President Trump’s Executive Order Suspending Immigration for 60 Days

Trump Suspends Immigration for 60 Days
May01

Witten by Bita Lak On April 22, 2020, President Trump signed an executive order temporarily suspending the entry of immigrants whose presence would be detrimental to the interests of the United States for an initial period of 60 days. This suspension may be extended depending on the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.   Due to the high rate of unemployment during the pandemic and ongoing economic uncertainty, President Trump’s reasoning provided in the order is to protect American jobs.  On this basis, the issuance of immigrant visas for certain family-based cases and employment-based cases are suspended as of April 23, 2020. 

May 1, 2020
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Non-Citizen Public Charge Ground for Inadmissibility

Non-Citizen Public Charge Ground for Inadmissibility
Apr28

Written by: Bita Lak The purpose of this article is to overview the grounds for inadmissibility with a focus on public charge. A non-citizen who wishes to come to the United States needs to satisfy the requirements for immigrant or non-immigrant classifications. Satisfying the requirements of these classifications do not guarantee admission to the United States. Some applicants may face grounds for inadmissibility upon arrival and could not be admitted to the United States.  Some non-citizens who already reside in the United States can also be considered inadmissible if they evaded inspection by a U.S. immigration official when they entered

April 28, 2020
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Student visa holders and the effect of COVID-19

Student Visa (F1) Holders and Affect of COVID-19
Apr20

Written by Taher Kameli The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic is a worldwide concern. Many businesses and individual lives have been affected by the spread of this virus. International students under F1 visa and non-immigrant visa workers, such as H-1B visa holders, are not exceptions to this situation. As of April 12, 2020, there were 554,849 total cases of coronavirus and 21,942 total deaths in the United States according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report. This pandemic affects current and prospective F1 students. Currently, most universities and colleges

April 20, 2020
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Ninth Circuit Supports Lifting Injunctions Against Trump Administration’s “Public Charge” Rule

Anti-immigration Policies Enforced by Trump Administration
Jan04

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. In many cases, the only obstacle to the various efforts by the Trump administration to enforce anti-immigration policies has been the Federal judiciary.  However, Federal courts certainly have not ruled in favor of immigrant rights in each case. As an example of a recent Federal court decision in favor of the Trump administration’s anti-immigration policies, the Ninth Circuit supports lifting injunctions against the Trump administration’s “public charge” rule. Announced in August and due to take effect on October 15, the Trump administration’s “public charge” rule would amend U.S. Department of

January 4, 2020
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Despite Requests from Trump Administration, Many State Departments of Motor Vehicles Have Not Turned Over Driver’s License Records to Census Bureau

Driver’s License Records not Turned Over by State Department
Nov08

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. It has often been said that the only governmental authority that has generally blocked the anti-immigration actions of the Trump administration has been the Federal judiciary.  In fact, there is another possible governmental authority that has in certain cases resisted the anti-immigration policies of the Trump administration – the states. As an example of such state opposition to the anti-immigration policies of the Trump administration, despite requests from the Trump administration, many state Departments of Motor Vehicles have not turned over driver’s license records to the Census Bureau. In June,

November 8, 2019
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New California Laws Extend Certain Rights For Immigrants

Immigrants Rights Extend in New California Laws
Nov02

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. While most immigration law in the United States is Federal law, the states sometimes will get involved and enact laws on immigration issues.  Especially in the face of the Trump administration generally issuing Federal anti-immigration policies, it is noteworthy today when the states enact laws to expand immigrant rights.  Such is the case with respect to California, as new California laws have extended certain rights for immigrants. California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed 3 new laws expanding immigrant rights.  First, Governor Newsom signed a law that allows undocumented

November 2, 2019
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Trump Administration is Considering Significant Increase in Fees to Appeal Immigration Cases

Trump is Increasing Fees to Appeal Immigration Cases
Oct21

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. It would not be a surprise to see that the Trump administration has simply decided to ban all immigration to the United States.  While such is not yet actually the case, it seems that, with its continuing policies that are adverse to immigrant rights, the Trump administration is moving in that direction.  As another potential example of the anti-immigration policies of the Trump administration, the Trump administration is considering a significant increase in the fees to appeal immigration cases. As reported by buzzfeednews.com on September 17, the Trump administration (from

October 21, 2019
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Ninth Circuit Recognizes Right of EB-5 Derivative Beneficiaries to Seek Review of I-829 Petition Denials

EB-5 D Beneficiaries Seek Review of I-829 Petition Denials
Oct18

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. The Federal judiciary has generally been the governmental branch that has done the most to protect immigrant rights since the election of President Trump.  As another example of a Federal court ruling in favor of immigrant rights, on September 4, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recognized the right of EB-5 derivative beneficiaries to seek review of I-829 petition denials. The case, Mu v. Barr, 2019 U.S. App. LEXIS 26668 (9th Cir. 2019), involved the derivative beneficiary (the daughter) of

October 18, 2019
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Supreme Court Grants Stay of Injunction Allowing Trump Administration’s New Asylum Restrictions to Take Effect

Trump Administration’s New Asylum Restrictions Take Effect
Oct16

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. While the Federal judiciary has generally been the principal obstacle to the anti-immigration efforts of the Trump administration, the Supreme Court has sometimes overruled lower Federal courts and upheld the anti-immigration policies of the Trump administration.  For example, the Supreme Court has upheld the “Trump travel ban” and allowed the use of Department of Defense funds to build the United States-Mexico border wall. As another example of the Supreme Court ruling in favor of the Trump administration on an immigration issue, on September 11, the Supreme Court granted a stay

October 16, 2019
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Important Dates Forthcoming Before End of Year 2019 for United States’ Residency by Investment Program

Residency by Investment Program EB-5 In United States
Oct14

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. Would you like to be a resident of the United States?  The United States, often referred to as the “land of opportunity”, is considered an attractive destination for many immigrants, with its strong economy, high level of education, health care, and standard of living, political freedoms, and diverse culture.  If you are interested in residing in the United States, you should note that important dates will be forthcoming before the end of year 2019 for the United States’ residency by investment program (known as the “EB-5 program”). On July

October 14, 2019
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