Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013

USCIS Blog: Entrepreneurs in Residence Program

USCIS Blog: Entrepreneurs in Residence Program USCIS has recently posted on its blog about expansion of the Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIR) program, which is intended to streamline current immigration systems for foreign entrepreneurs – specifically those with high-growth companies.


Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013

Immigration Reform: Summary of Second Day of Senate Immigration Bill Markup

Immigration Reform: Summary of Second Day of Senate Immigration Bill Markup The second day of the Senate Judiciary Committee markup on S. 744 focused on Title IV of the bill, the nonimmigrant visa provisions, including H-1B, L and student visas. Fifteen amendments were passed, out of the 25 offered. All but one of the amendments 

Read More…


Friday, May 3rd, 2013

Immigration Reform Update

Immigration Reform Update On Thursday, May 9th, the Senate Judiciary Committee will begin the process of debating and voting on amendments offered by Senators on the committee. The process will last from six to nine business days over the following two weeks. AILA asks that members submit their case examples relating to due process issues, 

Read More…


Friday, May 3rd, 2013

AAO Grants 212(h) Waiver, Finds Applicant Demonstrated Rehabilitation

AAO Grants 212(h) Waiver, Finds Applicant Demonstrated Rehabilitation In an unpublished decision, the AAO granted the 212(h) waiver, finding that, although the applicant had a criminal record in addition to his controlled substance crime, his last criminal conviction took place over 15 years ago.


Friday, May 3rd, 2013

US Court of Appeals Holds that District Court did not have Jurisdiction to Review USCIS Decision

US Court of Appeals Holds that District Court did not have Jurisdiction to Review USCIS Decision The Court upheld the district court’s determination that it did not have jurisdiction to review the decision of USCIS to deny the petitioner’s 212(i) waiver. The USCIS had discretionary authority to deny the Plaintiff-Appellant’s application for a waiver of 

Read More…


Friday, May 3rd, 2013

CBP to Begin Rollout of Automated Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record

CBP to Begin Rollout of Automated Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record CBP issued a press release announcing that the automation of Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record is now effective which will streamline the admissions process for individuals lawfully visiting the US and provides international visitors evidence they have been lawfully admitted to the US. The Social Security 

Read More…


Friday, May 3rd, 2013

Update on the E-2 Visa for Israeli Nationals

Update on the E-2 Visa for Israeli Nationals In June 2012, President Obama signed into law legislation that adds Israel to the list of countries eligible for E-2 treaty investor visas.   Israel nationals remain ineligible for E-2 status, however, due to delays in implementing the new law.  At the AILA Annual Conference in Nashville, David 

Read More…


Thursday, May 2nd, 2013

Supreme Court says Drug Distribution is Not Automatically an Aggravated Felony

Supreme Court says Drug Distribution is Not Automatically an Aggravated Felony The Supreme Court holds that if a noncitizen’s conviction for a marijuana distribution offense fails to establish that the offence involved either remuneration or more than a small amount of marijuana, then it is not an aggravated felony under the INA.


Monday, April 29th, 2013

En Banc Panel Resolved BALCA Dispute Over Prevailing Wage Documentation

En Banc Panel Resolved BALCA Dispute Over Prevailing Wage Documentation Resolving a panel dispute over whether an employer’s failure to submit a copy of its request for a prevailing wage determination (PWD) is a substantial failure to provide required documentation under 20 CFR §655.20(b), BALCA found that §656.40(a)’s explicit requirement that employers maintain the PWD issued by 

Read More…


Monday, April 29th, 2013

H-2B Prevailing Wage Methodology: Interim Final Rule (effective April 24, 2013)

H-2B Prevailing Wage Methodology: Interim Final Rule (effective April 24, 2013) DHS and DOL published a joint interim final rule revising how DOL provides the consultation that DHS has determined is necessary to adjudicate H-2B petitions by revising the methodology by with DOL calculates H-2B prevailing wages.  The rule also revises DHS rules to clarify that DHS is the 

Read More…