Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), chair of the House Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship, and Rep. John Curtis (R-Utah) have introduced the Equal Access to Green Cards for Legal Employment (“EAGLE”) Act. Its reforms focus on employment-based green cards, the H-1B visa program, and family-sponsored visas. » Read More
New Jersey Governor Moves to Ban Future ICE Detention Centers
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has signed a bill that bans state and county governments from entering or renewing existing contracts to house immigrants in detention centers. While the bill will allow current detentions at both the Bergen and Hudson county prisons for the remainders of the existing agreements, county officials indicated immediately after the law’s passage that it would be slowing down and eventually ending, immigrant detention. » Read More
Outdated immigration policies in the United States are causing a dent in the highly intellectual labor market. The top brains, especially from the Indian sub-continent, are getting tired of the long waits for approval of employment-based permanent residence (green cards). Indian talent is looking for more permanent options in Canada. » Read More
Immigrants Under Temporary Protected Status Denied Green Cards
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that immigrants who entered the United States without inspection and were later granted Temporary Protected Status (“TPS”) would not be able to apply to become permanent residents under most circumstances. » Read More
“90 Day Fiancé,” one of the popular shows on the TLC network, shows the journey of romance through the culture clashes and mainly the tedious process through the American immigration system. Showcasing the love story between an American citizen and a foreign national, the show portrays their journey, highlighting thought-provoking elements of comedy, shocking revelations, and skepticism. » Read More
New Hope to Immigrants Facing Deportation
On Thursday, April 29, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the Department of Homeland Security failed to properly notify an immigrant regarding his obligation to appear for a hearing in removal proceedings. In a 6-3 decision, the Court held that federal law mandates that enforcement authorities include all statutorily required information – including the charges against them and where and when they must appear in court – in a single document, entitled a “notice to appear,” rather than in multiple documents spread out over days, months, or even years. » Read More
New Jersey to Consider Pandemic Relief for Undocumented Immigrants
Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey has indicated he is reviewing and considering a plan to allocate approximately $40 million in federal funding to immigrants in New Jersey for relief related to the COVID-19 pandemic. » Read More
End of the 2019 Public Charge Rule
On Tuesday, March 9, 2021, the Biden administration asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the government’s appeals of court decisions against the “public charge” rule, which had expanded the ability of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to deny green cards to lower-income immigrants. » Read More
U.S. Consulates to Prioritize Immigrant Visa Backlog
The Biden administration announced this week that it was directing U.S. embassies and consulates a priority on the processing of fiancé(e) visas and permanent residence visas (better known as “green cards”). The announcement reverses course from the previous administration, which had halted most green card applications filed abroad. » Read More
