Immigration Law Changes & New Law

Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

Impacts on Immigration Petitions if the Government is shut down

If the government shuts down what is the impact on my immigration application? If Congress does not pass a new funding bill by Friday, January 19, 2018, the U.S. government could experience a partial shutdown, meaning everyone except for “essential”…

Jenny ZhanJanuary 19, 2018

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/35/Waiting_for_goods.JPG - Wiki Commons, labeled for reuse

Deportation & Humanitarian Immigration Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

USCIS Resumes Accepting DACA Renewals After Court Order

USCIS announced on January 12, 2018 that it has resumed the renewal process for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program recipients. This decision came days after District Judge William Alsup issued an injunction order against the deportation of DACA…

Jenny ZhanJanuary 17, 2018

Courtesy of PublicDomainPictures, labeled for reuse: http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/pictures/160000/velka/american-flag-1459201553ppe.jpg

Deportation & Humanitarian Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

Federal Judge Temporarily Suspends Trump’s Phasing Out of Dreamers

On January 9, 2018, San Francisco based U.S. District Judge William Alsup issued an injunction order stating that safeguards against deportation will remain in place for the nearly 700,000 immigrants in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program while…

Jenny ZhanJanuary 10, 2018

Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

U.S. and Turkey Resume Full Visa Services

On December 28, 2017, the United States and Turkey have resumed full visa services for its citizens three months after suspension caused by rising tensions. Services were originally halted following Turkey’s arrest of a local employee of the U.S. Consulate…

Jenny ZhanJanuary 10, 2018

Deportation & Humanitarian Immigration Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

Trump Administration Ends Temporary Protection Status for Salvadorans

On January 8, 2018, the Trump administration announced that it will end Temporary Protection Status (TPS) for the 200,000 Salvadorans who came to the United States nearly two decades ago after El Salvador was hit with a pair of devastating…

Jenny ZhanJanuary 8, 2018

Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

What is the “Contiguous Territory Rule?” Can I Travel Outside the U.S. if my Visa Stamp is Expired?

As a general rule, foreign nationals on nonimmigrant status must have a valid unexpired visa if they wish to reenter the United States. However, there is an exception that allows a foreign national to enter the U.S. with an expired…

Jenny ZhanJanuary 5, 2018

Courtesy of Wikimedia, labeled for reuse: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d5/Flag_of_the_President_of_the_United_States_(1902-1916).svg/2000px-Flag_of_the_President_of_the_United_States_(1902-1916).svg.png

Immigration Law Changes & New Law Visa Waivers

Trump Administration Issues New Rules on Visa Waiver Program

On December 15, 2017, the Trump administration announced stricter screening and security measures at airports in Britain, Japan, and the 36 other countries participating in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. The Visa Waiver Program was originally passed in 1986 with…

Jenny ZhanDecember 21, 2017

Image courtesy of Pixabay, labeled for reuse: https://pixabay.com/p-1266188/?no_redirect

Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

DHS to Terminate Temporary Protected Status for Nationals of Nicaragua

On December 14, 2017, the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security announced that it would be ending its designation of Temporary Protected Status (“TPS”) for eligible nationals of Nicaragua. The termination of Nicaragua’s TPS will come into effect on January 5,…

Jenny ZhanDecember 21, 2017

Courtesy of Wikimedia, labeled for reuse: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/Flag_Map_of_the_United_States_(1912_-_1959).png

Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

USCIS Changes Policy of Deference to Prior Determinations For Nonimmigrant Petitions

USCIS Changes Policy of Deference to Prior Determinations For Nonimmigrant Petitions On October 23, 2017, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced that it will revise its policy regarding prior determinations for nonimmigrant petitions. According to its policy…

Jenny ZhanDecember 1, 2017

Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

Department of Defense Announces Policy Changes to MAVNI Military Requirement Program

Department of Defense Announces Policy Changes to MAVNI Military Requirement Program On October 13, 2017, the Department of Defense (“DoD”) released several memoranda that increases the scrutiny on immigrants joining the Military. The new policy changes affect participants in the…

