With our mission to uncomplicate the complicated, we’ve always thought of our work in immigration as people-first. Our goal is for these emails to make sense of the changes happening across the world. Please share these updates with your colleagues who may find this information helpful, too.
International Updates
France | The government has declared Paris and areas around Marseille as a red zone following high rates of coronavirus infection.
Case Update: 2,515 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/8/14 3:00 PM CEST
India | The consular sections at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and the Consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata will begin processing student and academic exchange visitor visa applications on a limited basis on August 17. Emergency student and exchange visitor appointment requests received before August 12 will be prioritized, followed by public appointments. Prospective students and exchange visitors should schedule an appointment no more than three weeks before their class start date.
Applicants for H-1B, H-2B, H4, L, and certain J categories covered by Presidential Proclamation 10052 should request an appointment only if you have reason to believe you may qualify for one of the exceptions listed here.
Case Update: 64,553 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/8/14 3:00 PM CEST
New Zealand | Following new cases of the coronavirus, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern extended the lockdown of Auckland for at least 12 days.
Case Update: 13 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/8/14 3:00 PM CEST
The United Kingdom | Late Thursday, the government announced a new 14-day quarantine order for travelers arriving from Aruba, France, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, and Turks & Caicos that will begin on Saturday at 3:00 GMT.
Case Update: 1,009 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/8/14 3:00 PM CEST
On July 31, the U.S. Department of Labor announced it had reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to allow both agencies to share immigrant petition and data records with each other freely. This latest agreement adds to the growing concerns about privacy erosion. In last week’s Immigration Nerds podcast, we look at examples of administrative actions from the past year to expand the practice of collecting private information.
We will continue to send updates daily or as more COVID-19-related news is available. If you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or in past updates or want to hear more about a different topic, just reply to let us know. If you have specific questions, please contact your employer or EIG attorney.