An additional 15,000 H-2B visas will be released in response to industry demand. The USCIS will begin accepting petitions on July 19, 2017, for the fiscal year which ends on September 30, 2017. Petitions will be accepted until the 15,000 visas run out or until September 15, 2017, whichever comes first. This is only
Trump Administration
State Department Guidance to U.S. Diplomatic Posts on Information Sharing Standards
By Jackson Lewis P.C. on
President Donald Trump’s March 6th revised Executive Order directs the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security, the Attorney General, and the Director of National Intelligence to review information sharing and develop uniform screening and vetting standards and procedures for visas and other immigration benefits. In June, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held this…
Travel Ban Does Not Apply to Grandparents and Other Close Relatives, Hawaii Court Rules
By Michael H. Neifach on
Posted in Trump Administration, US Immigration
Judge Derrick Watson in Honolulu has enjoined the federal government from using President Donald Trump’s partially reinstated travel ban to bar grandparents and other close relatives from entering the United States. He also has enjoined the government from banning refugees who are the beneficiaries of a sponsorship assurance from a resettlement agency.
When the U.S.…
Personal Electronic Devices Ban Lifted for Some Airlines under New DHS Security Requirements
By Forrest G. Read IV on
Posted in Trump Administration, US Immigration
DHS Secretary John Kelly has released new enhanced security requirements for screening of personal electronic devices and passengers and for explosives for approximately 2,000 daily flights to the U.S. from 280 airports in 105 countries. Airlines that meet the new requirements will not become subject to an expansion of the PED ban established in March.…
Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants May Have Longer Waits
President Donald Trump has issued an executive order striking the 80-percent/three-week goal for interviewing nonimmigrant visa applicants following submission of applications.
Since September 11, 2001, the State Department has given priority to security over quick visa adjudications. For many reasons, including heightened security, between 2001 and 2010, the U.S. share of the global tourism market…
New Guidance on Trump’s Revised Travel Ban Effective June 29
By Michael H. Neifach & Amy L. Peck on
New guidance explaining the criteria for visa applicants was issued by the Department of State to U.S. embassies and consulates late on June 28, 2017, according to reports. The guidance went into effect on June 29, at 8:00 p.m. EDT.
For our full article, please read here.
Supreme Court Allows Partial Effect to Trump Travel Ban, Will Review Case in October
It comes as no surprise that the U.S. Supreme Court will hear the travel ban case and will do so in early October. Meanwhile, the Court stayed lower court injunctions allowing President Donald Trump’s revised travel ban to go in effect, but only to the extent that it affects individuals with no bona fide connection…
Trump’s Cuba Policy Reverses Course Set by Obama
By Forrest G. Read IV on
Simpler and less expensive travel to Cuba by Americans is apparently short-lived, as more difficult and costly travel to the island nation appears forthcoming.
In a recent speech in Miami outlining his policies on Cuban travel and commercial ties with the island country, President Donald Trump said the U.S. is not severing ties with Cuba…
Trump Administration Rescinds DAPA Program
By Forrest G. Read IV & Michael H. Neifach on
Posted in DAPA / DACA, Trump Administration
DHS Secretary Kelly has rescinded DAPA (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanents). DAPA was meant to 1) provide undocumented parents of U.S. citizens or Green Card holders with a way to remain in the U.S. with work authorization and 2) expand DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) by encompassing a wider…
Travel Ban Case on Fast Track at Supreme Court
By Amy L. Peck & Michael H. Neifach on
Expectations are that the U.S. Supreme Court may decide soon whether to stay the injunctions blocking President Donald Trump’s travel ban. Meanwhile, the President has issued a Memorandum meant to amend and clarify the revised travel ban executive order.
The President declared that the 90-day travel ban and the 120-day ban on refugee admissions would …