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The Compass® Immigration News to help Employers, Families and Individuals navigate the legal system to successfully achieve their immigration goals.
Why Are Some People Being Arrested at Green Card Interviews?
Over the past several months, ICE has arrested hundreds, if not thousands, of people at their green card interview or initial hearing with an Immigration Judge. Why is this happening? ICE has issued a list of reasons which will support such an arrest. Potential reasons for an arrest include: If you fall into any of […]
The Immigration Pause is Not as Bad as it Appears!
Recently, the Department of State (DOS) announced it is taking a “pause” with all immigrant (permanent) visa cases to engage in more intrusive and strict vetting procedures before approval. The new procedure only applies to certain countries on a list which is now common knowledge. What is important about this new program is that it only […]
Important Updates on H-1 Criteria for the Lottery
One of the most far-reaching and important H-1 changes will be seen this year during the H-1 lottery. For the first time since the current H-1 category was created in 1990, USCIS is imposing restrictions on which categories of “professional and highly skilled” employees/job offers will be favored during the selection process. Under the recently […]
More Restrictive Rules and Requirements for “Public Charge” Issues
Both the Department of State (DOS) and the Immigration Service (CIS) have issued new requirements for anyone seeking a visa to enter the US or requesting entry at a Port of Entry (POE). The “Public Charge” rules address the question of whether a person can afford to live in the US, even temporarily. Every visa […]
When is a $100,000 Fee Not a $100,000 Fee?
Most of our readers are now well aware of the new $100,000 filing fee for H-1 cases. This fee is the result of an Executive Order from the President. The Order is illegal, and, as discussed in a previous article about how it violates the Administrative Procedures Act, it almost certainly will be invalidated by […]
The End of Third-Country Visas
For many years, and especially during COVID, the State Department (DOS) allowed certain non-immigrants to apply for and obtain a visa at US consulates other than those in countries where they reside and/or hold nationality. Most often this would be an Indian or Chinese applicant applying for a non-immigrant visa at a US consulate in […]
A $100,000 Filing Fee for H-1 Petitions
In the never-ending parody of what is normally a legal, valid and consistent Presidential Administration (herein after the Trump Administration (TA), the President issued an Executive Order which attempts to raise the filing fee for H-1 petitions by the unbelievable amount of $100,000. The first thing to notice in this “Alice in Wonderland” world created […]
Important New Rules for Non-Immigrant Visa Applications
The US State Department (DOS) is in the process of requiring Non-Immigrant visa applications (on Form DS-160) to be filed at least two days before the interview for the visa. Please note that this means two business days. Weekends and holidays (for the US or the country where the DS-160 is filed) are not included. […]
Navigating the Very Confusing “Registration” Process
The Department of Homeland Security and USCIS have issued new “registration” requirements. These are actually very old rules which have never been required in the past. We would, of course, expect the Trump Administration to use any and all opportunities to make life more difficult for foreign nationals. The list of those required to register […]