Immigration Resource Center
Welcome to Shipman’s Immigration Resource Center, your source for U.S. immigration updates and developments. We are anticipating many ongoing immigration-related changes with the new presidential administration, and we have launched this resource center to keep you abreast of legal developments, changing requirements and policies, and other topics of interest in the world of U.S. immigration. We invite you to subscribe to receive timely updates and notices about seminars, on-demand webinars and podcasts related to immigration.
Immigration Enforcement for Health Care Facilities
January 22, 2025 - Authored by Joan W. Feldman, Marc C. Lombardi and Nina Pelc-Faszcza
The Trump Administration’s flurry of executive orders directing the implementation of immigration policy objectives to carry out the “largest domestic deportation operation in American history” has many hospitals and other health care providers deeply concerned and anxious about visits from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and uncertain about what to do if they arrive. Adding to the concern, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently lifted Biden Administration restrictions on DHS enforcement activity in certain designated “sensitive areas”, including hospitals and medical offices, churches, and schools. Despite the fact that DHS has stated it is prioritizing the identification and removal of immigrants without legal status who have committed crimes, hospitals and other health care facilities can best protect their interests and the interests of their patients by being prepared for encounters.
CSDE Issues Guidance Regarding ICE Enforcement Actions at Schools
January 22, 2025 - Authored by Tom Owen
Yesterday (January 28, 2025), the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) released a guidance document regarding ICE enforcement actions at schools. In the wake of the Department of Homeland Security’s recission of its longstanding “protected areas” policy, public school districts across Connecticut have been requesting guidance from the state regarding their compliance obligations. The CSDE’s guidance aims to answer some of the most frequently asked questions from districts.
COVID Vaccine No Longer Required for Adjustment of Status
January 23, 2025 - Authored by Nina Pelc-Faszcza
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it is waiving the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for adjustment of status green card applicants effective January 22, 2025. The COVID-19 vaccine has been a required immunization for permanent U.S. immigration since October 1, 2021 (along with other required immunizations such as for measles, mumps, and rubella), with certain waivers available including contraindication due to a medical condition. Starting January 22, 2025, USCIS will not issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID), nor will it deny any adjustment of status application, based on an applicant’s failure to present documentation that they received the COVID-19 vaccination. It remains to be seen whether the same requirement will be waived for applicants applying for an immigrant visa from a U.S. Consulate or Embassy abroad, though the expectation is that it will; for now, COVID-19 is still on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) vaccination list.
What Schools Should Know About ICE Enforcement Actions
January 22, 2025 - Authored by Thomas B. Mooney, Tom Owen and Nina Pelc-Faszcza
With the new presidential administration’s hard stance on immigration, many school officials are anxious about visits from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and uncertain about what to do should such a visit occur. While enforcement action by ICE has always been possible and does happen on occasion, the chances of such an event occurring at a school have historically been low. Moreover, for many years schools have enjoyed some protection in accordance with the “protected areas” policy issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This policy provided that DHS generally should not take an enforcement action in or near a location that would restrain access to essential services or engagement in essential activities, such as a school, health care facility, or social services establishment. However, DHS rescinded the protected areas policy on Inauguration Day (January 20, 2025), leaving these institutions at greater risk of DHS enforcement action. While the risk of ICE activity at schools may still be relatively low, it is best to be prepared because such activity is more likely now than it has been in the past. Accordingly, we offer the following information and guidance to assist school officials in these challenging times.
What Organizations Should Know About ICE Enforcement Actions
January 21, 2025 - Authored by Nina Pelc-Faszcza
Late Breaking News - Jan. 22, 2025: Shortly after we sent this alert out, it was announced that acting U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman has issued a directive that rescinds the Biden Administration’s guidelines for DHS enforcement actions in or near “protected” or “sensitive” areas.
With the new presidential administration’s hard stance on immigration, many organizations are feeling anxious about visits from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and uncertain about what to do should such a visit occur. While enforcement action by ICE has always been possible and does happen on occasion, the chances of such an event occurring at an ordinary place of business have historically been low. Moreover, for many years certain employers and other establishments have enjoyed some protection from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) “protected areas” policy, which provides that DHS generally should not take an enforcement action in or near a location that would restrain access to essential services or engagement in essential activities, such as a school, health care facility, or social services establishment. The incoming administration has all but promised to rescind the protected areas policy, leaving perhaps the most vulnerable of institutions at greater risk of DHS enforcement action. While the risk of ICE activity at ordinary places of business may still be relatively low even with recision of the protected areas policy or any other relevant DHS policies with respect to immigration enforcement, it is nevertheless best to be prepared. Arguably, such activity is more likely now than it has been in the past.
Potential Immigration Impacts for U.S. Employers Under a Second Trump Presidency
January 8, 2025 - Authored by Nina Pelc-Faszcza
As we head into another Trump presidency later this month, many U.S. employers are wondering how the new administration’s strong stance on immigration might impact their organization, including its ability to hire and retain foreign workers. While we don’t know exactly what changes will occur, this article details a few ways in which the incoming administration’s immigration policies could tangibly impact U.S. employers. This list is by no means exhaustive and none of these changes are guaranteed; rather, it is intended to provide a high-level overview of important points of consideration for employers as we move into the new presidential administration.
