Major League Baseball – The Immigration Bulletin

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

Maria del Carmen Ramos

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”

Avoiding an Immigration Nightmare: The Importance of Knowing When a Work Visa is Necessary

Maria del Carmen Ramos

On January 30, 2015, Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joel Peralta faced what many business immigration practitioners would refer to as an avoidable immigration nightmare. Continue reading “Avoiding an Immigration Nightmare: The Importance of Knowing When a Work Visa is Necessary”

Cuban Baseball Players Are No Longer Required to Obtain a License to Play Ball

Maria del Carmen Ramos

Earlier this month, Major League Baseball eliminated a burdensome requirement that made it difficult for MLB franchises to sign Cuban nationals. Until last month, a Cuban national wanting to sign with a MLB franchise as a free agent was required to obtain a specific license from the United States Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Continue reading “Cuban Baseball Players Are No Longer Required to Obtain a License to Play Ball”