Newsletter Week of Feb 23, 2023

2022 Report of the Visa Office Shows a Dramatic Increase in Visa Issuance in 2022 

In the Report of the Visa Office 2022, it is noted that immigrant visas are now being issued in higher numbers than before the pandemic, but non-immigrant visas have not yet reached pre-pandemic levels. The Department of State has made significant progress in reaching pre-pandemic levels but is still working through a large COVID-19 related backlog. 

State Department Plans Pilot for Domestic Visa Renewal 

The US Department of State has announced that it will launch a pilot program later in the year to offer visa renewal options in the United States for H-1B specialty occupation workers and other temporary visa holders who are currently required to travel abroad. The option to renew visas in the United States will allow workers to remain in the United States and ease the workload of consular offices. This program has currently been announced only for H-1B visas, but there is potential that it will be expanded to other visa holders as well. 

Supreme Court Cancels Arguments in Title 42 Immigration Case 

The Supreme Court canceled arguments originally scheduled for March 1, 2023, regarding Title 42 immigration policies. Title 42 was a pandemic-era immigration measure. Since the Biden administration has announced that they are ending the COVID-19 national health emergency in May. The case was likely removed from the docket because the ending of a national health emergency will render Title 42 moot.