Ask Garry
Trump Bans Work Visas for The Remainder of 2020
President Trump has issued a new executive order that prohibits visa issuance for certain classes of employment visas. The affected classes are H-1B, H-2B, some categories of J-1, and L-1. The ban also includes dependent family members who could accompany the spouse with the primary visa classification, such as a spouse and unmarried minor children.…
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A Lifeline to Dreamers: Supreme Court Extends DACA Protections
The US Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, extended a reprieve to recipients of benefits under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA). Although they did not find President Trump’s political decision to end the program outside the bounds of his power as President, or to make it permanent for those who have it,…
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President Trump, Politics and the Limits of Executive Power
President Trump recently announced that he would halt immigration to the US, citing the COVID-19 pandemic and rampant unemployment caused by the shutdown of the US economy in response to the pandemic. Specifically, he said: “In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our…
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Coronavirus and Immigration | Ask Garry
The World Health Organization has declared the Coronavirus as a “public health emergency of international concern.” How does this tragic outbreak affect US immigration? USCIS has closed its international offices in Beijing and Ghuangzhou, China. All appointments will be rescheduled. Additionally, USCIS has encouraged everyone who feels sick or has started manifesting symptoms of illness…
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How Public Charge Policy Affects Immigration | Ask Garry
Last year, USCIS announced proposed policy changes relating to the requirement that a person seeking admission to the U.S. is not likely to become a public charge. A public charge is someone who is dependent on public resources while in the U.S., such as welfare benefits. A person seeking admission is anyone seeking to obtain…
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Ask Garry: Why Are The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Fees Going Up?
USCIS has announced a change in the fees it charges for the services it provides. The announcement became official November 14th, but is subject to comments from the public for over 30 days. The rate change is expected to go into effect in December 2019, while the comment period is still running. Here is…
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Ask Garry: Why Are H-1B Petition Denials Rising?
According to a report from the National Foundation for American Policy, October 2019, it is now four times more likely that an H-1B petition will be denied by USCIS. Of most concern is the fact that the law on H-1Bs has not changed. If the law is the same, what is it that accounts for…
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Introduction to the Employment Creation Visa (EB-5)
High net worth individuals who would like to immigrate to the US on a permanent basis may qualify for permanent resident status through investment. The program that allows for this is called the EB-5, or the Employment Creation Visa. Since this type of Business Immigration Visa may be new to you, we should dig a…
Read More What is Political Asylum?
Political asylum is an application filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), an agency in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), that allows an applicant to seek protection from persecution in their country of nationality. An applicant must prove the following: That the application has been filed within one year of entry into…
Read More Immigration Policy – What If There Is No Line?
Recently, I was listening to a talk radio program in which immigration policy was discussed. The gist of the discussion was responding to the question, “Why don’t illegal immigrants just get in line?” The point the host was making was that if those wanting to immigrate to the United States would just get in line…
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