Articles Posted in Uncategorized

By: Norka M. Schell, Esq. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has officially finalized a transformative rule that fundamentally changes how H-1B work visas are awarded. Effective February 27, 2026, the long-standing random lottery system will be replaced by a weighted selection process designed to prioritize higher-skilled and higher-paid foreign professionals. This change is a…

Effective January 1, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has expanded its pause on the adjudication of immigration benefits. Under Policy Memorandum PM-602-0194, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is implementing an immediate “hold and review” for applications from an expanded list of high-risk countries. This directive follows Presidential Proclamation (PP) 10998, which…

As an immigration and criminal attorney in New York, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact of a New York conviction on the lives of individuals, particularly, on noncitizens’ lives. I’ve also seen the devastating impact of deportation on the lives of individuals, and the lives of their family members. Under the Donald Trump second term…

As the nation anticipates the incoming administration, President-Elect Donald J. Trump’s vows to enforce a rigorous immigration policy has garnered significant attention. His hard-line stance on illegal immigration mirrors the rhetoric from his first campaign, but this time, he has indicated that his administration will focus on immigration enforcement and scrutiny foreign nationals. In addition…

As the sun rises over the bustling streets of New York, Maria stands at her kitchen window, watching her children play in the yard. She reflects on their journey from Guatemala, the sacrifices she made for a better life, and the dreams she holds for their future. Yet, as news spreads about the President elected,…

Enquanto o sol nasce sobre as ruas movimentadas de Nova York, Maria fica na janela da cozinha, observando seus filhos brincarem no quintal. Ela reflete sobre sua jornada da Guatemala, os sacrifícios que fez por uma vida melhor e os sonhos que ela tem para o futuro. No entanto, à medida que se espalham notícias…

The backlog in the Immigration Courts and in the United States Citizenship Services (USCIS) is a growing concern for many immigrants and their families. The backlog has created long wait times for individuals seeking resolution to their immigration cases, leading to uncertainty and anxiety about their status in the United States. The Immigration Courts, which…

> The White House’s consideration of significant changes to America’s Asylum System and nationwide expansion of authority to expeditiously remove people from the interior represents a dramatic shift in U.S. immigration policy. The proposed changes are being viewed as a last-gasp effort to garner Republican support for a necessary supplemental spending bill. However, the potential…

On Nov. 08, 2023, The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State (DOS), announced the lists of countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs in the next year. See here https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/dhs-announces-countries-eligible-for-h-2a-and-h-2b-visa-programs-1. On Nov. 16, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through the…

Refugee law may be the world’s most powerful international human rights mechanism. Not only do millions of people invoke its protections every year in countries spanning globe, but they do so on the basis of a self-actuating mechanism of international law that, quite literally, allows at-risk persons to vote with their feet. This is because,…