Town Hall Synopsis: Immigration 2.9.2021
Immigration Update- Biden’s First 100 Days
Overall, we anticipate a change in tone regarding immigration in this new administration. We may see more immigration-friendly language and policies, allowing you, as business owners and Human Resources departments, expanded availability to hire more talent that may have not been available before, providing opportunities to hire labor that you need.
Immigration will be a priority, but many changes will take time. Some rules can be stuck in court proceedings for months, and some reversals will require formal rule-making procedures.
There will be more strategic use of executive orders, proclamations, and agency memorandums.
Newly introduced Executive Order #13993 directs agencies to delay effective dates of regulations and issue revised guidance as necessary. It has been published, but will likely not be passed in its entirety/current state. It has not gone into effect yet.
We will find that many immigration issues will be in flux during this transitionary time.
An executive order promoting COVID-19 safety during international travel has been passed; Americans coming into the US after traveling abroad must show a negative COVID test within 3 days of traveling, or proof of recovery.
There has also been a proclamation that has revoked the travel ban for many of the countries previously banned: Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen , Myanmar, Sudan, and Tanzania.
Other updates:
-DHS has issued a 100 days pause on pending deportations until further, thorough review of cases
-End of construction of Southern border wall and redirecting of funds
-Preservation of DACA program
-DHS not implementing change to USCIS fee.
-US Citizen Act of 2021 has been sent to Congress; not passed yet.
Amy McAndrew Update
There have been new updates during Biden’s first week of office that include:
-12 weeks of partial paid leave for all workers, similar to FMLA
-$15 minimum wage proposition is currently on hold
-Executive Orders affirming LGBTQ+ rights have been cemented
-Now is the time to update your rights and language about the LGBTQ community in your policies
-If you have dress code policies, they should also be reviewed and updated
If your company has a testing program protocol, there are certain things that you should keep in mind:
-In your policy, explain why the policy exists and why it benefits the company and employees.
-Must be multi-lingual if you have multi-lingual employees.
-Use simple, non-technical terms in explanation
-Highlight the especially important points
-Train your management staff to encourage and answer questions, and handle objections about the policy.
