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On 02/18/2021, the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 (Act) was introduced as companion bills in the Senate by Senator Robert Menendez and in the House by Representative Linda Sanchez. This article focuses only on provisions affecting the business community, both salutary and less favorable. It is unlikely to be passed in its entirety but, if broken down into palatable sections to make it through the House and Senate, there is bipartisan support for some of the Act’s proposed business immigration reform.
Proposed Provisions Favorable for Business
The Act would modestly increase the cap on employment-based green card visas available per year from 140,000 to 170,000. However, most of these would go to unskilled workers which are generally not Chinese or Indian beneficiaries where the worst backlogs occur.
Indian students in US welcome easing of OPT rules
Indian students in US welcome easing of OPT rules
Ishani Duttagupta / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Apr 20, 2021, 20:34 IST
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The John Hopkins University. Photo: Instagram/@johnshopkinsu
OPT is a popular route for Indian students to work in the US after the completion of their studies.
According to the Open Doors survey in November 2020, which tracks international student numbers, there were 81,173 Indian students enrolled for the OPT programme.
International students on F-1 visas at US universities are eligible for OPT, which allows temporary employment directly related to their major areas of study.
Students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorisation before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion).
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Immigration Weekly Round-Up: Applications for Employment Authorization Now Online for Students; Biden Reaches Deal To Stem Immigration at Border; Central American Countries Agree to Anti-Corruption Plan Friday, April 16, 2021
F-1 Students Seeking Employment Authorization Can File Online
On April 12, 2021, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced that F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training – more commonly known as “OPT” – will be able to file their Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, online through their account with USCIS. Tracy Renaud, Senior Official Performing the Duties of USCIS Director, stated “USCIS remains committed to maximizing our online filing capabilities,” noting that online submission makes processing faster and easier for both the applicant and USCIS and that eleven USCIS forms are now available for electronic filing.
International students hopeful for stability with Biden election metrowestdailynews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from metrowestdailynews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
International students that were adversely affected by the pandemic and some decisions made by the Trump administration have found new hope of completing their education in the U.S. with President Joe Biden and his immigration-friendly policies.
After former President Donald Trump’s arrival at the White House, policies and laws he supported affecting international students were a constant threat.
A March 2020 study by the National Association of Foreign Student Advisors, quoted earlier this year in the Daily Universe, reported that “university and industry leaders acknowledge that anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies contribute to a chilling effect on international study in the United States” and that “international students and scholars feel less safe and less welcome in the United States than the previous year surveyed.”