Maria del Carmen Ramos – Page 5 – The Immigration Bulletin

Recent Changes to the Trade Embargo May Facilitate Cuban Baseball Players Being Able to Legally Play for MLB Teams

Last week, President Obama authorized the elimination of a ban on Cuban access to the international banking system, which in turn would allow a Cuban national to make a living in the United States without requiring that person to emigrate. As a result, the door now is open for Cuban baseball players to legally play for a Major League Baseball (MLB) club while maintaining a permanent residence in Cuba. Continue reading “Recent Changes to the Trade Embargo May Facilitate Cuban Baseball Players Being Able to Legally Play for MLB Teams”

Immigration Reform: Where are we today?

On April 18, 2016, the United States Supreme Court will be on the verge of deciding an immigration case that could not only have a profound effect on our immigration policy but on the limits of a president’s powers, as well. Continue reading “Immigration Reform: Where are we today?”

Decision on STEM OPT Program is Delayed Until May 10, 2016

On January 23, 2016, Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle of the U.S. District Court for the District of Colombia granted the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s motion to extend the stay of the vacatur of the STEM OPT rule from February 12, 2016 to May 10, 2016. This decision is zealously being opposed by the Washington Alliance of Technology Workers. Continue reading “Decision on STEM OPT Program is Delayed Until May 10, 2016”

USCIS Processing Delays for H-1B Extensions Continue

As many have noticed, the processing of H-1B extensions at the California Service Center and Vermont Service Center continue to be extremely slow, and the backlog is causing significant hardships for those affected individuals. Continue reading “USCIS Processing Delays for H-1B Extensions Continue”

Breaking News: SCOTUS to Hear DOJ’s Appeal of the Fifth Circuit’s Decision in State of Texas v. U.S.

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it would hear the U.S. Department of Justice’s appeal of the Fifth Circuit’s 2-1 ruling upholding the preliminary injunction issued against President Barack Obama’s executive actions on immigration. Continue reading “Breaking News: SCOTUS to Hear DOJ’s Appeal of the Fifth Circuit’s Decision in State of Texas v. U.S.”

USCIS proposes new changes to Form I-9

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is at it again. On November 24, 2015, USCIS published a notice in the Federal Register of proposed changes to the Form I-9. The publication of the notice initiated a 60 day public comment period that will remain open until January 25, 2015. Continue reading “USCIS proposes new changes to Form I-9”

Planning Ahead: H-1Bs for FY2017

As a reminder to all U.S. employers, H-1B season is almost here! United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (“USCIS”) will start accepting new H-1B petitions for fiscal year 2017 on Friday, April 1, 2016. As such, employers should start immediately identifying current and future employees who will require sponsorship for new H-1B petitions. Continue reading “Planning Ahead: H-1Bs for FY2017”

EB-5 Legislative Update

Earlier this year, bipartisan legislation was introduced that would permanently authorize the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Pilot Program. Rather than pass the legislation, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a Continuing Resolution that included a provision to the extend the EB-5 program “as is” through December 11, 2015. Continue reading “EB-5 Legislative Update”

Fifth Circuit Ruling Upholds Injunction Against the President’s Executive Actions on Immigration

In a 2-1 ruling, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the preliminary injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen on the grounds that the lawsuit filed by a coalition of 26 states opposing the implementation of the President’s Executive Actions was likely to succeed at trial. See State of Texas v. U.S., No. 15-40238 (5th Cir. Nov. 9 2015). Continue reading “Fifth Circuit Ruling Upholds Injunction Against the President’s Executive Actions on Immigration”

Employers May Request Alternative Documents Following an Internal I-9 Audit

On October 23, the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC) issued a technical assistance letter (TAL) in response to an employer’s request regarding an employer’s potential liability if the employer requested additional documentation to verify an employee’s identify and ability to work in the U.S. following an internal audit of its Form I-9’s. Continue reading “Employers May Request Alternative Documents Following an Internal I-9 Audit”