Category: Immigration

COVID-19 Vaccination Planning for Employers: Questions to Consider for Policy and Practice

As COVID-19 vaccines become more widely accessible, and certain localities relax COVID-19 restrictions, employers hoping to ramp up on-site operations or reduce absenteeism face a new challenge: navigating employee vaccination. Employers are evaluating whether to mandate, strongly suggest or simply remain neutral regarding COVID-19 vaccinations and on-site work.

The considerations surrounding workplace vaccination programs are complex. Business justifications and accommodation issues, potential public relations and employee relations pitfalls, the impact of vaccination on workforce safety procedures, litigation risks on multiple fronts — these are just the beginning. To help piece together this business and regulatory puzzle, we have compiled a list of issues organizations should consider as they set policy and communication plans regarding on-site work and COVID-19 vaccines. We have also identified issues to consider with regard to the practical application of any such policy and the development of related communications to employees or others.

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Travel Bans and Quarantine Hotels: Traveling to the U.K. During COVID-19

Those contemplating travel to the U.K. should be cognizant of new border policies and restrictions implemented earlier this month. In this episode, Faegre Drinker’s Hodon Anastasi answers questions regarding the U.K. government’s latest actions concerning COVID-19, including:

  • Under what circumstances will travellers be expected to stay in government-controlled quarantine hotels? How long will they be expected to quarantine? Who is exempt from this policy?
  • What documents should travellers be expected to produce upon arrival to the U.K.?
  • What are the penalties for breaching new border policies?
  • Do these rules apply for visa holders? Under the present circumstances, is it worth applying for a U.K. visa?

Continue reading “Travel Bans and Quarantine Hotels: Traveling to the U.K. During COVID-19”

H-1B Cap Update: Electronic Registration Starts on March 9, 2021; Cap Selection Wage Regulation Delayed until December 31, 2021

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced updates to this year’s H-1B cap selection process. The government’s H-1B electronic registration process will open in one month, but there will be no changes to the selection process itself as implementation of the “H-1B Cap Selection Process Final Rule” is delayed until December 31, 2021. Stakeholders will want to pay close attention to the newly released registration dates along with an opportunity to learn more about the process directly from the Faegre Drinker team.

For the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.

U.S. Immigration Updates: H-1B Cap, Prevailing Wage Rule and International Travel Updates

Immigration updates from the end of the Trump administration include USCIS’s final rule modifying the H-1B cap selection process, DOL’s final rule on computation of prevailing wage levels, and executive orders extending immigration restrictions and terminating some travel restrictions — all of which may be changed by litigation or the Biden administration. It is also time to start planning for the FY2022 H-1B cap season.

For the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.

COVID-19: Negative Test Result Must Be Shown by All Travelers to England

The British government continues to ramp up travel precautions following the identification of a new, highly transmissible coronavirus strain. Starting next week, all international travelers arriving in England, including U.K. nationals, will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test taken up to 72 hours before travel.

For the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.

CDC: All Air Passengers Traveling From the U.K. to the U.S. Must Have Proof of a Negative COVID-19 Test

In a bid to help contain the new coronavirus strain found in the U.K., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an order requiring proof of a pre-departure, negative COVID-19 test result for all airline passengers — including U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents — traveling from the U.K. to the U.S. The order officially went into effect on December 27, 2020.

For the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.