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🌍Changes to Haiti's TPS Impacting Employment Authorization for Businesses

Through this notice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) has decided to partially vacate the June 4, 2024, decision of former Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas regarding the extension of the designation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and the new designation of Haiti for TPS. In the 2024 action, former Secretary Mayorkas again extended the designation of Haiti for TPS for the statutory maximum of 18 months (until February 3, 2026), which covered approximately 199,445 Haitian nationals; and again newly designated Haiti for TPS, which had the effect of allowing approximately 321,349 additional Haitian nationals to qualify for the same 18-month period. For the reasons described in this notice, the Secretary has determined to partially vacate the June 4, 2024, decision by reducing the designation period from 18 months to 12 months. The Secretary is also making a corresponding change to the registration deadline for new applicants under the new designation. Accordingly, by operation of this notice, the Haiti TPS extension and new designation will expire on August 3, 2025, instead of February 3, 2026, and the first-time registration will remain in effect until August 3, 2025, instead of February 3, 2026.

📄Termination of Trade Policy Investigation by ITC

On February 4, 2025, the Commission received a letter from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) withdrawing its request made on January 25, 2023, that the Commission prepare a series of public reports on the potential distributional effects of goods and services trade and trade policy on U.S. workers and underrepresented and underserved communities. Therefore, the Commission has terminated Investigation No. 332-599, "Distributional Effects of Trade and Trade Policy on U.S. Workers, 2026 Report", and will not release a report related to this investigation. The USTR requested the investigation and report under authority delegated by the President and pursuant to section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930.

🚫Termination of TPS for Venezuelan Nationals

On October 3, 2023, Venezuela was newly designated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) based on the determination that there were extraordinary and temporary conditions in that country that prevented the safe return of Venezuelan nationals, and that permitting such Venezuelan nationals to remain temporarily in the United States is not contrary to the U.S. national interest. The 2023 designation of Venezuela for TPS is set to expire on April 2, 2025. After reviewing country conditions and considering whether permitting Venezuelan nationals covered by the 2023 designation is contrary to the national interest of the United States, in consultation with the appropriate U.S. Government agencies, the Secretary of Homeland Security has determined that Venezuela no longer continues to meet the conditions for the 2023 designation. In particular, the Secretary has determined it is contrary to the national interest to permit the covered Venezuelan nationals to remain temporarily in the United States. The Secretary therefore is terminating the 2023 TPS designation of Venezuela. This termination is effective April 7, 2025. After April 7, 2025, nationals of Venezuela (and aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Venezuela) who have been granted TPS under the 2023 Venezuela designation will no longer have TPS. This termination determination does not apply to the 2021 designation of Venezuela for TPS, which remains in effect until September 10, 2025, or to individuals who are registered for TPS under the 2021 designation.

⚖️Executive Order Restores Rights to Discharged Military Members

Executive Order 14184 addresses the reinstatement of military service members discharged under the COVID-19 vaccination mandate, directing the Secretary of Defense to facilitate their return to service with full benefits, rank, and pay. It aims to rectify past unfair discharges and ensure that those unjustly affected can reclaim their military roles without penalty.

🛑Executive Order 14165

Executive Order 14165 focuses on enhancing border security in the United States through physical barriers and various enforcement actions. It aims to address illegal immigration and associated risks, establishing policies for the detention of illegal entrants and the prosecution of related offenses. The order highlights the federal government’s priority to secure the nation’s borders and protect citizens from potential threats.

📄Reforming Federal Hiring Practices Under Executive Order 14170

Executive Order 14170 aims to reform the federal hiring process to attract a high-caliber workforce committed to American values and constitutional principles. The order emphasizes merit-based recruitment, establishes a Federal Hiring Plan, and sets accountability measures to modernize the hiring process, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in federal services.

🚔Executive Order 14159

Executive Order 14159 is aimed at reinforcing immigration enforcement in the U.S. It rescinds previous orders, establishes enforcement priorities, and mandates the creation of task forces to combat illegal immigration and associated crimes. Additionally, it seeks to revoke federal funds from jurisdictions that do not comply with federal law, create civil penalties for employers of undocumented workers, and promote public safety through enhanced immigration controls.

⚖️DHS Notice on Expedited Removal

This Notice rescinds the March 21, 2022 Notice, Rescission of the Notice of July 23, 2019, Designation for Expedited Removal. This Notice also restores the scope of expedited removal to the fullest extent authorized by Congress.

💼Changes to Federal Wage System Impacting Wage Areas Announced

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing a final rule to change the regulatory criteria used to define Federal Wage System (FWS) wage area boundaries and make changes in certain wage areas. The purpose of this change, which will affect around ten percent of the FWS workforce, is to make the FWS wage area criteria more similar to the General Schedule (GS) locality pay area criteria. This change is based on a December 2023 majority recommendation of the Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee (FPRAC), the statutory national-level labor-management committee that advises OPM on the administration of the FWS.

🌍Extension of Deferred Enforced Departure for Hong Kong Residents