The pandemic continues to impact Latin America’s economies, given global supply chain disruption and reduced trade and tourism. This uncertain economic state in some countries has increased social unrest, including political changes and overall governance issues. Against this backdrop, some Latin American investors and companies increasingly are turning to the United States, attracted to its […]
Read more...21 August 2023
The September 2023 Visa Bulletin has been released by the U.S. Department of State and shows little movement from last month. Quick Hits The EB-2 final action date for all countries except China and India will advance by three months, to July 1, 2022. The EB-3 final action date for China will advance by three months, to September 1, […]
Read more...10 August 2023
The United States Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) has announced an expansion of the Optional Practical Training (“OPT”) program, adding eight new fields of study to a program that permits international graduates from U.S. colleges and universities to spend up to an additional 24-months of training with domestic employers. What is OPT? OPT is temporary employment directly […]
Read more...19 July 2023
Calling the USCIS Contact Center to reschedule most biometrics appointments is no longer necessary. As part of its effort to streamline services, USCIS launched a new self-service biometrics appointment rescheduling tool. The new tool can be used for both paper-filed and on-line-filed benefit requests. To use the service, an individual must first create a USCIS […]
Read more...13 July 2023
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently provided further guidance on eligibility criteria for the International Entrepreneur Parole program (IEP). Background The IEP rule was promulgated at the end of the Obama administration. However, the Trump administration tried to remove the regulation and blocked its implementation by delaying the effective date of the rule. A […]
Read more...23 June 2023
The “DIGNIDAD (Dignity) Act” represents one of the most sweeping attempts to modify the immigration system that has been proposed in years. What is the bill’s primary path to legal status for undocumented immigrants? The bill creates a brand new “Dignity” and “Redemption” Program available to any undocumented immigrant who has been in the United […]
Read more...15 June 2023
Step 1: If you are from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Ukraine or Venezuela, and you have not irregularly entered Panama (through the Darién) or Mexico: go to step 2. If not, go to step 3. Step 2: If you have people in the U.S. willing to sponsor you who make enough money, and have cash for […]
Read more...25 May 2023
Title 42 – a policy that has allowed the U.S. government to expel border-crossers without giving them a chance to seek asylum – is expected to officially sunset next week. Federal courts prevented the Biden administration from lifting the “public health” order until it lifted the nationwide state of public health emergency. It’s doing so […]
Read more...15 May 2023
Last week, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the launch of CeBONDS, a new system people can use to pay bonds and secure the release of individuals in immigration detention. The new system allows people paying the bond—referred to as obligors—to go through most of the process online without having to make the payment […]
Read more...29 April 2023
The United States and Canada announced the expansion of their Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) last week during President Biden’s visit to Canada. Under U.S. law, a so-called “Safe Third Country” agreement allows the United States to deport asylum seekers to a third country without allowing them to apply for asylum. The move was kept […]
Read more...15 April 2023
