Your resource for all things immigration.
During its most recent stakeholders teleconference, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) reminded participants that regional center reports for 2015 Fiscal Year were due on October 1, 2015, and must be filed by no later than December 29, 2015. USCIS recommended that regional centers complete all fields on Form I-924A, and timely file the required reports. Continue reading “EB-5 Regional Center Annual Reports are Due by December 29, 2015”
Did you know that unlike most criminal defendants, the unaccompanied minors coming into this country don’t have a right to an attorney? Although many of the unaccompanied minors may be eligible for asylum or visas for victims of trafficking or other criminal activity, few may get that relief without competent counsel, which means they will be returned to countries where they are not safe. Continue reading “The Current Status of the Unaccompanied Children at our Border”
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”
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”
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”
Earlier this month, USCIS, in coordination with the Department of State (“DOS”), announced that it was revising the procedures for determining visa availability for applicants waiting to file for employment-based or family-sponsored preference adjustment of status applications. Continue reading “Not So Fast! Department of State Releases Updated Visa Bulletin for October 2015”
Effective September 24, 2015, USCIS will suspend final adjudication of employment-based Adjustment of Status Applications. Continue reading “USCIS Suspends Final Adjudication of Employment-Based Adjustment Applications Until October 1, 2015”
Despite the fact that parts of President Obama’s executive actions on immigration currently are being challenged in court, the administration is moving forward with its promise to modernize our antiquated immigration system. Continue reading “Moving Into the 21st Century”
When I was young, someone once asked me who my sports hero was. Without hesitation, I responded: Roberto Clemente. Considering the fact that no other Puerto Rican athlete had achieved the same level of admiration, respect, and love, the answer was easily accepted. Continue reading “Giving Your All”
A recent decision by the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer – United States of America V. Hartmann Studios, Inc. – has resulted in more than $600,000 in civil penalties for the employer/defendant. The $600,000 actually represents a decrease in the original penalty of $812,665.25. Continue reading “I-9 Violations Result in Harsh Consequences”