U.S.A.s latest:USCIS Announces Flexibility in Submitting Required Signatures During COVID-19 National Emergency

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that, due to the ongoing COVID-19 National Emergency announced by President Trump on March 13, 2020, we will accept all benefit forms and documents with reproduced original signatures, including the Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, for submissions dated March 21, 2020, and beyond. USCIS already accepts various petitions, applications and other documents bearing an electronically reproduced original signature. This means that a document may be scanned, faxed, photocopied, or similarly reproduced provided that the copy must be of an original document containing an original handwritten signature, unless otherwise specified.[1] For forms that require an original “wet” signature, per form instructions, USCIS will accept electronically reproduced original signatures for the duration of the National Emergency. This temporary change only applies to signatures. All other form instructions should be followed when completing a form. Individuals or entities that submit documents bearing an electronically reproduced original signature must also retain copies of the original documents containing the “wet” signature.  USCIS may, at any time, request the original documents, which if not produced, could negatively impact the adjudication of the immigration benefit. [1] See Volume 1, General Policies and Procedures, Part B, Submission of Benefit Requests, Chapter 2, Signatures [1 USCIS-PM B.2]. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced the immediate and temporary suspension of premium processing service for all Form I-129 and I-140 petitions until further notice due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Effective today, March 20, 2020, USCIS will not accept any new requests for premium processing. USCIS will process any petition with a previously accepted Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, in accordance with the premium processing service criteria. However, we will not be able to send notices using pre-paid envelopes. We will only send batch-printed notices. Petitioners who have already filed a Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, or Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, using the premium processing service and who receive no agency action on their case within the 15-calendar-day period will receive a refund, consistent with 8 CFR 103.7(e). We will notify the public with a confirmed date for resuming premium processing. USCIS will reject the I-907 and return the $1,440 filing fee for all petitions requesting premium processing that were mailed before March 20 but not yet accepted. This temporary suspension includes petitions filed for the following categories: I-129: E-1, E-2, H-1B, H-2B, H-3, L-1A, L-1B, LZ, O-1, O-2, P-1, P-1S, P-2, P-2S, P-3, P-3S, Q-1, R-1, TN-1 and TN-2. I-140: EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3. This includes new premium processing requests for all H-1B petitions, including H-1B cap-subject petitions for fiscal year 2021, petitions from previous fiscal years, and all H-1B petitions that are exempt from the cap. USCIS previously announced the temporary suspension of premium processing for FY 2021 cap-subject petitions and tentative dates for resumption of premium processing service. This announcement expands upon and supersedes the previous announcement. For current Form I-129 and I-140 processing times, visit the Check Case Processing Times page and the H-1B page on the USCIS website. The initial registration period for the fiscal year 2021 H-1B numerical allocations will close at noon Eastern on March 20. Registrations must be properly submitted before noon Eastern on March 20 to be considered in the initial selection process. If USCIS receives enough registrations during the initial registration period, we will randomly select the number of registrations we project are needed to reach the FY 2021 H-1B numerical allocations and send selection notifications via users’ online accounts. We intend to notify registrants with selected registrations from the initial registration period no later than March 31, 2020, that they are eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition for the beneficiary named in the applicable selected registration. An H-1B cap-subject petition must be properly filed within the filing period indicated on the relevant selection notice. The period for filing the H-1B cap subject petition will be at least 90 days. For more information, visit the H-1B Electronic Registration Process page. SBA Providing Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19) The SBA is working directly with state Governors to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and non-profits that have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. Small business owners in many states are now eligible to apply.  Apply for disaster assistance  SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza on  Updated Criteria for States Requesting Disaster Assistance Loans We’re very encouraged that banks and financial institutions are responding to the President’s efforts to mobilize an unprecedented public-private response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. As a result, most small businesses that need credit during these uncertain times will be able to obtain it. However, our goal is to ensure that credit is available to any and all small businesses that need credit but are unable to access it on reasonable terms through traditional lending channels. To that end, the SBA is relaxing the criteria through which states or territories may formally request an economic injury declaration, effective immediately.  Read the full press release Explore CDC Guidance to Protect Your Business and Employees The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers the most up-to-date information on COVID-19.  The following interim guidance may help prevent workplace exposures to acute respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, in non-healthcare settings:  Actively encourage sick employees to stay home Separate sick employees Emphasize staying home when sick, respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene by all employees Perform routine environmental cleaning  More interim guidance for businesses and employers  Get Free Local Business Assistance  Times are tough for small businesses but SBA is here to help no matter where you are.  