Mid-May 2017 Immigration Update
Headlines: Spending Bill Extends EB-5 Investor Visa Program to September 30; No Funding for Wall – The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 extends the EB-5 immigrant investor visa program through September 30, 2017. The legislation also provides a large border-security funding increase, but no funding for a border wall. USCIS Completes Data Entry of FY […]
May 2017 Immigration Update
Headlines: President Trump Signs ‘Buy American and Hire American’ Executive Order – Among other things, the order calls for the Secretaries of State, Labor, and Homeland Security, along with the Attorney General, to “propose new rules and issue new guidance, to supersede or revise previous rules and guidance if appropriate,” to protect U.S. workers in […]
Mid-April 2017 Immigration Update
Headlines: USCIS Reaches FY 2018 H-1B Cap – On April 7, 2017, USCIS reached the H-1B cap for FY 2018. USCIS also received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to meet the 20,000 visa U.S. advanced degree exemption. USCIS Changes H-1B Specialty Occupation Guidance for Computer Programmers – Attorneys are expecting an increase in requests […]
April 2017 Global Immigration Update
Headlines: INDIA – India has launched an e-Tourist Visa for certain travelers. ITALY – Various developments have been announced. NETHERLANDS – This article offers comments from a Dutch perspective on the new European Union Directive on intracorporate transferees. TURKEY – Regulations on the new Turquoise Card have been published. UNITED KINGDOM – This article discusses […]
April 2017 Immigration Update
Headlines: USCIS To Accept FY 2018 H-1B Petitions Starting April 3 – USCIS will begin accepting H-1B petitions subject to the fiscal year 2018 cap on April 3, 2017. State Dept. Cable Calls for U.S. Embassies To Increase Scrutiny of Certain Visa Applicants – The cable orders U.S. embassies to identify “applicant populations warranting increased […]
Mid-March 2017 Immigration Update
Headlines President Trump Signs Revised ‘Travel Ban’ Executive Order; Federal District Court Blocks Ban Temporarily – President Donald Trump signed a revised “travel ban” executive order on March 6. USCIS To Suspend Premium Processing for H-1B Petitions Starting April 3 – The suspension may last up to 6 months. Have You Been Using E-Verify for […]
March 2017 Immigration Update
Headlines: DHS Issues Two New Immigration Enforcement Memos – Two new DHS memoranda call for strict enforcement of immigration laws, stepped-up detentions, and enhancement of expedited removal, among other things. TSA Notifies Travelers of Upcoming 2018 REAL ID Airport Enforcement – Effective January 22, 2018, TSA will start enforcing REAL ID requirements at airport security […]
Mid-February 2017 Immigration Update
Headlines Ninth Circuit Blocks Entry Ban: Recent Developments re Trump Administration’s Executive Order – This article summarizes the rapidly developing immigration-related actions of the Trump administration, and related counteractions. USCIS Will Accept Only New Forms After February 21, 2017 – New fees for USCIS forms took effect in December, and updated versions of those forms […]
Entry Ban: FAQs – Updated 2/14/2017
These updated FAQs reflect the situation with regard to President Trump’s executive order, “Protecting the Nation From Terrorist Attacks by Foreign Nations,” banning entry to the United States by individuals traveling from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen, as of 6 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on February 14, 2017. New developments continue […]
February 2017 Global Immigration Update
Feature Article: ELECTRONIC TRAVELER SYSTEMS: AN OVERVIEW – This article provides an overview of recent developments with respect to electronic traveler systems in several countries. Country Updates: BELGIUM – A new Act provides for an increased focus on integration efforts, including mandatory signing of a “newcomers statement” for long-term (greater than three months) residence for […]
Entry Ban: FAQs – Updated 02/10/2017
These updated FAQs reflect the situation with regard to President Trump’s executive order, “Protecting the Nation From Terrorist Attacks by Foreign Nations,” banning entry to the United States by individuals traveling from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen, as of 5 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on February 10, 2017. New developments continue […]
Entry Ban: Frequently Asked Questions – Updated 02/06/2017
These updated FAQs reflect the situation with regard to President Trump’s executive order, “Protecting the Nation From Terrorist Attacks by Foreign Nations,” banning entry to the United States by individuals traveling from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen, as of 1 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on February 6, 2017. New developments […]
Updated FAQ on Travel Ban
The following is an updated version of one adapted from frequently asked questions (FAQs) published by ABIL member firm Maggio & Kattar in response to President Trump’s executive order, “Protecting the Nation From Terrorist Attacks by Foreign Nations,” banning entry to the United States by individuals traveling from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and […]
February 2017 Immigration Update
Headlines: Trump Era Begins With Tumultuous First Week, Entry Ban – President Donald Trump’s tumultuous first week included a series of executive orders on immigration, refugees, and other issues. Among them was a temporary and immediate entry ban on people traveling to the United States from certain countries. Entry Ban: Frequently Asked Questions – Our […]
FAQ on Travel Ban
White House Executive Orders: U.S. Travel Ban FAQs Monday, January 30, 2017 – 9:15am Note: the information below is based on what we know as of the morning of January 30, 2017. New developments continue to rapidly change the implementation of President Trump’s Executive Order: “Protecting The Nation From Terrorist Attacks By Foreign Nation,” which includes a […]
Mid-January 2017 Immigration Update
Heading: Reading Tea Leaves: Requests From DHS Office By Trump Transition Team, Policy Statement, Cabinet Nominees Offer Hints– President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team has requested various documents and information from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that, along with a statement of policies on his website, may provide hints of what Mr. Trump might prioritize […]
January 2017 Immigration Update
Headlines: Most Previous Forms Accepted Until February 21, But Must Include New Fees – USCIS said it will accept most prior versions of forms until February 21, 2017, but all filings postmarked December 23 or later must include the new fees or they will be rejected. USCIS Urges H-2B Employers To Stop Identifying Returning Workers […]
Mid-December 2016 Immigration Update
Headlines: Graham, Durbin Introduce Bipartisan ‘Bridge Act’ for DACA Beneficiaries – Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) have introduced bipartisan legislation “to protect undocumented individuals should the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program be discontinued.” Congress Extends Four Immigration Programs Through April 28 – The law extends the EB-5 Regional Center Program, […]
December 2016 Global Immigration Update
Headlines: BELGIUM – Belgium has announced changes to existing “contribution to cover the administrative costs” rules and related proposals, and new 2017 salary thresholds for some fast-track work permits B. ITALY – The government has lifted translation and legalization requirements for certificates of coverage in work permit applications; a new investment visa category has been […]
December 2016 Immigration Update
Headlines: USCIS Publishes Long-Awaited Final Rule on Certain Employment-Based Visa Programs – USCIS has issued a final rule, effective January 17, 2017, to provide greater flexibility for high-skilled foreign professionals. The new regulations also codify current informal administrative guidance about statutory provisions added in 2000. USCIS Revises I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form – By January […]
