The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta ruled that Alabama cannot prosecute illegal immigrants for not carrying registration documents with them at all times or require schools to check the immigration status of all students. But the court said Alabama, among other things, can require police officers to verify…
Visa Lawyer Blog
California AB 1236 Protects Businesses from Mandatory E-Verify Program
On Sunday, October 9th, 2011 Governor Jerry Brown signed into law AB 1236, the Employment Acceleration Act authored by Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-Cupertino). The bill ensures that it prohibits the state, cities or counties from requiring employers to use E-Verify, an electronic employment verification system that uses employees’ social security…
Asylum Lawyer – President Obama Releases FY2012 Refugee Admissions Numbers and Authorizations
An asylum seeker is a person who has fled their own country and applies to the government of another country for protection as a refugee. According to the United Nations Convention and Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees (the Refugee Convention), a refugee is a person who is outside…
California Dream Act Becomes Law
Illegal immigrants can now apply for state-financed scholarships and aid at state universities after Gov. Jerry Brown announced last Saturday that he had signed the second half of a legislative package focused on such students. The bill is the second half of the California Dream Act. Mr. Brown signed the…
E2 Visa for Chefs and Hospitality Workers – Chef José Andrés inspiring story
Since he arrived in this country two decades ago, Chef Jose Andres has been a tireless advocate for Spanish cuisine. His D.C.-based restaurants helped popularize tapas, the small plates that typify Spanish food. He is also a model and inspiration to many aspiring Chef immigrants looking to move to the…
L1B Visa Attorney – Unreasonable Requests for Evidence in Specialized Knowledge cases
In the past several months we have received numerous lengthy Requests for Evidence regarding L1B visa cases. We are not alone, many lawyers across the country report similar requests in L1B cases. The L1B visa is designed for individuals from foreign countries who plan to come to the United States…
I-9 Audit Tips – What you need to know From the Perspective of a Former ICE Agent
I-9 Audits is always a hot topic. Chief of U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), John Morton, recently announced that the agency is going to increase the number of companies it will audit for I-9 violations and regularly impose fines on violators. I-9 violations can be devastating. Fines for I-9…
Immigration Inspection At A U.S. Port-Of-Entry: Recent CBP list on the Basic Elements of a Thorough Primary Inspection
When you are traveling to the United States for the first time you are likely to have questions and concerns about what happens when you arrive at the Port-of-Entry? A foreign national traveling to the United States will arrive initially at a U.S. “Port-of-Entry” (POE). The POE can be an…
Federal Judge Rules on Alabama HB 56
Alabama has prevailed where four other states which enacted anti-immigrant state laws, including Arizona, did not. Today Alabama law enforcement officers will have the right to question and detain anyone they suspect may be an undocumented immigrant, Gov. Robert Bentley said, after a federal judge upheld key provisions of the…
Motion to Reopen Success Story – USCIS Approves change of status filed after H1B employee’s termination
Attorney Ekaterina Powell spearheaded this remarkable victory. Camille is a citizen of the Philippines. She came to the U.S. in August 2007 on a J-1 visa to train in the hospitality operations of a restaurant. The restaurant subsequently hired Camille to work for them under H-1B visa in the position…