Legal Articles, Deportation
SCOTUS Oral Arguments in Pereira v. Sessions (When NTA Triggers Stop-Time Rule)
On January 12, 2018, the Supreme Court of the United States granted certiorari in Pereira v. Sessions, Docket No. 17-459. On April 23, 2018, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case.
Waivers
Waivers are a broad category of applications for discretionary relief where a foreign national is subject to a ground of deportability or inadmissibility.
BIA Amicus Invitation No. 18-02-14: “Removability & Aggravated Felony Definitions”
On February 14, 2018, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) issued Amicus Invitation No. 18-02-14, titled “Removability & Aggravated Felony Definitions.”
Indictments in Alleged P3 Visa Fraud Scheme
On February 8, 2018, a 15-count indictment was unsealed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York against three individuals – Stella Boyadjian, Hrachya Atoyan, and Diana Grigoryan (aka “Dina Akopovna”)...
DOS Proposes Social Media Vetting and Other New Information Collections for Visa Applicants
On March 30, 2018, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published two notices in the Federal Register (FR) regarding information collections for the Form DS-160 (and DS-156) and the DS-260.
Texas Files New Motion for Preliminary Nationwide Injunction Against DACA
On May 1, 2018, Texas filed a motion in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas seeking a preliminary nationwide injunction against the U.S. Government’s implementation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Vietnam EB5 to Become Oversubscribed in April 2018
In the Visa Bulletin for April 2018, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) explained that the Vietnam Employment Fifth preference (EB5) category will become oversubscribed in May 2018. This will result in the establishment of a final action date for Vietnam EB5.
U.S. Embassy in Havana to Operate with Reduced Staffing on Permanent Basis
Beginning on September 29, 2017, the U.S. Embassy in Havana began operating under ordered departure status. Under this policy, non-essential staff at the U.S. Embassy in Havana was removed, leaving only critical personnel necessary to continue the essential functions of the Embassy.
Visa Bulletin for September 2018
On August 7, 2018, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) released the September 2018 Visa Bulletin. The September Visa Bulletin is the final edition of the visa bulletin issued in fiscal year 2018.
UAE Judo Event Reinstated After Federation Pledges to Treat Israeli Athletes Equally
On September 4, 2018, Arutz Shiva reported that the International Judo Federation has decided to reinstate the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam after the United Arab Emirates Judo federation confirmed that it would allow all participating nations to compete “in equal conditions.”