Immigration

EB-5 Program Extended to January 19, 2018

December 22, 2017 | Blog | By Immigration News Team, Alexander Hecht, R. Neal Martin

With just hours to spare in order to avoid a government shutdown, the House and Senate approved on December 21 a short-term continuing resolution (CR) funding federal activities through January 19.

National Venture Capital Association Wins Lawsuit Challenging Delay of Implementation of International Entrepreneur Parole Rule

December 19, 2017 | Blog | By Susan Cohen

On December 1, 2017 Judge James Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted summary judgment to the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) in its challenge to a regulation published by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) delaying the implementation of the International Entrepreneur Parole (IEP) Rule.

Two Supreme Court Orders Reinstate Trump’s Travel Ban

December 19, 2017 | Blog | By William Coffman

On Monday, December 4, 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court issued two separate, but related, orders staying lower courts’ preliminary injunctions against President Trump’s most recent travel ban (see our previous alert). The practical impact of these Supreme Court orders is that the latest travel ban reinstates President Trump’s Presidential Proclamation of September 24, 2017.

US Visa Processing in Turkey Resumes on a Limited Basis; Again, Turkey Responds in Kind

November 14, 2017 | Blog | By Maryanne Kline

In early October, we reported that US visa processing in Turkey had been suspended amid security concerns, and that the government of Turkey had responded with a suspension of visa processing for US citizens.

Travel Ban: 9th Circuit Allows Partial Implementation

November 14, 2017 | Blog

On November 13, 2017, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco partially granted an emergency request by the United States government to allow the travel ban issued by President Trump on September 24, 2017 (see our previous alert) to go into effect.

Proposed Framework for EB-5 Reform – Headed for Omnibus in December?

October 24, 2017 | Blog | By Douglas Hauer

With all eyes in Washington focused on tax reform, let’s not forget that there is a hard deadline approaching to address funding of federal activities with the current continuing resolution (CR) set to expire soon. The CR has been in effect since the start of the current fiscal year on October 1 and runs through December 8.

Trump Administration Suggests Potential Cuts to Cultural Exchange Visas

August 29, 2017 | Blog | By William Coffman

The Trump Administration is evaluating potential reductions to U.S. cultural exchange programs that allow young people from across the world the opportunity to work temporarily in the US. The potential cuts would impact five programs that are part of the J-1 visa exchange visitor program.

U.S. Mission in Russia to Temporarily Suspend NIV Issuance

August 22, 2017 | Blog | By William Coffman

In a continuation of the diplomatic tit-for-tat with Russia, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow announced on Monday, August 21, 2017, that it would suspend issuance of nonimmigrant visas for eight days starting August 23rd. Nonimmigrant visa issuance will resume at the Embassy on September 1st, but will be suspended indefinitely at other posts in Russia.

The RAISE Act: A Flawed and Misguided Immigration Bill

August 3, 2017 | Blog | By Susan Cohen

On August 2, 2017 Republican Senators Tom Cotton (AR) and David Perdue (GA) unveiled an immigration bill titled The Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy Act (RAISE Act). While the stated purpose of this bill is to increase skilled immigration to the U.S. and protect the American workforce, it would do neither of these things.

Mintz Attorneys to Address National LGBT Bar Conference

August 2, 2017 | Blog | By Immigration News Team

Doug Hauer, Member, will be a featured panelist at the National LGBT Bar Association’s annual Lavender Law conference and career fair on August 2-4, 2017 in San Francisco.

Cap-Exempt H-1B Petitions Once Again Eligible for Premium Processing

July 25, 2017 | Blog | By William Coffman

Effective immediately, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will resume premium processing for select cap-exempt H-1B petitions. Cap-exempt petitioners who are eligible for premium processing can file Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, along with the filing fee of $1,225.

Latest Supreme Court Decision on Travel Ban for Nationals of Iran, Sudan, Libya, Syria, Yemen, and Somalia: Close Relatives are Now Exempt

July 24, 2017 | Blog | By Barbara Chin

This is a follow-up to the Supreme Court’s decision on June 26, 2017 which allowed the Trump Administration’s Travel Ban affecting nationals of the six designated Muslim-majority countries to be partially implemented until its hearing on the merits in the fall.

USCIS Revises Form I-9

July 19, 2017 | Blog | By Angel Feng

On July 17, 2017, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published another revised version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. It will be mandatory for employers to use this new version of the form commencing September 18, 2017.

Additional 15,000 Visas for H-2B Temporary Nonagricultural Workers for FY 2017

July 19, 2017 | Blog | By Barbara Chin

Effective upon publication by the Federal Register on Wednesday, July 19, 2017, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has authorized the one-time issuance of an additional 15,000 H-2B visas for Temporary Nonagricultural Workers through September 30, 2017.

Opportunity Foreclosed: The International Entrepreneur Parole Rule May Die Before it Gets Out of the Gate

July 13, 2017 | Blog | By Susan Cohen

The U.S. and worldwide entrepreneur community had been looking forward to July 17th with great anticipation. This was supposed to be the effective date of the new International Entrepreneur Parole immigration regulation.

USCIS Introduces Redesigned I-485 Application Forms

June 28, 2017 | Blog | By Maryanne Kline

On June 26, 2017, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) introduced a redesigned version of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. This form is used in the final stage of the permanent residence, or “green card,” process for most applicants physically present in the United States.

U.S. Supreme Court Rules on Travel Ban

June 27, 2017 | Blog

On Monday, June 26th, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) issued a mixed decision in the “Travel Ban” litigation, relating to Presidential Executive Order 13780 (“EO”).

U.S. Supreme Court Tightens Criteria for Revoking Citizenship

June 23, 2017 | Blog | By Maryanne Kline

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled unanimously that naturalized American citizens cannot be stripped of citizenship if a lie or omission in the application process was irrelevant to the government’s decision to approve the naturalization application in the first place.

I-94 Website Feature – CBP Now to Remind Travelers of Departure Date

June 7, 2017 | Blog | By Immigration News Team

On May 31st, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that they have published a new update on the I-94 website. CBP will remind travelers via e-mail of their officially recorded departure date from the United States.

TPS Extended for Haitians and Court of Appeals Upholds the Block of Second Travel Ban

May 26, 2017 | Blog | By Cassie Ramos

On May 24th, DHS Secretary John F. Kelly extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) through January 22, 2018 for eligible nationals of Haiti and individuals without nationality who last habitually resided in Haiti.

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