Weekly Immigration Update: November 10–16, 2023

United States, November 16, 2023
Congress Passes Stopgap Spending Bill; Immigration Operations Funded Through February 2

• Congress has passed a short-term spending bill that will fund some federal agencies - including immigration operations - through February 2, 2024, while other federal agencies will be funded through January 19, 2024.
• President Biden is expected to sign the bill, which would avert a U.S. government shutdown at midnight on November 17, 2023.

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Peru, November 14, 2023
New Law Introduces Digital Nomad Visa, Shorter Validity of Local Identification Cards, Among Other Changes  

The government of Peru has published a Legislative Decree that, once it is effective, will introduce the following key changes, among others:

• • A new Digital Nomad Visa;
  • A shorter validity of Local Identification Cards for foreign residents; and
  • A faster deportation process for certain foreign nationals.

These changes are expected to come into effect in the next six months upon the adoption of additional legislative procedures.

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South Africa, November 14, 2023
White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection Published for Comment

• The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has published a ‘White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection’ to establish a process for foreign nationals to obtain residency and citizenship in South Africa, as well as to safeguard refugees and asylum seekers. This framework will ensure adherence to international migration agreements and protocols to which South Africa is a signatory.
• The White Paper proposes South Africa temporarily withdraw from two international agreements on refugee protection namely, the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention and the 1967 UN Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, as South Africa does not have the resources to grant the socioeconomic rights to refugees envisaged in the 1951 Convention.
• Individuals interested in submitting comments must do so by January 19, 2024.

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United States, November 9, 2023
December Visa Bulletin – Slight Movement for China EB-2 and EB-3, No Change in Remaining Employment-Based Categories; USCIS to Honor Dates for Filing in December

• In December, USCIS will accept employment-based adjustment of status applications from foreign nationals with a priority date that is earlier than the Dates for Filing listed in the State Department’s December 2023 Visa Bulletin.
• The Dates for Filing for all employment-based categories will remain unchanged.
• The EB-2 and EB-3 Final Action Dates for China will advance by three weeks to October 22, 2019 and January 22, 2020, respectively. The Final Action Dates for all remaining employment-based categories will remain unchanged.

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