On Jan. 27, 2022, CLINIC hosted a webinar with officials from the U.S. consulate in Ciudad Juarez (CDJ). During the session the officials responded to several questions on current operations at the consulate and general tips on visa processing. This article provides a summary of the question and answer session.

On Dec. 8, 2020, CLINIC hosted a webinar with speakers from the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez (CDJ) and the National Visa Center (NVC.) Responding to questions from CLINIC attorneys Charles Wheeler and Kristina Karpinski, the speakers addressed several key issues relating to the current status of consular processing and what to expect in the months ahead. This article summarizes the question and answer session.

Under new Department of Homeland Security and Department of State regulations, having health insurance is a positive factor in determining whether an adjustment of status or immigrant visa applicant is likely to become a public charge. This resource reviews the types of health insurance that may be available to intending immigrants, how each type of insurance is viewed by DHS and DOS, and the types of documentation that must be submitted to show enrollment or future enrollment in a health insurance policy.

The president issued the “Proclamation Suspending Entry of Immigrants Who Present Risk to the U.S. Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the COVID-19 Outbreak” on April 22, 2020, suspending certain immigrants from entering the United States for 60 days. The proclamation is effective at 11:59 p.m. ET on April 23, 2020.

CLINIC staff and affiliate members visited the National Visa Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on July 18. NVC Director Conn Schrader welcomed the group and Assistant Director Becky Austin provided an overview of processing at NVC. Following a tour of the facility, NVC staff answered the participants’ questions. This resource summarizes information provided during the visit.

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The Department of State (DOS) briefly changed the requirements for sponsors who must submit evidence of tax filing, along with the affidavit of support. The DOS website indicated that sponsors must submit a tax transcript rather than a copy of the Form 1040 that they filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Mexican nationals, or other immigrants who have lived in Mexico for more than six months, who are 18 years old or older, must now include police certificates with immigrant visa applications.