USCIS ANNOUNCES PUBLICATION OF NEW RULE THAT SIGNIFICANTLY REVISES EB-5 PROGRAM

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 and

July 26, 2019
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TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CUTS SERVICES FOR MIGRANT CHILDREN IN US SHELTERS

Jul22

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq.  Would it surprise you that the Trump administration has once again acted to restrict the rights of immigrants?  Probably not. Would it surprise you that in this instance the rights are those of immigrant children, and that the action by the Trump administration has been described as illegal?  Again, unfortunately, probably not, as there appears to be no limit to the reach of the policies of the Trump administration against immigrants. The above comments relate to the decision of the Trump administration to cut educational, recreational, and

July 22, 2019
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TRUMP ADMINISTRATION INTENDS TO END USE OF IN-PERSON INTERPRETERS AT CERTAIN IMMIGRATION HEARINGS

Jul19

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq.  At one time, the famous words associated with the Statue of Liberty – “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” – truly exemplified the attitude of the US government toward immigration.  However, under the Trump administration, these words would appear to describe the immigration policies of another country, as the Trump administration takes action on a regular basis to restrict the rights of immigrants. This point was evidenced again by the news that the Trump administration intends to end the use

July 19, 2019
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US VISAS NOW REQUIRE SOCIAL MEDIA INFORMATION FROM APPLICANTS

Jul17

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq.  It is good advice to be careful with what you post on your social media accounts because you do not want to be later embarrassed about it.  In the past, this advice has often been given to job applicants. Apparently, this advice should also now be given to foreigners seeking US visas.  Effective May 31, 2019, US visa applications will now require social media information from applicants. This new rule, outlined by the US State Department in March, 2018, requires visa applicants to disclose their social

July 17, 2019
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THIRD CIRCUIT RULES DRIVING UNDER INFLUENCE OF MARIJUANA IN VIOLATION OF PENNSYLVANIA LAW IS REMOVABLE OFFENSE

Jul15

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq.  In the face of Congress’ general inability to reach consensus and enact immigration legislation, and President Trump’s anti-immigration policies, immigrants have turned to the judiciary, in particular, the Federal courts, to protect immigrant rights.  However, the Federal courts cannot be viewed as a guaranteed safeguard for immigrant rights in each case. This point was made clear in the May 28 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in the case of Sambare v. Attorney General of the United States,

July 15, 2019
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USCIS ISSUES 2018 STATISTICAL ANNUAL REPORT

Jul13

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq.  It would be reasonable to think that an “annual report” would be issued on a yearly basis.  However, unfortunately, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) had not issued an annual report on its benefits and programs for roughly a decade.  Finally, on May 31, USCIS issued “2018 USCIS Statistical Annual Report”, covering the activities and operations of USCIS from fiscal year 2014 through fiscal year 2018. In releasing the 2018 Statistical Annual Report, USCIS Director L. Francis Cissna (who just announced his resignation, effective June

July 13, 2019
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FEDERAL JUDGE RULES TRUMP CANNOT USE CERTAIN DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FUNDS TO BUILD BORDER WALL

Jun17

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. One of the common occurrences concerning President Trump’s immigration plan has been a declaration by a Federal judge that a specific immigration policy of President Trump is unlawful.  One of the key components of President Trump’s immigration plan is his intent to construct a wall on the United States-Mexico border. However, again, on May 24, a Federal judge declared that a specific immigration policy of President Trump is unlawful – this time blocking the use of certain Department of Defense funds to build the United States-Mexico border wall. June 17, 2019

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PRESIDENT TRUMP PRESENTS NEW IMMIGRATION PLAN

Jun14

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. For most of the last 20 years, politicians in the United States have discussed the concept of “comprehensive immigration reform” – what most people think of as the adoption of a complete overhaul of the US immigration system, dealing with all of increased border security, illegal immigrants already in the country, future legal immigration rules, and other immigration law-related matters, all in 1 sweeping piece of legislation.  The fact that this issue is still being discussed in year 2019 evidences that no “comprehensive immigration reform” legislation has yet been

June 14, 2019
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FOURTH CIRCUIT JOINS NINTH CIRCUIT IN RULING THAT TRUMP’S EFFORTS TO RESCIND DACA WERE IMPROPER

Jun12

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an immigration program established by President Barack Obama in 2012 generally to permit undocumented immigrants who came to the United States before the age of 16 to avoid deportation and receive work permits for a period of 2 years, renewable upon good behavior.  President Donald Trump has sought to rescind DACA. On May 17, the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals joined the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals (which had ruled on November 6, 2018) in ruling that President Trump’s efforts

June 12, 2019
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NINTH CIRCUIT UPHOLDS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S “REMAIN IN MEXICO” PROGRAM

Jun10

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. In the face of continuing anti-immigration policies from the Trump administration, it has been the judicial branch of the Federal government (the courts) that immigrants have often relied upon to protect immigrant rights.  The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, in particular, has issued various decisions in defense of immigrant rights. However, even the Ninth Circuit is not a guarantor of a “pro-immigration” decision, as evidenced by its May 7 opinion upholding President Trump’s Migrant Protection Protocols program (known as the “Remain in Mexico” program). Based

June 10, 2019
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