Immigration Blog

Alexander J. Segal's picture

Troubling Move By Trump Administration to Decertify Immigration Judge Union

In what I find to be troubling news, Fox News reports that the Trump Administration is moving to decertify the National Association of Immigration Judges (NAIJ). Although the move to decertify the immigration judge’s union involves technical labor law issues, the administration’s message is clear, and its effect would be deleterious for noncitizens in removal proceedings and the attorneys who represent them.

Alexander J. Segal's picture

Visa Bulletin for August 2019

On July 5, 2019 The U.S. Department of State (DOS) released its monthly Visa Bulletin August 2019 – the penultimate month of FY 2019. The August 2019 Visa Bulletin contains the dates for filing and application final action dates for beneficiaries of approved immigrant visa petitions in the family-sponsored and employment-based preference categories. On July 16, 2019, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that most family-sponsored adjustment of status applicants must rely upon the August 2019 Visa Bulletin’s dates for filing to determine eligibility to file for adjustment during the month, while all employment-based adjustment of status applicants must use the less favorable final action dates.

Alexander J. Segal's picture

USCIS Publishes Comprehensive New EB5 Rule

On July 24, 2019, the United States Citizenship and immigration Services (USCIS) published its new final rule on the EB5 immigrant investor program, titled “EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Modernization..” The rules, which take effect on November 21, 2019, represent arguably the most significant changes to the EB5 program since its inception in 1993.

Melsida Asatrian's picture

USCIS Announces Intent to Terminate the FWVP and Haitian Family Reunification Parole Programs

On August 2, 2019, the USCIS announced its intention to terminate the Flipino World War II Veterans Parole program and the Haitian Family Reunification Parole program.

Eliza Grinberg's picture

USCIS Issues Reminder About New Form I-129 Rejection Policies

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a reminder that on August 5, 2019, it has implemented a policy rejecting Form I-129 petitions that do not include the petitioner’s or applicant’s name and primary U.S. office address on Part 1 of the form.

Alexander J. Segal's picture

Senate Confirms Mark Esper as Secretary of Defense

On July 23, 2019, the U.S. Senate confirmed Mark Esper as the new Secretary of Defense by a vote of 90-8. Esper had been serving as the Acting Secretary of Defense since June 23, 2019. He had previously served as Secretary of the Army since November 20, 2017. The Defense Department had been without a Senate-confirmed Secretary since former Secretary James Mattis departed on December 31, 2018.

Melsida Asatrian's picture

President Trump Nominates Eugene Scalia to be Next Secretary of Labor

On July 19, 2019, Alexander Acosta resigned as the Secretary of Labor, leaving Deputy Secretary Patrick Pizzella as the Acting Secretary of Labor. One day earlier, President Donald Trump announced that he would nominate Eugene Scalia to be the next Secretary of Labor.

Eliza Grinberg's picture

Delays in Processing Intercountry Adoptions From South Africa

On June 28, 2019, the U.S. Department of State advised prospective adoptive parents and adoption service providers of potential delays in the processing time to complete intercountry adoptions from South Africa. The cause for delay is the South African Department of Home Affairs’ changing its process on how Hague Convention adoptions are noted on birth certificates.

Eliza Grinberg's picture

How to Stay Up to Date With E-Verify News

On July 16, 2019, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it was discontinuing its E-Verify Listens public contact channel.

Melsida Asatrian's picture

USCIS Closes Ciudad Juarez Field Office

On June 30, 2019, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) permanently closed its field office in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.

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