Announcement: Foreign Students No Longer Able to Engage in Full-Time Online Course Work for Fall Semester 2020

July 9, 2020

The United States Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) has announced a new policy related to foreign students studying in the United States full-time online as a result of many academic institutions shifting to virtual classes because of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to DHS, all foreign students including those from Vietnam,

U.S. Supreme Court Allows DACA to Stand

July 6, 2020

On June 18th, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) acted arbitrarily and capriciously when it rescinded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”) and ordered DACA to stand. The DACA program, an Obama administration policy which provides deferred action on removal proceedings and

Trump’s Amended Immigration Ban Exempts Children of U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents

June 29, 2020

Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s June 22nd proclamation amending a previous Executive Order (“EO”) restricting immigration to certain immigrant and non-immigrant visa applicants, an exemption has been granted to children of U.S. citizens and permanent residents. The previous EO issued on April 22nd formally known as the “Proclamation Suspending Entry

Actions to Take When a Client’s I-526 Petition Enters Processing Limbo

June 24, 2020

EB-5 investors and projects continue to contend with lengthy delays in the processing of I-526 Petitions. Average processing times have steadily increased over the past few years, in stark contrast to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) new Investor Program Office (“IPO”) statements that it would reverse the trend

Trump Extends Immigration Ban to Certain Non-Immigrant Visa Applicants

June 23, 2020

President Donald Trump today amended a previously signed executive order (EO) to expand the current immigration ban to include certain nonimmigrant visa applicants. The updated EO, formally titled “Proclamation Suspending the Entry of Immigrants Who Pose Risks to the U.S. Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the COVID-19 Outbreak,”

USCIS Updates Policy Manual on Untimely Filed Extensions and Change of Status Requests

January 31, 2024

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has updated its Policy Manual concerning untimely filed extensions of stay and change of status requests. Generally, certain foreign nationals who are admitted to the United States as nonimmigrants for a specific period of time may file a Form I-539, Application to

Enterline and Partners Successfully Overcomes Lengthy 221g Refusal in Manila

January 25, 2024

In late 2021, our client (Joe), a U.S. citizen married his Philippines citizen wife (Jane) through an online marriage under the laws of the State of Utah. Following the marriage, Joe filed a Form I-130 Petition for Jane. After completing the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) adjudication process

What Company Relationships are Required for an L-1A Employee?

January 23, 2024

Quick Summary: L-1A Visa and Company Relationship Requirements Question Answer What is the L-1A visa? A nonimmigrant visa for executives and managers being transferred within a multinational organization Who files the petition? The U.S. company with a qualifying relationship to the foreign company How many types of qualifying relationships exist?

Lawful Permanent Residents and Other Foreign Nationals of the United States Must Always Update Their Address if They Move

January 16, 2024

Quick Summary: The USCIS Address Update Requirement Question Answer Who must update their address with USCIS? All LPRs and foreign nationals lawfully residing in the U.S. Deadline after moving? Within 10 days of moving to a new address Legal basis? INA Section 265 (Immigration and Nationality Act) Traditional form? Form

USCIS Announces Inflation Adjustment to Premium Processing Fees

January 5, 2024

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) will increase Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing filing fees. After leaving these fees unchanged for three (3) years, the charges for certain premium processing cases will increase from $1500 to $1685, $1750 to $1965, and $2500 to $2805, depending on the

DOS Extends Nonimmigrant Visa Interview Waivers Through 2024

December 27, 2023

The United States Department of State (“DOS”) has consular officers’ authority to waive in-person interviews for certain nonimmigrant visas from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024. The announcement, which was made on December 21, 2023 replaces the previous policy extending nonimmigrant visa waivers through December 31, 2023 and allows

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