The onset and persistence of the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the shortage of healthcare workers in the United States, especially in rural areas. Periodic spikes in infection levels has sped burn-out among healthcare workers. There are many foreign nationals who can and do fill these healthcare roles including those in Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
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COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Travelers From Mexico, Canada
By Aimee Guthat on
Posted in Immigration, Travel and Tourism
As of January 22, 2022, all non-U.S. individuals seeking entrance to the United States at land or sea ports of entry on the Mexican or Canadian borders must be “fully vaccinated” and provide proof of such. There is no longer an exception for “essential” travel. The requirement does not apply to U.S. individuals, i.e., U.S.…
Nationwide Injunction on COVID-19 Vaccine for Federal Contractors Applies to Vaccine Requirement Only
The federal court that issued a nationwide injunction of Executive Order (EO) 14042. Read more.
COVID-19 State Updates
Several cities, states, counties and Puerto Rico have made updates to their COVID-19-related laws, regulations and orders. See below for the latest news.
California
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Fifth Circuit Grants, In Part, Motion to Stay Nationwide Preliminary Injunction on Centers for Medicare & Medicaid COVID-19 Vaccine Rule
By Sarah R. Skubas & Jessica L. Draper on
On December 15, 2021, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals granted, in part, the federal administration’s motion to stay the nationwide preliminary injunction enjoining the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) from enforcing its COVID-19 vaccine mandate nationwide as to non-plaintiff states. Louisiana et al v. Becerra et al., No. 3:12-cv-03970 (W.D. La. December…
A Busy Day in Court For COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates in Healthcare
By Sarah R. Skubas on
Posted in Healthcare, New York
The U.S. Supreme Court denied a request to enjoin New York State from enforcing its regulation requiring COVID-19 vaccination for healthcare workers despite the fact that the regulation did not allow for religious accommodations. The Court did not issue any written opinion or rationale but was accompanied by a 14-page dissent by Justice Gorsuch.
Meanwhile,…
New U.S. Requirements for International Travel in Response to COVID-19 Omicron Variant
By Forrest G. Read IV on
Posted in Immigration, Travel and Tourism
In response to the COVID-19 Omicron variant, the administration is expanding COVID-19 mitigation and tightening international travel requirements.
All individuals (including U.S. citizens) entering the United States from abroad will have to be fully vaccinated and present a negative COVID-19 test taken within one day of their departure. Previously, individuals were required to be fully
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Nationwide Preliminary Injunction on Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Enforcing COVID-19 Vaccine Rule
The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana has granted a preliminary injunction enjoining the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) from enforcing its COVID-19 vaccine mandate nationwide. Read more.
New COVID-19 Restrictions in Response to Omicron Variant
By Michael H. Neifach on
The Administration has imposed new restrictions beginning November 29, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. ET on individuals travelling to the United States from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawai, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe (the “South African restrictions”) in response to the appearance of the COVID-19 Omicron variant. These restrictions go into effect just three weeks after…
Delays at U.S. Passport Agencies Continue
By Ryung Nam Kim on
Posted in Immigration, Travel and Tourism
U.S. passport agencies maintained extremely limited operations as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. There were significant delays, application status could not even be checked online and people were encouraged to wait to apply until normal operations resumed absent life or death emergencies. In June 2020, the agency started resuming regular operations with a…