Jenny ZhanDecember 1, 2017

Deportation & Humanitarian Immigration Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

Department of Homeland Security Announces Termination of Temporary Protected Status for Nicaragua & Automatic Extension for Honduras

On November 6, 2017, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke announced her decision to terminate the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Nicaragua. Temporary Protected Status was created by Congress in the Immigration Act of 1990 to provide a…

Jenny ZhanNovember 29, 2017

Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

USCIS Changes Policy of Deference to Prior Determinations For Nonimmigrant Petitions – Change in the Way USCIS will Adjudicate Petitions

On October 23, 2017, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced that it will revise its policy regarding prior determinations for nonimmigrant petitions. According to its policy memorandum, USCIS will no longer defer to prior determinations of eligibility…

IanScottOctober 27, 2017

Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

Two Federal Judges issue injunctions against enforcement of the latest Trump travel ban

On Tuesday, October 17, Judge Derrick K. Watson, a Federal judge in Hawaii, issued an injunction against the enforcement of large portions of President Trump’s most recent (third) iteration of the travel ban. Fast on the heels of this decision,…

IanScottOctober 20, 2017

Labeled for reuse: http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/pictures/70000/velka/three-generation.jpg

Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

The US is Now Accepting Applications for the Diversity Visa Lottery for 2019

As of October 3, 2017 the U.S. government began accepting Diversity Visa Lottery (Green Card Lottery) applications for 2019, which is the year successful applicants will be able to enter the US on the Green Card issued to them. An…

IanScottOctober 11, 2017

Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

United States and Turkey Suspend Processing of Nonimmigrant Visas

On October 8, 2017, the U.S. Embassy in Ankara announced it would suspend nonimmigrant visa services indefinitely. The suspension comes after a Turkish staff member of the U.S. diplomatic mission was arrested by Turkish authorities. According to the Consulate’s official…

IanScottOctober 11, 2017

Deportation & Humanitarian Immigration Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

What is Temporary Protected Status? What Options are Available to Individuals on TPS?

On September 18, 2017, the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security announced that it would be ending its designation of Temporary Protected Status (“TPS”) for eligible nationals of Sudan. The termination of Sudan’s TPS will come into effect on November 2,…

IanScottOctober 11, 2017

Courtesy of Pixabay, labeled for reuse: https://pixabay.com/static/uploads/photo/2015/02/01/05/55/family-eating-at-the-table-619142_960_720.jpg

Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

New I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Permits Foreign Nationals to Apply for Social Security Numbers Simultaneously

October 2, 2017 USCIS released an updated I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (EAD) featuring a new section which allows foreign nationals already in the U.S., in certain classifications, to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) alongside the Employment Authorization…

IanScottOctober 9, 2017

Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

President Trump Issues an Executive Order Indefinitely Barring Most Travel to the U.S. For Citizens of Chad, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and North Korea

On Sunday September 25, 2017, as President Trump’s Executive Order barring travel from seven countries was set to expire, he issued a Presidential Proclamation (Executive Order) indefinitely suspending immigrant and non-immigrant travel to the U.S. for nationals from Chad, Iran,…

IanScottSeptember 25, 2017

Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law Questions & Answers

Immigration Services that may Help People Affected by Recent Natural Disasters

The U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services recently released information that may help individuals impacted by the recent natural disasters in the U.S., including Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria. People who were impacted by unforeseen circumstances, including natural disasters,…

IanScottSeptember 25, 2017

Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law Questions & Answers

Trump Administration Ends Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (“DACA”) Program – What will the Cancellation of DACA Mean? DACA Cancelled, What Next?

On September 5, 2017, The Trump Administration announced the end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (“DACA”) program (To learn more about the DACA Program, click here.) The Obama Administration implemented the DACA program by executive order signed on…

IanScottSeptember 7, 2017

Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

New In-Person Interview Requirement for Applicants Applying for a Green Card – What is the New Green Card Interview Requirement?

