Legal Articles, Immigration
Analysis of AG Sessions' Legal Justification for Ending DACA
On September 5, 2017, the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, Elaine C. Duke, issued a memorandum rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Annual U Visa Limit Reached for Fiscal Year 2017
On August 30, 2017, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has approved the congressionally mandated annual limit of 10,000 U visa petitions for fiscal year 2017.
Noel Francisco Confirmed as Solicitor General of the United States
On September 19, 2017, Noel Francisco was confirmed by the United States Senate by a vote of 50-47 to serve as the Solicitor General of the United States. As Solicitor General, Noel Francisco will be the government’s lead lawyer in arguments before the Supreme Court of the United States.
Decision on Nominee for Secretary of DHS Not Imminent
On July 31, 2017, the former Secretary of Homeland Security, John F. Kelly, left his position to become the White House Chief of Staff. Since then, Elaine C. Duke, who was serving as the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, has been serving as Acting Secretary of Homeland Security.
Water-Damaged Passports and Visas After Hurricanes Harvey and Irma
On September 14, 2017, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) published a document titled “CBP Practice Alert: Water Damaged Visas and Passports.” The guidance concerns foreign nationals with damaged documents as a result of events such as Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
USCIS Releases Two Charts on Rescission of DACA
On September 13, 2017, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a simple chart explaining what the rescission of DACA means for those who have DACA and those who were considering applying or in the process of applying on September 5, 2017.
Archived Article on Eligibility Requirements for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
On September 5, 2017, acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine C. Duke rescinded the 2012 memorandum authorizing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). We explain the reasoning behind the decision and its implementation in a full article.
Singaporean Blogger Amos Lee Granted Asylum in the United States
On September 26, 2017, Sophia Tareen of the Associated Press reported that the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) had upheld a decision granting asylum in the United States to Amos Yee, a teenage blogger and a national and citizen of Singapore.
Affirmative Asylum Applicants Can Now Check Case Status Online
On January 28, 2019, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that affirmative asylum applicants with pending applications can now check the status of their applications at uscis.gov/casestatus.
USCIS Resumes Premium Processing of FY-2019 Cap-Subject H1B Petitions
On January 25, 2019, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it is resuming premium processing for all H1B nonimmigrant visa petitions subject to the fiscal year 2019 cap.
