{"id":3148,"date":"2021-02-20T07:00:23","date_gmt":"2021-02-20T07:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/britsimonsays.com\/?p=3148"},"modified":"2021-02-20T19:09:20","modified_gmt":"2021-02-20T19:09:20","slug":"explaining-the-current-status-for-dv2020-visa-holders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/britsimonsays.com\/explaining-the-current-status-for-dv2020-visa-holders\/","title":{"rendered":"Explaining the current status for DV2020 visa holders"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
So as you are all probably aware now, there was much to celebrate for DV2020 visa holders today. A lot happened in quite a short space of time. I have now had a better chance to read the order by Judge Mehta, and so let’s recap that order AND the other actions we had heard of prior to the order. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So in chronological order, the winning started earlier this week. I became aware of a case in the Netherlands where a DV2020 visa holder was about to have her visa expire on the 20th. She contacted the embassy, and she soon was told that the embassy was discussing her case with the Department of State in Washington. The embassy told her that they were working on helping all the DV2020 cases with visas issued, but particularly the cases that were expiring first. I was thrilled of course and posted a tweet about feeling positive without explanation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I did not want to say anything further about specifics of that case in case it caused the government lawyers to step in and advise the DoS to stop that plan. For the sake of that case, and knowing how important that was, I gave no information other than the cryptic tweet. This was Wednesday early morning – the day before the hearing. The NIE was then confirmed early morning (my time) on Thursday. It granted exemption from PP10014, 10143 and the Schengen 14 day restriction. Awesome news for the lucky recipient who then got her Covid all clear test and booked her flight. I believe she has actually entered the USA this evening. Now it is important to understand this selectee had no justification to be eligible for an NIE – this was granted only because she would otherwise have lost her visa. So – it was clear the government were trying to do something. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then in the hearing on Thursday, the government lawyers confirmed the fact that this NIE had been issued AND one other case. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Friday the government further confirmed that they had issued other NIEs also covering cases expiring up to Feb 28th. Again – this was a clear signal that they (DoS) intended to “take care” of those people with visas issued, and were prepared to issue NIEs to ensure fair treatment of those cases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I started a live Q&A and almost as I was starting, Curtis tweeted that Judge Mehta had issued an order as a decision from the hearing the previous day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n