The Department of Homeland Security is designating Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, effective 3/9/21 through 9/9/22.
This new designation enables Venezuelan nationals (and individuals without nationality who last resided in Venezuela) currently residing in the United States to file initial applications for TPS, so long as they meet eligibility requirements.
To be eligible for the Temporary Protected Status, individuals must
be able to demonstrate continuous [...]
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has been experiencing delays in issuing receipts notices for Form I?765 for optional practical training (OPT) for F?1 students, due to COVID?19 restrictions, a dramatic increase in filings, postal service volume and delays, and other external factors.
On February 26, USCIS announced flexibilities for certain foreign students affected by delayed receipt notices for Form I?765, Application for Employment Authorization. These [...]
On March 3, 2021, the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) FAQs were updated to reflect changes made by the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act enacted on December 27, 2020. The latest version of the PPP FAQs can be located here: Paycheck-Protection-Program-Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf (treasury.gov)
An Interim Final Rule on Revisions to Loan Amount Calculation and Eligibility was posted by the Small Business Administration [...]
The Deadline for Most New York Property Owners to Contest Their Assessment is May 25, 2021 By Nicholas J. Scarantino, Esq.
Grievance Day falls on the 4th Tuesday in May every year, and in most New York Counties, that has not changed for 2021. Once again this year, we expect many changes to the real property tax grievance process as a result of COVID-19 policies and procedures. If municipal offices continue to offer limited public access this May, it is likely that most assessors will not allow [...]
Shuyuan Tian, Esq.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to revert to administering the 2008 civics test to naturalization applicants, beginning March 1, 2021.
Pursuant to the new policy, anyone who filed for naturalization before December 1, 2020, or on or after March 1, 2021, will take the 2008 civics test. Applicants who filed the application on or after December 1, 2020 and before March 1, 2021, may have the [...]