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Federal Judge in Oregon Temporarily Blocks Trump Administration from Preventing Immigrants Who Cannot Afford Health Care From Obtaining Visas

Immigrants Who Cannot Afford Health Care Can't Obtain Visas
Nov24

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. It has been a generally consistent pattern in U.S. immigration policy during the Trump administration – the Trump administration issues an anti-immigration policy, litigation is filed to challenge the policy, and a Federal court issues an injunction to stop the policy from being implemented.  As another example of this occurrence of “government by injunction”, a Federal judge in Oregon has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from preventing immigrants who cannot afford health care from obtaining visas.    On October 4, President Trump issued, “Presidential Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry of

November 24, 2019
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Ninth Circuit Upholds Preliminary Injunction Stopping Trump Administration From Preventing Certain Federal Funding of “Sanctuary Cities”

Ninth Circuit Upholds Funding Sanctuary Cities
Nov20

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. An often overlooked disagreement in current U.S. immigration policy is between the Trump administration and certain so-called “sanctuary cities” – generally cities that have laws, regulations, policies, or other practices that obstruct Federal immigration enforcement.  The Trump administration has sought to restrict certain Federal funding of “sanctuary cities”. However, on October 31, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a preliminary injunction stopping the Trump administration from preventing certain Federal funding of “sanctuary cities”. Specifically, in 2017, as a requirement of receiving a Federal police grant (under the Edward

November 20, 2019
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Trump Administration Extends Validity of Work Permits for El Salvadorans with Temporary Protected Status Through January 4, 2021

The United States Extends Work Permits for El Salvadorans
Nov10

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. It has become a regular occurrence for the Trump administration to announce a new restriction on immigrant rights.  Thus, it is noteworthy whenever the Trump administration makes an announcement that even somewhat expands immigrant rights.  Such is the case with the announcement on October 28 that the Trump administration has extended the validity of work permits for El Salvadorans with temporary protected status (so-called “TPS”) through January 4, 2021. As background, TPS allows certain immigrants to remain in the United States and work legally without deportation if during the

November 10, 2019
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Trump Administration Resumes “Medical Deferred Action” Program

Trump Resumes “Medical Deferred Action” Program
Oct23

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. Given the anti-immigration policies of the Trump administration, it has been the rare case when there is positive news coming from the Trump administration on an issue affecting immigrants.  Since Donald Trump became President, it seems that the only good news for immigrants is when a Federal court steps up to block a policy of the Trump administration. There are also very few instances of the Trump administration reversing course and changing its mind about an anti-immigration policy.  However, as an exception to the above, there is a favorable development for

October 23, 2019
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Federal Court Rules Trump Administration Violated Law with Visa Delays for Afghans And Iraqis Covered By SIV Program

Oct22

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. While the general subject of immigrant rights often results in significant political debate, certain groups of immigrants receive special protection under the law.  One such group of immigrants are certain Afghans and Iraqis covered by the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program. If you are covered by the SIV program, a law passed in 2013 requires that your visa application must be processed within 9 months.  However, on September 20, a Federal court ruled that the Trump administration violated this law with visa delays for certain Afghans and Iraqis

October 22, 2019
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H-1B and L-1 Petition Denials and Requests For Evidence Have Increased During Trump Administration

H-1B and L-1 Petition Denials & Requested Evidence Increased
Oct07

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. Much has been said about the hostile policies of the Trump administration toward undocumented immigrants.  While the issue probably receives less attention, the Trump administration also has not proceeded favorably with legal immigration alternatives.  Specifically, based on U.S. Citizenship and Investment Services (USCIS) updated data issued on August 7, H-1B and L-1 petition denials and requests for evidence (RFEs) have increased during the Trump administration. During the first 3 quarters of the current October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019 fiscal year (through June 30, 2019), USCIS

October 7, 2019
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DHS To Move $271 Million, Including $155 Million From Fema’s Disaster Relief Fund, To Support President Trump’s Immigration Enforcement Efforts

DHS To Move $271 Million, Including $155 Million From Fema
Oct05

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. Government positions on immigration issues are often expressed in ideological or political terms.  However, more practically, it is the authorization of funds that actually implements these government positions.  For example, “Build the Wall” is just a political argument; unless funds are actually authorized to build a wall at the southwest border, the government will not actually construct any wall.  The importance of funding authorization by the government is exemplified by the action of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to move $271 million, including $155 million from the Disaster

October 5, 2019
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USCIS Announces Publication of New Rule That Significantly Revises Eb-5 Program

Eb-5 Program Revised Significantly from USCIS New Rule
Jul26

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. Under the EB-5 program, immigrants who invest $500,000 in a project located in a “targeted employment area” (generally rural areas and areas with high levels of unemployment) (“TEA”) that creates 10 full-time jobs generally can qualify to receive a green card, and permanent lawful resident status, in the United States.  As the EB-5 program has been popular, the announcement in January, 2017 that new regulations would be issued concerning the EB-5 program drew significant attention.  After well over 2 years, the wait for these new regulations is finally over.  On July 23, U.S. Citizenship

July 26, 2019
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Trump Extends Rights of Liberian Immigrants To Stay In U.s For 1 Year

Trump Extends Rights of Liberian Immigrants For 1 Year
May01

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. It is not often that we associate President Trump with immigration rights.  However, yesterday, the President did act in favor of 1 group of immigrants.  President Trump extended the rights of Liberian immigrants who had protected Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) status to stay in the United States for an additional 1 year. Because of a civil war in Liberia, Liberian immigrants were first granted temporary protected status to live and work in the United States without deportation by President George H.W. Bush in 1991.  In 1999, when this temporary

May 1, 2019
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ICE Arrests More Than 280 At Texas Business in Largest Workplace Raid In A Decade

ICE Arrests 280 At Texas Business in Workplace Raid
Apr09

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. Can you imagine having a typical day at your workplace before being suddenly arrested for criminal conduct by the US government?  Probably not, but such was the fate of more than 280 employees of CVE Technology Group, a technology repair company, located in Allen, Texas (a suburb of Dallas), on April 3.  These employees were arrested by a unit of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for working in the United States unlawfully. According to Katrina W. Berger, a special agent in charge for ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations in Dallas, “Our focus is the criminal investigation. .

April 9, 2019
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