SBA's District Offices and Resource Partners like SCORE offices, Women’s Business Centers, Small Business Development Centers and Veterans Business Outreach Centers have trained experts who can help you craft a plan specific to your situation and navigate rapid changes in the marketplace. Find Local Business Assistance near you Explore Capital Access Options Incidents can strain a small business's financial capacity to make payroll, maintain inventory and respond to market fluctuations (both sudden drops and surges in demand). SBA provides a number of loan resources for small businesses to find the right capital access options so they have what they need when they need it. Learn more about SBA loan programs and connect with an SBA-approved lender  Get Exporting Assistance  SBA provides export loans to help small businesses achieve sales through exports and can help these businesses respond to opportunities and challenges associated with trade, such as COVID-19. The loans are available to U.S. small businesses that export directly overseas, or those that export indirectly by selling to a customer that then exports their products. Learn more about how SBA can help you with exporting Find Help with Government Contracting  SBA is focused on assisting with the continuity of operations for small business contracting programs and small businesses with federal contracts. These includes small businesses in the 8(a) Business Development program, HUBZone program, and Women-owned Small Business program, and others. Learn more about government contracting  The following Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) reports were released on Thursday, March 19, 2020. Canada: Livestock and Products Semi-annual The Canadian cattle herd continues to contract while African Swine Fever (ASF) and market volatility concerns reduce the Canadian swine herd. Increased imports of U.S. feeder cattle are driven by strong Canadian feedlot demand, but imports will be reduced in 2020 due to constraints in Eastern Canada and contraction of the U.S. cattle herd. Canadian beef exports will increase in 2020 on strong global demand and the reopening of the Chinese market to Canadian beef in late 2019. A reduction in the Canadian sow herd will see a diminished pig crop in 2020. The increase in slaughter and a further contraction of the Canadian swine herd in 2020 is driven by increased global demand for pork. The United States continues to be the dominant import/export market for Canadian beef and pork products.    China: China's Material Requirements for Infant Formula Product Registration  On May 23, 2017, China's former State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) published material requirements for applications of recipe registration of infant and young children formula milk powder products. Since that time, China's central government was reorganized, with the State Administration of Market Regulations taking over as the competent authority for this registration process. Although this regulation came into force on, May 23, 2017, this report contains a recently translated copy of the regulation. Colombia: Colombia Proposes Nutritional Labeling Requirements On February 26, 2020, the Colombian Ministry of Health (MinSalud) announced that Colombia will require warning labels on foods that are high in salt, saturated fats, and added sugars starting in 2022. This proposed regulation is separate from an earlier one that Colombia notified to the WTO that establishes sodium limits on a wide range of consumer ready products. Denmark: Exporter Guide Although a small market in the European Union, Denmark offers export opportunities for U.S. exporters of wood pellets, wine, seafood, tree nuts, beer, and several other products. The exporter guide focuses on Agricultural and Fishery products and provides practical tips for U.S. exporters on how to conduct business in Denmark. Germany: German Farmers Fear Lack of Seasonal Workers  Agricultural Situation, Agriculture in the News, Avocado, Canned Deciduous Fruit, Dried Fruit, Fresh Deciduous Fruit, Fresh Fruit, Kiwifruit, Raisins, Stone Fruit, Strawberries, Vegetables, Pest/Disease Occurrences India: Grain Voluntary Update - March 2020 On February 18, 2020, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoAFW) forecast the second advance estimate for the Indian crop year (ICY) 2019/20 (July/June) grain production at a record 292 million metric tons (MMT), nearly 7 MMT higher than last year’s final estimate, and previous record of 285.2 MMT. Due to the above-normal 2019 monsoon, MoAFW has forecast record production of rice and wheat, and near record production of corn and pulses, for the upcoming season. MY 2019/20 rice production is revised higher to a record 117 MMT, ending stocks to 34 MMT, and exports lower to 10 MMT. MY 2019/20 wheat production is raised higher to a record 103.6 MMT, and ending stocks are higher at 22.1 MMT. The Production, Supply and Distribution (PS&D) tables for corn and other coarse grains have been revised to reflect MoAFW’s latest estimates. Jordan: Grain Imports to Suffer as Jordan Struggles with Low Growth in 2020 Jordan is dependent on grain imports, any disruption to trade will jeopardize the country's food security and its stability. FAS Amman forecasts wheat imports in marketing year (MY) 2020/21 at 850,000 metric tons (MT), down 50,000 MT or 5.5 percent lower compared to the USDA official MY 2019/20 estimate of 900,000 metric tons. The drop is due to the Ministry of Industry Trade and Supply scaling back purchases of wheat for its targeted assistance programs. Corn imports in MY 2020/21 are forecast at 675,000 MT, down 325,000 MT or 32.5 percent lower than the USDA official MY 2019/20 estimate of 1.0 million metric tons. The drop in imports is due to decreased demand for corn by the poultry and dairy sectors and due to excess inventory in MY 2019/20. Rice imports in MY 2020/21 are forecast at 215,000 MT, down 35,000 MT or 14 percent lower than the USDA official 2019/20 estimate of 250,000 metric tons. Imports of U.S.-origin rice at 100,000 MT, will account for almost half of themarket share. Portugal: Portugal Biofuels Policy and Market In 2020, RED II provisions, not yet transposed to Portuguese Law, will increase marketing opportunities for virgin-oil based biofuels. Additionally, the 2030 cap on advanced biofuels produced from waste fats and oils, will force Portuguese biofuel producers to find alternatives to the extensive use of Used Cooking Oils, unless exceptions are granted at the national level. Hence, the duty phase-out on U.S. bioethanol is not anticipated to result in a surge of U.S. bioethanol exports to this market. According to the National Plan for Climate and Energy, over the next decade, electricity along with advanced biofuels and hydrogen will play a prominent role in Portugal's renewable energy transport. Spain: Cotton and Products Annual The slowdown in economic activity, in domestic and export markets, lowered the Spanish textile industry consumption of cotton lint. This encouraged larger exports of cotton lint in MY2018/19 and MY2019/20. The lack of alternative crops available to grow in salty soils conditions keeps Spanish cotton area inelastic. Hence, in MY2020/21, despite weak overall demand, farmers are expected to plant a similar cotton acreage. For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.