English | Scott Legal, P.C.

Business associates doing business over a desk of charts while holding a calculator

Immigration

Can I start and work on my company on a B-1 Business Visitor Visa or ESTA Business Visitor Visa Waiver?

The list of permissible activities is limited to what is allowed under the B-1 Business Visitor Visa status, or ESTA business visitor visa waiver status.

Khadija DerrickApril 19, 2022

H-1B and E-3 Visa Immigration

USCIS Releases FY 2023 H-1B Lottery Numbers

USCIS has released information on the FY 2023 H-1B lottery that ran in March 2022. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that permits a company to hire workers in specialty occupations.

Khadija DerrickApril 18, 2022

A man holding a Cannabis leaf in his hand

Immigration

I am a Legal Permanent Resident living in a state that allows the sell of marijuana-based products. I would like to accept employment, but I am concerned whether employment will place my status in jeopardy?

Drugs that are considered controlled substances under Federal law can lead to immigration consequences to non-US citizens if they possess, manufacture, or sell such controlled substances. Under federal law marijuana or cannabis is still considered a controlled substance. This means…

Khadija DerrickApril 15, 2022

An employment drawing done with marker on a notebook page

Immigration

The Validity of Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Cards Extended

Work authorizations for adjustment applicants used to be valid for one year only. Since the recent USCIS policy change on June 9, 2021, the new EAD cards will be valid for two years.

Khadija DerrickApril 14, 2022

A woman on her laptop directing marketing initiatives

Approvals

E-2 Visa Approval for a Marketing Company at the U.S. Embassy in London

We just had an E-2 investor visa approval at the U.S. Embassy in London. The applicant was renewing their visa and received another 5-year E-2 visa. The business is a marketing consultancy.

Khadija DerrickApril 12, 2022

Immigration

Texas Efforts to Stop the Implementation of Biden Immigration Policies

After winning the 2019 presidential elections, then President elect Biden proceeded to announce different goals his administration had to change immigration laws and policies to focus more on the efficient deployment of immigration enforcement resources while treating long residing undocumented…

Khadija DerrickApril 12, 2022

Approvals

E-2 Employee Visa Approval for a Recruitment Company at the U.S. Embassy in London for a National of Ireland

We just had an E-2 employee visa approval at the U.S. Embassy in London. The applicant was a senior manager for a recruitment firm.

Khadija DerrickApril 11, 2022

Immigration

Department of Homeland Announces Termination of Implementation of Title 42

Title 42 is a public health authority that was intended to prevent the spread of communicable disease. However, since March of 2020, the Trump administration invoked the law to attempt to turn away refugee and asylum seekers at a U.S.…

Khadija DerrickApril 11, 2022

Approvals

E-2 Approval at the US Consulate in London

We just had an E-2 approval at the US Consulate in London. The applicant, a national of the United Kingdom, will operate a gas station and convenience store.

Khadija DerrickApril 6, 2022

Immigration

Do I need a U.S. visa if I have a connecting flight through the U.S.?

International travelers who are transiting through the United States will need a U.S. visa. The most common visas used for transit are the C visa, ESTA or the B visa.

Khadija DerrickApril 6, 2022

A hand holding a piece of paper that says "asylum" on it

Deportation & Humanitarian Immigration Immigration

New Rule Streamlining the Asylum Application Process for Noncitizens Detained by Immigration Enforcement Officers

This new rule is to be published on March 31, 2022 and will go into effect 60 days later.

Khadija DerrickApril 5, 2022

An "approved" box checked on a piece of paper

Approvals

E-2 Approval for Advertising Agency Firm in California

We just had an E-2 approval with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services. The applicant, a national of Italy who will operate an Advertising Agency Firm in California.

Khadija DerrickApril 4, 2022

Approvals

E-2 Approval with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services

We just had an E-2 approval with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services. The applicant, a national of the Netherlands who will operate an Engineering Consulting Firm in California.

Khadija DerrickApril 4, 2022

A woman sitting at a desk full of backlog

Immigration

USCIS Introduce Expanded Expedited Processing to Reduce Backlog

USCIS has announced today various new actions to reduce the application backlog. The last few years of the pandemic has caused major delays in USCIS’ processing of applications.

Khadija DerrickApril 4, 2022

A group of healthcare workers joining hands in cooperation

Immigration

USCIS Offers Expedited Work Permits for Healthcare and Childcare Workers

USCIS offers expedited work permit processing for healthcare workers and childcare workers.

Khadija DerrickApril 1, 2022

E-2 Visa Immigration

Considerations for Long-Pending E-2 Visa Applications

E-2 applicants with long-pending applications who are attending visa interviews should prepare updated information prior to their E-2 interviews.

Khadija DerrickMarch 31, 2022

A woman wearing a mask while on public transportation

COVID-19 News

USCIS Extends Existing COVID-19 Accommodations

USCIS announced on March 27 that it is adopting measures to assist applicants and petitioners who are responding to requests for evidence (RFE) or notices of intent to deny (NOID).

Khadija DerrickMarch 30, 2022

Deportation & Humanitarian Immigration Immigration

DHS Designates Sudan for TPS, Extends South Sudan

The Department of Homeland Security has announced that it has designated Sudan for TPS and has extended TPS for South Sudan for an additional 18 months.

Khadija DerrickMarch 30, 2022

Approvals

Green Card Approval at the USCIS Field Office in New York City

We just had a green card approval at the USCIS Field Office in New York City for a spouse of a U.S. citizen. The conditional green card was approved for a period of 2 years

Khadija DerrickMarch 29, 2022

H-1B and E-3 Visa Immigration

FY 2023 H-1B Cap Lottery Has Been Completed

USCIS has announced that it has completed the regular and advanced degree selection lotteries and have notified employers of selection results.

Khadija DerrickMarch 29, 2022

A business woman and entrepreneur sitting in her office smiling with her arms crossed

Immigration National Interest Waiver

NIW Approval for Entrepreneur and Business Owner

We just had an NIW approval for a client that was an entrepreneur and business owner. The applicant performed consulting services that enhanced the businesses of others.

Khadija DerrickMarch 29, 2022

Immigration

Can I stay in the US on a visitor status, and continue working remotely for my foreign company, while being paid in my foreign account?

It could be risky to perform significant remote work for your foreign employer while staying in the US on a B1/B2 visa, because visitors on B1/B2 visas generally are not expected to spend the majority of their time performing productive…

Khadija DerrickMarch 29, 2022

Immigration

USCIS Expands Credit Card Payment to All Service Centers

USCIS has announced on March 2 that it has expanded credit card payments to all services center applications, except for Form I-129 applications for H-1B and H-2A applications.

Khadija DerrickMarch 28, 2022

Deportation & Humanitarian Immigration Immigration

Consulting with an Immigration Attorney-Deportation Case

A consultation with an immigration attorney is one of the most crucial steps in the process of dealing with a deportation/removal case. A deportation case is a long and harrowing process that requires knowledge and experience to traverse to have…

Khadija DerrickMarch 25, 2022

Approvals

E-2 Approval with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services

We just had an E-2 approval with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services. The applicant, a national of Canada, will operate an investment firm in New York.

Khadija DerrickMarch 24, 2022