According to Chinese government data, the number of Chinese students studying in the United States rose from fewer than 1 million in 2000 to more than 6 million in 2017. The number of these students who are returning home to China has grown at close to the same rate. In 2000, hardly any returned, but,
Meredith K. Stewart
Plans to Shuffle Agents from Canadian to Mexican Border Raises Fear of Delays at Northern Border
The Department of Homeland Security has announced plans to transfer more than 700 border agents from the 120 ports of entry at the Northern (Canadian) border to the Southern (Mexican) border. The purpose is to bolster the number of agents available to help with asylum seekers.
Members of the Congressional Northern Border Caucus (NBC) oppose…
DHS Moves to Rescind H-4 EAD Rule for Spouses of H-1B Workers
DHS has made the first move to rescind the H-4 EAD Rule: sending the proposed rule to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review.
The H-4 EAD Rule provides work authorization for spouses of certain H-1B workers who are in the green card process.
OMB review is the first step before publication in…
Have Unpaid Taxes? IRS Warns May Lose U.S. Passport
The IRS is reminding taxpayers to pay their taxes or face possible loss of their U.S. passports.
In partnership with the IRS, the Department of State (DOS) may deny passport applications, renewals, or even revoke passports of individuals with “seriously delinquent tax debts.” This is based on a section of an infrastructure bill, the Fixing…
L Intracompany Transfers Pilot Program for Canadian Citizens
USCIS and CPB at the Blaine, Washington, Port of Entry (POE) have formally announced that from April 30, 2018, until October 31, 2018, the agencies jointly will implement a pilot program for Canadian citizens seeking entry in L status pursuant to NAFTA.
L-1 admission is for intracompany transfers into the U.S. of managers, executives, and …
ALERT: Possible Change in Processing of L-1 NAFTA Applications
According to CBP personnel, a pilot program is being developed that would eliminate “instant” border adjudications of L-1 NAFTA applications. The pilot program is expected to be introduced at the Blaine, Washington port of entry. At this time, processes and procedures are still under review and consideration but it appears that the current CBP border…
Government Shutdown Is Over, For Now
Congress reached agreement and voted to end the government shutdown at least until February 8, 2018.
In case another impasse occurs, this is how a federal government shutdown would affect immigration.
Department of Labor (DOL)
The Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) will stop processing all applications, and its personnel will not be available to…
International Entrepreneur Rule Survives, For Now
The Trump Administration rule delaying the International Entrepreneur Rule (IER) until March 14, 2018, had been implemented without following the necessary Administrative Procedures Act (APA) Notice and Comment Period regulations and was therefore illegal, a federal court has found.
The Administration has not yet commented on the court’s ruling, but likely will appeal the decision.…
Federal Immigration Resources Assisting in Hurricane Response in Texas
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is deploying staff and equipment for search and rescue efforts and to work at local, state, and federal emergency operations centers in Texas in response to Hurricane Harvey.
Hurricane Harvey hit Texas just as the state’s plan to outlaw sanctuary cities is about to go into effect. Texas…
Restrictions on Personal Electronic Devices, including Laptops, on Flights from 10 Airports
No personal electronic devices (PEDs) larger than a cellphone or smartphone, such as a laptop computer or e-reader, can be carried into the cabin of airplanes flying directly to the U.S. from 10 airports in the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey, the DHS and TSA announced on March 21, 2017.
Following are the airports:…