New System, Same Result

 

Mechelle Zarou
Mechelle Zarou

The new “two-pronged” priority date system announced recently by the U.S. State Department appears, thus far, to promise more of the same for foreign nationals in historically over-subscribed visa categories. Continue reading “New System, Same Result”

Important Changes to Byzantine Cuban Assets Control Regulations

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

For over 50 years, the ability to travel to Cuba and do business or trade with Cuban nationals has been governed by a byzantine set of regulations administered by the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). Continue reading “Important Changes to Byzantine Cuban Assets Control Regulations”

Proposed New Rule May Save the STEM OPT Program

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

The optional practical training (OPT) program allows students here on an F-1 visa (who have either graduated or been pursuing a degree for 9 months) to work in their chosen field of study for one year. Continue reading “Proposed New Rule May Save the STEM OPT Program”

Bridging the Divide: Cuba Today

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

For the last half a century, the United States and Cuba have been separated by more than just the 247 miles between the Port of Miami and the Puerto de la Habana. Because of the economic embargo in place for much of that time, the two countries have been worlds apart. Continue reading “Bridging the Divide: Cuba Today”

USCIS and DOS Attempt to Clarify Increasingly Complex Visa Bulletin Situation

Mechelle Zarou
Mechelle Zarou

Each month, the Department of State (“DOS”) publishes current immigrant visa availability information in its Visa Bulletin. The Visa Bulletin indicates when statutorily limited visas are available to prospective immigrants based on their individual priority date. Continue reading “USCIS and DOS Attempt to Clarify Increasingly Complex Visa Bulletin Situation”