Skilled Workers, Professionals and Other Workers May Qualify for an EB-3 Visa Individuals seeking to live and work in the United States face an intimidating array of choices regarding the visas that authorize an individual to do so. There are two main classes of visas. The first set is intended for immigrants seeking to permanently put down roots in the United States. There are five main classes of this type of visa for permanent workers. The other set of visas is intended for individuals seeking to live and work in the U.S. on a temporary basis. Visas of this type are extremely numerous with at least 15-20 different classes available. Read more
Trump Administration Efforts to Impose Quotas on Immigration Judges Casts Doubt on Fairness of Immigration Court Proceedings Read More
How a Proposed Change in Student Visa Requirements Will Impact American Colleges and Universities Read More
Administration Considers Expanding the Deportation Powers of the Department of Homeland Security Read More
EB-5 Visa Regional Center Program Extended Through September 2017 On May 5, 2017 President Trump approved the bipartisan Congressional spending bill that will continue to fund the U.S. government through September 30, 2017. Despite concerns over a potential termination or amendment of the popular EB-5 Visa Regional Center Program, Congress has agreed to extend the program cleanly through the conclusion of the 2017 fiscal year. Despite significant opposition from prominent Republican and Democratic legislators, Congress agreed to extend the program without any changes through September though challenges still remain for the EB-5 visa program even during that period. Read more
Following Indications that Courthouse Immigration Raids will Continue, State Chief Justices Speak Out Most observers expected a more aggressive approach to immigration enforcement from the Drumpf administration. However, many immigrants and observers have been nevertheless been shocked by some of these tactics. One of the more controversial gambits employed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are courthouse raids on undocumented immigrants. In many instances, the undocumented immigrants are coming to the courthouse for ICE-mandated check-ins or other unrelated proceedings. Read more
As Uncertainty Surrounds H-1B Visas, Businesses and Individuals May Consider L-1 or EB-5 Visas, Respectively The H-1B visa has developed into one of the high-profile immigration solutions employed by businesses. In essence, the H-1B visa permits greater labor flexibility since companies can seek workers from abroad to fill certain job roles when an American is unable to perform the job. An array of rules and regulations surround this process and interested companies will typically need to seek labor certification from the Department of Labor. Read more
“Final” Temporary EB-5 Extension Expected as April Reauthorization Deadline Approaches The EB-5 Visa and the regional center visa program have experienced some turbulent times over the past several years. Despite attracting little attention for the first two decades of its existence, the EB-5 visa program exploded onto the scene following the Great Recession. The rapid growth of the program was made possible due to two converging trends. First, real estate developers doing business in the United States sought an alternate source of capital as traditional investment and funding sources dried up. Second, foreign nationals sought a relatively safe place they could store their money while also providing greater opportunities for their children. Read more