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On November 20, 2014, the Secretary of Homeland Security announced that he would be designating Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, effective November 21, 2014 through May 20, 2015. This is in large part due to the extensiveness and severity of the Ebola outbreak ravaging the region. Continue reading “Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone are Awarded Temporary Protected Status Designations”
The devil is in the details. J-1 program sponsors need to be aware of upcoming changes by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) to the J-1 program. Specifically, beginning January 5, 2015, J-1 program sponsors will be required to (i) undergo annual management reviews of their internal controls and of a statistically valid sampling of their J nonimmigrants files by independent auditors, and (ii) file annual reports with DOS. Continue reading “New J-1 Program Requirements Mandate Annual Audits and Reports to Department of State”
As of November 12, 2014, the National Visa Center (NVC) will cease accepting original civil documents in support of immigrant visa applications. Continue reading “NVC No Longer Accepting Original Civil Documents”
Late last week, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an in-country refugee/parole program for minors from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Continue reading “U.S. Rolls Out New Refugee/Parole Program for Certain Central American Children”
This week, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) released additional changes to its Reciprocity Table following President Barack Obama’s announcement of a new, reciprocal 10-year visa policy between the United States and China. Continue reading “Extensions of Visa Validity Periods for Chinese Nationals”
I still remember the moment I knew I wanted to be a lawyer. Continue reading “Channeling Our Inner Atticus Finch”
Tampa Bay is known for our world-famous beaches, tourist attractions, and family friendly neighborhoods. Lurking behind our picturesque community lies a little known secret. Continue reading “The Dangers Lurking in Our Backyard: Human Trafficking in Tampa Bay”
On Monday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that certain refinements to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) would be taking effect immediately. Continue reading “DHS Announces Enhancements to the Visa Waiver Program”
Last week, USCIS issued an interim policy memorandum (IPM) that provides guidance on legislation that would affect the T nonimmigrant status program and related T and U nonimmigrant adjustment of status applications. Continue reading “USCIS Releases Interim Policy Memorandum Regarding T-6 Category”
On October 29, 2014, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule that amends it regulations governing when USCIS will issue correspondence, notices of decisions, and documents evidencing lawful status in the United States to an applicant, petitioner, attorney, or accredited representative. Continue reading “DHS Publishes Final Rule on Notices of Decisions and Documents Evidencing Lawful Status And Revises Forms G-28 & G-28I”