Insight, News, and Strategy on Immigration Matters Around the World
Romania will be the 43rd country to become a member of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The new designation made by Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas in conjunction with Secretary of State Antony Blinken will go into effect on or around March 31, 2025.
The VWP allows citizens or nationals of participating countries…
President-Elect Donald Trump is promising sweeping changes to the U.S. immigration system, with a focus on ramping up enforcement and the removal of undocumented immigrants. We can look to his first term, along with his campaign platform, to anticipate upcoming immigration action.
We expect President Trump will take swift action in the following areas through…
Some colleges and universities, out of an abundance of caution, are advising their foreign national students and staff who are traveling abroad for winter break to consider returning before President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025.
It is not possible to predict what will happen with any certainty, but President Trump has spoken about…
In October, DHS announced that Lebanese nationals would be eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). On Nov. 27, 2024, that became official. TPS has been granted for 18 months, from Nov. 27, 2024, through May 27, 2026.
Individuals who are otherwise eligible must have been residing in the United States since Oct. 16, 2024, and…
Americans traveling to the UK as tourists or business visitors are generally visa-exempt. Starting on Jan. 8, 2025, visa-exempt Americans traveling to the UK will need to use the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme prior to travel. Americans will be able to apply for ETA starting on Nov. 27, 2024.
Like the U.S.
U.S. law has long provided a border search exception to the Fourth Amendment warrant or probable cause requirement, allowing federal agents to search people, and their electronic devices, at border crossings without a warrant or probable cause. The scope of the exception may be narrowing under increased court scrutiny as modern cell phones provide what…
In good news, the State Department has announced the roll-out of its new online passport renewal system. Eligible individuals can renew their 10-year passports online without having to mail in any documentation.
Be sure to plan ahead if you are using the online service because only routine service is available – no expedited processing.
Although…
Qatar will join the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). It will be the 42nd member of the VWP and the first Gulf country to qualify. The VWP allows citizens or nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa.
No…
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is an enforcement agency that does much more than deal with immigration. This summer, CBP made the largest fentanyl seizure in its history – approximately 4 million blue fentanyl pills weighing more than 1,000 pounds.
The fentanyl was found at the Port of Lukeville in Arizona, when CBP stopped a…
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has proposed delaying enforcement of the REAL ID requirement for passengers of domestic airlines to give travelers two more years to update to REAL ID-compliant identifications. The proposal is open for comments until Oct. 15, 2024.
The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress based on the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations.
