For U.S. employers, the termination means that they will no longer be able to continue employing individuals who previously provided CHNV parole documents to gain lawful employment in the United States. It is always best practice for employers to audit their I-9s periodically. If an employer has never or seldom performed internal I-9 audits, now is the time to do so.
To view the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.
The Department of State unexpectedly updated the requirements for nonimmigrant visa interview waiver eligibility, effective February 18. The interview waiver program (also referred to as Dropbox) allows qualified visa applicants to renew their visas without an in-person interview, offering a more streamlined and efficient process. These changes, which greatly limit the number of individuals eligible for visa waivers, come at the helm of President Trump’s Executive Order directing federal agencies to recommend ways to enhance screening and vetting of all visa applicants seeking admission to the United States.
While an ETA refusal may seem like a significant setback, it does not necessarily prevent a person from travelling to the UK. Individuals who face an ETA refusal should not assume they are barred from visiting the UK. Rather, they may simply need to navigate a more detailed application process to be granted permission to travel. For those who have had an ETA refused, acting promptly and ensuring that a Visitor visa application is well-prepared will be critical to achieving a successful outcome.
The right to a minimum wage sufficient to meet the basic needs of workers is enshrined in the Mexican Constitution. Minimum wages in the country are set on a daily basis, ensuring workers receive a set amount for each day worked. On January 1, 2025, the Mexican minimum wage, which is set by the National Minimum Wage Commission (Comisión Nacional de los Salarios Mínimos or CONASAMI), received a considerable 12 percent increase nationwide.
With this increase, the nationwide minimum wage is now MXN $278.80 per day (or approximately USD $13.76) and the minimum wage for the Free Zone of the Northern Border (Zona Libre de la Frontera Norte or ZLFN), the area along the northern border of Mexico, which encompasses the states of Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León and Tamaulipas, is now MXN $419.88 per day (or approximately USD $20.72). The 12 percent increase will also apply to workers in 61 professions and trades who are entitled to special professional minimum wage. Specific professions impacted include construction workers, cashiers, agricultural laborers, domestic workers, and masons and bulldozer operators.
Continue reading “Mexico’s 12 Percent Wage Hike Comes Into Effect January 1, 2025”
Executive Order “Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats” directs federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of State, to re-establish enhanced vetting and screening processes for foreign nationals seeking a visa or immigration benefit of any kind. Agencies are to vet and screen visa applicants to the maximum degree possible, particularly foreign nationals applying and arriving from nations with identified security risks. It is expected that additional vetting and screening requirements will only add to increased wait times for visa clearances at U.S. embassies and consulates. The order further directs the administration to begin the process of restoring a potential travel ban within 60 days.
To view the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.
All individuals currently holding a UK Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) are invited to create a UK Visas and Immigration eVisa account, as BRPs will cease to be an accepted method of proving UK immigration status from March 31, 2025. We provide instructions for setting up and tips for managing your eVisa account.
To view the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.