The mixed results of their visa programs aimed at attracting foreign investors have some European countries reconsidering, even as the U.S. program continues. In 2022, the United States reauthorized its EB-5 Immigrant...more
Italy and Japan have joined the list of countries making it possible for employees to spend time abroad on digital nomad visas (DNVs). These visas give individuals the ability to work abroad remotely and temporarily while...more
The Brazilian government allows U.S. citizens to enter Brazil as visitors for business or pleasure for up to 90 days without a visa. This has been good for tourism, but the lack of reciprocity rankles, as Brazilians must...more
The launch date of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) has been delayed to 2024, as reflected on the official ETIAS website. The date of entry into operation of ETIAS is not yet known, but it is...more
As a part of various USCIS immigration applications, the U.S. government requires the applicants’ biometrics to be collected in order to conduct relevant background checks and services prior to granting the requested...more
In December 2021, Congressional Democrats tried to include immigration reforms in the Build Back Better Act (BBBA). Some of the proposals would have helped unauthorized immigrants by providing those eligible with parole and...more
The average American may not know that some of the largest real estate developments in recent history were completed by foreign real estate companies, such as Hong Kong- and London-based Swire Properties, Toronto-based Oxford...more
In Washington federal court, H-4 and L-2 spouses are continuing their fight to end the delays in approving visa extensions and work authorization – some of which are taking over a year to adjudicate. The plaintiffs in...more
On March 1, 2021, USCIS will be returning to the 2008 version of the naturalization civics test. This change is a response to President Joe Biden’s Executive Order, “Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration System,” that...more
On August 12, 2020, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit limited the nationwide injunction on the Department of Homeland Security’s Public Charge Rule to three states: Connecticut, New York, and Vermont.
Since...more
The Trump Administration is turning its attention to birth tourism again. President Trump was reportedly considering trying to end the practice with an executive order or by way of a constitutional challenge. But...more
October 1, 2020, is the REAL ID deadline, and most people will not be able to board even a domestic air flight in the U.S. without either a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or a passport.
Congress passed the REAL ID Act...more
USCIS has published its new final rule significantly changing the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program to address concerns about fraud, abuse, and national security risks. The new regulations will become effective on November 21,...more
In June 2018, Congress held a hearing on “Citizenship for Sale: Oversight of the EB-5 Investor Visa Program.” The current EB-5 program allows wealthy individuals to apply for and obtain green cards by investing anywhere from...more
Although there have been discussions for some time that the Trump Administration would change the rules regarding Optional Practical Training (OPT), OPT did not show up in the most recent “regulatory agenda.”
Nevertheless,...more
USCIS received 190,098 H-1B petitions during the first week of April. The cap has been reached every year for the past six years but the total is down from last year’s total of 199,000. The Service conducted its...more
In May, the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for Haitians was extended for six months, until January 22, 2018. Generally extended in 18-month intervals, then-Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly had extended the...more
In line with its focus on compliance and enforcement of existing laws, the Trump Administration has announced measures to “deter and detect H-1B visa fraud and abuse” and to protect American workers just as thousands of H-1B...more