Blog

Miguel A. Manna Raleigh Author

Congress Considers Removing Country Caps for Employment-Based Immigrant Visas and Proposes Changes to H-1B Visa Program

On July 10, 2019, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1044, the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2019, by a vote of 365 to 65. The bill is intended to reduce lengthy immigrant visa (green card) wait times by eliminating per-country caps for employment-based green cards. In addition, senators have reportedly reached an agreement on a version of a companion bill (S. 386) in the U.S. Senate that presently includes an amendment imposing tighter restrictions on recruitment and creating new reporting requirements for H-1B visa sponsors.

Tieranny L. Cutler Raleigh Author

Andrea C. Davis Atlanta Author

Melissa Manna Raleigh Author

The Travel Ban Is in Effect, DOS and DHS Release FAQs to Address Concerns

On June 29, 2017, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the implementation of Executive Order 13780 (EO-2), which went into effect on June 29, 2017, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern time (ET) after the Supreme Court’s recent opinion.

Tina H. Ho Washington D.C. Author

President Trump Issues Revised Executive Order Suspending Admission for Certain Foreign Nationals from Six Designated Countries

On March 6, 2017, President Trump signed a revised Executive Order, Protecting The Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into The United States, that suspends admission to the United States for certain foreign nationals from the following six designated countries for 90 days: Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.

Mapping the Impact From USCIS’s Surprise Suspension of H-1B Premium Processing

On March 3, 2017, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) unexpectedly announced that it will temporarily suspend its premium processing service for all H-1B petitions received on or after April 3, 2017. The premium processing program allows a petitioner to receive a decision on its case within 15 calendar days upon payment of an additional government filing fee to USCIS.

Whitney Brownlow Raleigh
Indianapolis Author

UPDATE: Ninth Circuit Upholds TRO Halting President Trump’s Immigration Travel Ban

On Thursday, February 9, 2017, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) emergency motion for a stay in a case that suspended implementation of certain sections of an executive order (EO) issued by President Donald Trump restricting admission to the United States of foreign nationals from designated countries and certain refugees.

UPDATE: Federal Judge Issues Order Temporarily Halting President Trump’s Immigration Travel Ban

On Friday, February 3, 2017, U.S. District Judge James L. Robart granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) against defendants, President Donald Trump, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), DHS Secretary John F. Kelly, and Acting U.S. Secretary of State Thomas A. Shannon, Jr.

UPDATE: FAQs on the Impact of the Executive Order Suspending Admission to the U.S. of Foreign Nationals From Certain Designated Countries

Following is updated guidance related to President Donald Trump’s Executive Order (“EO”), “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States,” issued January 27, 2017. These updates are based upon information available as of February 3, 2017.

FAQs on the Impact of the Executive Order Suspending Admission to the U.S. of Foreign Nationals From Certain Designated Countries

On January 27, 2017, President Donald Trump issued an executive order, “Protecting The Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into The United States,” which suspended admission to the United States of foreign nationals from the following countries for a period of at least 90 days: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. The executive order also suspended implementation of the Visa Interview Waiver Program (which is also known as drop-box). This order was effective immediately upon issuance. Several issues related to the order still require clarification.