted	Effective start date of guidance	End date of guidance
Work Permits and Relief from Removal for DACA Students DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) students may request temporary work permits and relief from removal	Other	DACA	January 20, 2021	Ongoing
F-1 Students Seeking Optional Practical Training Can Now File Form I-765 Online F-1 students can now apply for OPT online. Online filing allows applicants to submit forms electronically, check the status of their case anytime from anywhere, and receive notices from USCIS online instead of waiting for them in the mail. Certain individuals applying for an EAD card for other applications may also file the I-765 online Applicants can still submit paper applications to USCIS	Employment	F-1 student Permanent resident	April 12, 2021	Ongoing
Electronic I-20s now Acceptable Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)now allows international student advisors to send (email) and sign I-20s electronically. Students must still print their I-20 and use a hard copy for travel.	Other	F-1 student Dependent	November 1, 2021	Ongoing
COVID-19 Travel Restrictions and Exceptions All non-US citizens traveling to the US must show proof of COVID-19 vaccine. The following vaccines are accepted: Moderna, J&J and Pfizer (FDA and WHO approved) and Oxford-AstraZeneca/Covishield, Sinopharm and Sinovac.	Travel Immigration/Visa status	F-1 student J-1 student J-1 scholar H-1B	January 2, 2022	Ongoing
DACA and International Students Eligible for COVID-19 Financial Relief The Biden administration reversed a previous policy that barred F-1 international students, undocumented college students, and other immigrants from receiving federal education relief grants to pay for expenses during the coronavirus pandemic; those individuals are now eligible for receiving COVID-19 relief grants. The funds can be used for housing, food, and childcare.	Other	F-1 student J-1 student DACA	May 12, 2021	Ongoing
Removal of requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Recovery from COVID-19 for All Passengers Arriving in the United States within 1 day of arrival On June 12, the CDC lifted the previous requirement all US travelers to get tested no more than 1 day before traveling into the United States (US) and showing a negative result to the the airline before boarding the flight. There is no current COVID-19 test requirement for international travelers to the US. https://about.bgov.com/client-exclusive/	Travel	F-1 student J-1 student J-1 scholar H-1B Permanent resident Dependent DACA	June 12, 2022	Ongoing
Presidential Proclamation Ending Discriminatory Bans on Entry to the US ("Muslim Bans") Effective immediately, this Executive Order revokes the previous bans on entry to the United States often referred to as the "Muslim Bans." These travel bans are no longer in effect.	Travel	F-1 student J-1 student J-1 scholar H-1B Permanent resident Dependent	January 20, 2021	Ongoing
Processing Posts for Ukrainian Visa Applicants Nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applications may be processed wherever a Ukrainian applicant is physically located and can schedule an appointment.	Travel	F-1 student J-1 student J-1 scholar H-1B Permanent resident	March 1, 2022	Ongoing
New H-1B Prevailing Wage Rule Effecting Researchers and Faculty Proposed rule to increase minimum wage levels by 39% - 49%; this would raise the mimimum wage universities are required to pay H-1B employees Applies to new H-1Bs and H-1B extension filed after effective date Proposed rule is not in effect and is currently frozen for review until November 14, 2021	Employment Other	H-1B	May 14, 2021	Ongoing
USCIS Announces Online Filing for DACA Renewal Forms U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today that individuals who previously received deferred action under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) may now file Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, online.	Other	DACA	April 12, 2022	Ongoing

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