The Trump administration has imposed a new in-person interview requirement that will lengthen the amount of time it takes to get a green card. The new requirement, which was confirmed by a spokesman for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,…

IanScottAugust 31, 2017

Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

What is the proposed RAISE Act? What is the New Proposal to Cut Legal Immigration? Will the Trump Administration Cut Immigration? What is the New Immigration Bill?

On August 2, 2017, two Republican Senators introduced the Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy (RAISE) Act with the endorsement of the President. This bill, if passed, would effectively eliminate how immigration law currently operates and reduce the number…

IanScottAugust 3, 2017

Deportation & Humanitarian Immigration Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

What is the Dream Act 2017 Bill? Is it different from DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)?

The Dream Act 2017 Bill was introduced into Congress last week with bi-partisan support. In a political time where immigration policies and immigrants seem to be under constant attack, this well-drafted bill, if ultimately passed, could provide many individuals who…

IanScottJuly 28, 2017

Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

I have an employee on OPT. Are they eligible for the STEM extension? What are the employer and student obligations under the STEM OPT program?

What is OPT? If you are a foreign national in the U.S. on an F-1 visa you can participate in temporary employment that is related to your field of study. This employment is called Optional Practical Training (OPT) and can…

IanScottJune 16, 2017

Deportation & Humanitarian Immigration Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

What are the New Visa Vetting Procedures? What is Extreme Vetting? What is the Form DS-5535 and will it affect my application?

On March 6, 2017, the White House issued a Memorandum which directed the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and others to implement additional protocols and procedures to “ensure the proper collection of all information necessary to rigorously…

IanScottJune 16, 2017

Impacts on Immigration Petitions if the Government is shut down

USCIS Resumes Accepting DACA Renewals After Court Order

Federal Judge Temporarily Suspends Trump’s Phasing Out of Dreamers

U.S. and Turkey Resume Full Visa Services

Trump Administration Ends Temporary Protection Status for Salvadorans

What is the “Contiguous Territory Rule?” Can I Travel Outside the U.S. if my Visa Stamp is Expired?

Trump Administration Issues New Rules on Visa Waiver Program

DHS to Terminate Temporary Protected Status for Nationals of Nicaragua

USCIS Changes Policy of Deference to Prior Determinations For Nonimmigrant Petitions

Department of Defense Announces Policy Changes to MAVNI Military Requirement Program

Department of Homeland Security Announces Termination of Temporary Protected Status for Nicaragua & Automatic Extension for Honduras

USCIS Changes Policy of Deference to Prior Determinations For Nonimmigrant Petitions – Change in the Way USCIS will Adjudicate Petitions

Two Federal Judges issue injunctions against enforcement of the latest Trump travel ban

The US is Now Accepting Applications for the Diversity Visa Lottery for 2019

United States and Turkey Suspend Processing of Nonimmigrant Visas

What is Temporary Protected Status? What Options are Available to Individuals on TPS?

New I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Permits Foreign Nationals to Apply for Social Security Numbers Simultaneously

President Trump Issues an Executive Order Indefinitely Barring Most Travel to the U.S. For Citizens of Chad, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and North Korea

Immigration Services that may Help People Affected by Recent Natural Disasters

Trump Administration Ends Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (“DACA”) Program – What will the Cancellation of DACA Mean? DACA Cancelled, What Next?

New In-Person Interview Requirement for Applicants Applying for a Green Card – What is the New Green Card Interview Requirement?

What is the proposed RAISE Act? What is the New Proposal to Cut Legal Immigration? Will the Trump Administration Cut Immigration? What is the New Immigration Bill?

What is the Dream Act 2017 Bill? Is it different from DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)?

I have an employee on OPT. Are they eligible for the STEM extension? What are the employer and student obligations under the STEM OPT program?

What are the New Visa Vetting Procedures? What is Extreme Vetting? What is the Form DS-5535 and will it affect my application?

About The Blog

Search Articles by Topic

Search

Let us be your reliable partner

On your journey to achieving your immigration and business objectives.