The U.S. Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands recently announced multiple sentences arising out of a scheme to willfully abuse the CW-1 Visa Program for personal profit. The announcement underscores the serious repercussions of defrauding the immigration process and the U.S. government. Abuse of the CW-1 Program According to the announcement, a business owner who resided in the Northern Mariana Islands facilitated READ MORE READ MORE

The Biden Administration recently proposed a price increase for nearly all nonimmigrant visas. Government officials say the increase is necessary to fund immigration services, which are already stretched to their limit, but critics suggest it could be a financial barrier to noncitizens seeking to enter this country. Proposed Rule in the Federal Register According to the proposed rule by the Department of State (“DOS”), the U.S. government READ MORE READ MORE

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) recently announced the initial registration period for the 2023 H-1B visa program will begin at noon on March 1, 2022, and run through March 18, 2022. Petitions filed within this window afford prospective employers the opportunity to vie for one of the limited H-1B visas for their employees for next year. What is the H-1B Visa? The H-1B is a temporary, READ MORE READ MORE

United States Continues Controversial Border Policy The Biden Administration decided this week to continue a policy implemented by the Trump administration that authorized the rapid deportation of noncitizens stopped at the U.S./Mexico, citing safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 1.5 million people have been expelled under this program without the opportunity to apply for any form of relief. This measure permits U.S. border officials to READ MORE READ MORE

The Biden administration recently announced neNew policies have been designed to attract international graduates who specialize in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (“STEM”) to study in the United States. By adjusting immigration provisions for these students, the Biden administration hopes to boost innovation in cutting-edge fields. Immigration-Based Reform Under the Biden Administration In the first year of the Biden administration, immigration remained a hot-button issue for politicians READ MORE READ MORE