In March, the U.S. Department of State suspended routine visa services at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world. Now, some embassies and consulates are reopening in phases. As part of the phased reopening, the State Department is beginning to process E-2...
Furlough canceled at USCIS, for now
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is primarily funded by immigration fees. When costs rise but fees do not, the agency experiences shortfalls. The same thing happens when there is a sudden drop in fees collected. Both of those appear to be...
USCIS plans to hike naturalization fees, remove subsidies this fall
If the U.S. government is trying to make it harder to become a citizen, it appears to be working. The coronavirus has created havoc at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It led to a sudden, dramatic loss of income. It will potentially put 70% of...
Judge certifies class action for asylum seekers turned back
Since President Trump took office in 2016, it has become much more complex for some immigrants to apply for asylum in the U.S. This is because Customs and Border Protection (CBP) began “metering” the number of people it would allow into ports of entry, especially...
Federal court: US must begin accepting new DACA applications
Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration’s efforts to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in 2017 had been illegal. The program, therefore, remains in place. Does that mean that new applicants should be admitted?...
9th Circuit strikes down rule forcing asylum seekers to try Mexico
Last July, the Trump administration issued a rule requiring people who need asylum to ask for it in Mexico before asking for it in the U.S. Only those who were turned down by Mexico would be allowed to apply for asylum here.The government rightly claimed that it can...
Suspension of new work visas: Who is affected?
Last week, President Trump announced that he will suspend all new work visas through the end of the year in order to address the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. For some, this will mean disappointment as their expected visas fall through. For others, there will...
New policy would make it harder for some to claim asylum
The Trump administration has issued a new proposed rule that would further limit access to asylum. If the rule goes into effect, would apply extra scrutiny to noncitizens who travel from Latin America to the Southern border of the United States. Primarily, the...
Supreme Court: Immigrants can bring CAT claims even in deportation
The Convention Against Torture (CAT), which refers to the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, can prevent the deportation of immigrants who can show it is more likely than not that they will be...
VAWA helps domestic abuse survivors leave abusers, stay in the US
Has your spouse, parent or child said that you could be deported for reporting family violence? That may not be true.When your immigration status depends on another person, you can be vulnerable to spousal or domestic violence. Abusers often claim they have impunity....