Global Directions: Mobility Trends In Mid November 2018

United States

USCIS Announces Next Phase of Its Implementation of the Notices to Appear Memorandum

On November 8, 2018, US Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS") announced that it is continuing its implementation of its new policy memorandum on Notices to Appear ("NTA") and that, commencing November 19, 2018, USCIS may begin issuing NTAs based on the denial of the following, in cases where the applicant's period of authorized stay has expired:

I-914/I-914A, Applications for T Nonimmigrant Status I-918/I-918A, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status; I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant (Violence Against Women Act self-petitions and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status petitions) I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petitions when the beneficiary is present in the United States I-929, Petition for Qualifying Family Member of a U-1 Nonimmigrant I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (with the underlying form types listed above) Following a denial, USCIS will take action to confirm whether the applicant is still in the United States by checking travel records to validate departure from the United States. USCIS will prioritize the issuance of NTAs to individuals with criminal records, fraud records, or posing national security concerns.

USCIS has also confirmed that, at this time, it would not implement the policy for employment-based petitions.

Asia

Japan

Japanese Government Seeks to Amend Immigration Law to Allow More Foreign Workers

In an effort to ease the country's labor shortage, the Japanese government is debating a bill that would allow between 260,000 and 340,000 foreign workers to work in Japan over the next five years. The amendment will focus on key industries impacted by the labor shortage and may result in a new visa status for foreigners with specified skills.

The Japanese government is also amending the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, changes which are expected to be approved by the parliament in December 2018.

Additional details should be released in the coming months.

Singapore

Singapore Using New Biometric System to Screen Travelers

Beginning in April 2019, the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority ("ICA") in Singapore will begin installing a new biometric screening system at immigration checkpoints. The new system will use fingerprints and facial, and iris recognition for identification and will be made available to law enforcement in the event of a security...

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