In April, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the Biden administration would increase the number of non-agricultural H-2B temporary visas by 22,000. That number is added to the 66,000 available annually for U.S. employers, many of whom rely...
Biden announces new orders for immigration issues
President Joe Biden continues to move steadily, but carefully, addressing several of the most contentious immigration issues remaining from the Trump administration. The president is reversing dozens of actions intended to deport immigrants and close the country to...
New leadership takes swift action on immigration
Within hours of his inauguration, President Joe Biden signed several executive orders and introduced legislation to overhaul the nation’s immigration system. Biden moved to end President Trump’s ban on immigration from nations predominantly Muslim, and provide a path...
Petitioning for your family members to join you in the U.S.
Once you have established your residency in the United States, your thoughts have likely turned to bringing your family members over to join you. There are a couple of visa options which may be available to you. However, it’s important to keep in mind that there are...
Is it possible to get an H-1B visa?
The answer to this question is that it depends. In June 2020, President Trump’s Presidential Proclamation 10052 suspended entry of those (among other nonimmigrant visa classifications) who hold an H-1B work visa. As written, the president’s proclamation is set to...
U.S. travel and visa restrictions: An update
Country-Specific COVID-19 Travel Bans (Presidential Proclamations 9993 and 9996) In response to the pandemic, the United States currently has temporary travel restrictions that bar certain individuals who have been physically present in specific countries from...
What is the 60-day grace period?
While the current recession has caused millions of workers to lose their jobs, it has had an outsize impact on nonimmigrant workers. The ability of nonimmigrants to stay in the United States is often contingent on their employment. Without it, they could lose their...
Can I get a green card if I receive public benefits?
Many people who come to the United States hope to one day get a green card. Becoming a lawful permanent resident affords you the opportunity to live and work in the U.S. with few restrictions. It also allows you to bring certain family members into your new life....
The state of the H-2B visa program: What you should know
The H-2B program is among the most in-demand options out there for nonimmigrant worker visas. There is an annual cap of 66,000 H-2B visas per year and a lottery is conducted twice a year. Demand for H-2B visas frequently exceeds the annual allotment by 200 -300%. To...
Obtaining a K-1 visa: what to know
Getting married to the person you love is thrilling. But it can also be a time of stress. From planning a wedding to arranging the paperwork, you have many steps to complete. If your fiancé(e) is a citizen of the United States but you are not, then you may also need...