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
DHS Re-Designates Syria for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months Department of Homeland Security re-designates Syria for Temporary Protected Status from March 9, 2021 to September 9, 2022 Citizens of Syria who demonstrate conintuous residence in the US as of March 30, 2021 are eligible for TPS under Syria's designation Individuals who are granted TPS 1) are protected from forced removal from the US (deportation), 2) can obtain special authorization to work in the US, and 3) may be granted authorization to leave and re-enter the US	Employment Other	F-1 student J-1 student J-1 scholar H-1B Permanent resident Dependent DACA	June 14, 2021	June 14, 2021
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Renewal Update A federal court found DACA unlawful. The government cannot grant new DACA applications. But existing DACA recipients are allowed to retain their grant of DACA and apply for renewal All individuals whose DACA requests were granted prior to this decision will continue to have and be eligible to renew DACA Frequently Asked Questions available, as well as Reminders to DACA Recipients and Employers in Spanish and English	Immigration/Visa status Employment Other	DACA	July 16, 2021	Ongoing
I-9 Updates for Refugees and Asylees USCIS updated language to include reminders for employers that asylees and refugees may present acceptable documents in their possession	Employment	F-1 student J-1 student J-1 scholar H-1B Dependent DACA	July 19, 2021	Ongoing
Change of Status to F-1 Students No Longer Need to Submit "Bridge the Gap" Applications USCIS announced new policy guidance that eliminates the need for individuals who have applied for a change of status (for example, for B, H-4, J, or L) to F-1 student to apply to change or extend their nonimmigrant status while their initial F-1 change of status (COS) application is pending. Under the previous policy, applicants needed to maintain status up to 30 days before the program start date listed on their Form I-20, Certificate for Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, which required them to file extensions, or an initial COS and subsequent extensions ensuring that they would not have a “gap” in status. Now students can file a change of status and may remain in the US while their application is pending, without needing to continue to apply to extend their previous status.	Other	F-1 student J-1 student J-1 scholar Dependent DACA	July 20, 2021	Ongoing
COVID-19 Vaccine Required for Immigrant Medical Exam Based on CDC recommendations, a COVID-19 vaccine is now a required part of the immigrant medical exam for those who are eligible to receive a vaccine. Some exceptions apply.	Other	H-1B Permanent resident Dependent	August 25, 2021	Ongoing
DHS Designates Yemen for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months Department of Homeland Security designates Yemen for Temporary Protected status from September 4, 2021 to March 21, 2023 Citizens of Yemen who demonstrate conintuous residence in the US as of September 4, 2021 are eligible for TPS under Yemen's designation. Individuals who are granted TPS 1) are protected from forced removal from the US (deportation), 2) can obtain special authorization to work in the US, and 3) may be granted authorization to leave and re-enter the US	Employment Other	F-1 student J-1 student J-1 scholar H-1B Permanent resident Dependent DACA	September 4, 2021	March 3, 2023
F-1 Students from Yemen eligible to apply for Severe Economic Hardship (special work authorization + reduced course load) F-1 students whose country of citizenship is Yemen are eligible to apply for authorization to work off-campus, work more than 20 hours/week, and take less than the full-time required course load Undergarduate student could enroll in 6 credits/ semester instead of the required 12 credits/semester; graduate students could enroll in 3 credits/semester instead of the required 9 credits/semester	Employment Other	F-1 student	September 4, 2021	March 3, 2023
DHS extends Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan The Department of Homeland Security published a Federal Register notice (FRN) announcing that it is automatically extending the validity of TPS-related documentation for beneficiaries under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan through Dec. 31, 2022. On March 1,2022 - Sudan was redesignated until September 1, 2023. Individuals who are granted TPS 1) are protected from forced removal from the US (deportation), 2) can obtain special authorization to work in the US, and 3) may be granted authorization to leave and re-enter the US.	Travel Employment Other	F-1 student J-1 student J-1 scholar H-1B Permanent resident Dependent DACA	September 13, 2021	December 31, 2022
Consular Offices May Waive In-Person Visa Interview Requirement for certain F, J, M Applicants Conusular offices may waive the visa interview requirement for F, M and academic J visa applicants for the remainder of 2021. Some restrictions apply; see full announcement for details and contact your local embassy for eligibility.	Travel	F-1 student J-1 student J-1 scholar	September 15, 2021	December 31, 2021
DHS Designates Somalia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months Department of Homeland Security designates Somalia for Temporary Protected status from September 18, 2021 to March 17, 2023 Citizens of Somalia who demonstrate conintuous residence in the US as of September 18, 2021 are eligible for TPS under Somalia's designation. Individuals who are granted TPS 1) are protected from forced removal from the US (deportation), 2) can obtain special authorization to work in the US, and 3) may be granted authorization to leave and re-enter the US	Employment Other	F-1 student J-1 student J-1 scholar H-1B Permanent resident Dependent DACA	September 18, 2021	March 17, 2023