Department Of Homeland Security Response To Recent Litigation

For the next 90 days, nearly all travelers, except U.S. citizens, traveling on passports from Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Iran, Somalia, Libya, and Yemen will be temporarily suspended from entry to the United States. The 90 day period will allow for proper review and establishment of standards to prevent terrorist or criminal infiltration by foreign nationals.

Importantly, however, Lawful Permanent Residents of the United States traveling on a valid I-551 will be allowed to board U.S. bound aircraft and will be assessed for exceptions at arrival ports of entry, as appropriate.  The entry of these individuals, subject to national security checks, is in the national interest. Therefore, we expect swift entry for these individuals.

Executive Order on Immigration

What an extraordinary 72 hours it has been in immigration law and enforcement.  

ACLU led attorneys filed actions across the country to halt the Executive Order issued on January 27, 2017. Resulting in a federal judge in the Eastern District of New York issuing the first order, granting a nationwide stay of removal preventing deportation for individuals with valid visas and approved refugee applications affected by the Executive Order. The next came a decision out of a federal court in Massachusetts - it barred federal officials from detaining or removing individuals subject to the Executive Order.  In a case filed in Virginia, the court ordered federal officials to provide lawyers access to "all legal permanent residents being detained at Dulles International Airport" and barred officials from deporting covered individuals for the next seven days. In the case out of Washington State, the federal judge barred the federal government from deporting two unnamed individuals from the United States.

The Department of Homeland Security put out a statement early today stating only that the agency "will comply with judicial orders."

A copy of the Executive Order is provided in the link below.  

U.S. SENATE MOVES TO EXTEND EB-5 PROGRAM AS IS

The Senate is moving forward with an extension of the EB-5 immigrant investor program as is and reforms to the program appear unlikely.

The provision to extend the program is included in the continuing resolution, a short-term budget bill that allows the government to keep running until early December.

EB-5 visa program may expire on Sept. 30 if Congress doesn’t take action

The investor visa program, EB-5, is set to expire on September 30, unless Congress can temporarily extend it, or reform it to cut down the loopholes and eliminate the numerous cases of fraud that surface with the program.

Supreme Court Immigration Decision: 4-4 Tie Blocks Obama’s Executive Action Helping Immigrants

Breaking News:  The Supreme Court announced today that it was deadlocked in a 4-4 tie in a decision on the immigration policies of U.S. President Barack Obama. The decision effectively blocks Obama's action, allowing an appeals court decision to stand.

Trump's And Sanders' Immigration Plans Would Shake The Biomedical World

First the big news. Presidential candidates Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders actually agree. On what could they possibly agree? Both are are opposed to the current H-1B visa program and would like to see the minimum wage of the visa raised. Both have highlighted the impact of the current visa program on jobs for Americans. Much of the Presidential debate over the H-1B Visa has focused on how the visa affects the computer and information technology world. 

Lawmakers Take ‘Fix It or Nix It’ Stance on EB-5

A popular senior housing finance program that was previously under fire received a short term reprieve—but lawmakers continue to discuss dismantling or reforming it.

The EB-5 financing program has been extended exactly as is until September 30, 2016, but calls to reform the program with stricter regulations have remained. The provision to extend the program without major changes was approved within the federal funding Omnibus Bill by Congress on December 15. But in early February, the program was back up for debate.

DHS Proposed Rule to Amend Its Regulations Related to Skilled Workers

DHS proposed rule to amend its regulations related to Skilled Workers (EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 immigrant and non-immigrant) visa programs. Comments are due by 2/29/16. (80 FR 81900, 12/31/15)

Families are Taken Into Custody as Push to Deport Immigrants Denied Refuge Begins

The detentions of at least 11 families across the country marked the first day of an effort by the government to find and deport Central American immigrants who sought refuge in the U.S. and stayed illegally, immigrant advocates said Saturday.

Paris Attacks Reshape U.S. Debate on Immigration

U.S. lawmakers called on Tuesday for even tighter scrutiny of Syrian refugees fleeing to the United States as last week's deadly Paris attacks U.S. debate on immigration and national security, prompting a sharp rebuke from President Barack Obama, who said attempts to block entry were "offensive and contrary to American values".