Immigration COVID-19 Update - April 2, 2020
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Immigration COVID-19 Update
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Your Immigration Status Amidst COVID-19
It only took an unprecedented global pandemic to highlight and emphasize the fractures in our broken and outdated immigration system. In a world economy that thrives on global mobility, many wonder and rightfully worry if the various government agencies will put measures in place to soften the blow that typically comes with visa violations, status violations, failure to adhere to compliance requirements – all of which are reasonably expected during these bizarre times.
See blog post "Your Immigration Status Amidst COVID-19"
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Government Office Closures & Suspension of Certain Services
As of March 18th,
USCIS announced
that all government offices are temporarily closed to the public, including all in-person services, such as biometrics appointments. As of today, that closure order stands until May 3rd, with plans to reopen by May 4, 2020.
Read more
.
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Visa for Medical Professionals
On March 26, the Department of State
(
DOS) announced
that “medical professionals with an approved U.S. non-immigrant or immigrant visa petition (I-129 or I-140 with a current priority date, or similar) or a certificate of eligibility in an approved exchange visitor program (DS-2019), particularly those working to treat or mitigate the effects of COVID-19, (should) review the website of their nearest embassy or consulate for procedures to request a visa appointment.”
Also, DOS encourages foreign or international medical graduates (FMGs or IMGs) in the United States to “consult with their program sponsor, ECFMG, to extend their programs in the United States.”
J-1 Physicians.
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International Students
Students here on F-1 or J-1 trainee visas face particular uncertainty. Therefore, the
Student & Exchange Visitor Program
(SEVP) and the Department of State (DOS) announced that as of March 9th they would be “flexible” with these students as their universities switch to online curricula and shut down physical campuses, however, there is also real fear that some universities will not survive and will ultimately close down completely.
Read more
.
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What Should You Do?
- Check your passport and confirm your I-94 validity period taking careful note of your expiration date.
- If you have had your business, schooling, work, or vacation impacted by the shelter-in-place orders, border closings, or travel bans, contact our office for a consultation.
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Shareholder & Head of the Immigration Practice Group
214-672-2162
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Angela Lopez is Section Head of the Cowles and Thompson Immigration Practice Group, former Chair of the Dallas Bar Association Immigration Section. She has developed a large national practice representing numerous foreign nationals and their employers in obtaining temporary employment nonimmigrant visas and permanent residence. She has represented numerous individuals and organizations in the medical field.
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Shareholder
214.672.2166
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Michelle Alonzo focuses on employment-based immigration matters. Her experience includes handling H-1B professional worker visas, O-1 extraordinary ability visas, E-1/E-2 treaty investor, L-1 transfer visas, TN temporary work visas for citizens of Canada & Mexico, E-3 professional worker visas for Australian nationals, permanent residence applications based upon labor certification, and extraordinary ability aliens, and multinational managers and executives.
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Dallas Office
Bank of America Plaza
901 Main Street, Suite 3900
Dallas, Texas 75202
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Plano Office
Preston Park Financial Center
4965 Preston Park Boulevard, Suite 320
Plano, Texas 75093
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P: 214-672-2575 | F: 214-672-3652
E: immigration@cowlesthompson.com
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