Immigration Updates

Strategic Counsel from the Law Offices of Norka M. Schell, LLC In a high-conflict divorce involving a foreign national, the fear that a spouse may take your children out of the country without your consent is a heavy burden. International parental abduction is a complex legal crisis that is far easier to prevent than it…

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…

#### HISTORY The Alien and Sedition Acts were a set of four laws enacted in 1798 that applied restrictions to immigration and speech in the United States. The Naturalization Act of 1798 increased the requirements to seek citizenship, the Alien Friends Act of 1798 allowed the president to imprison and deport non-citizens, the Alien Enemies…

#### HISTORY The Alien and Sedition Acts were a set of four laws enacted in 1798 that applied restrictions to immigration and speech in the United States. The Naturalization Act of 1798 increased the requirements to seek citizenship, the Alien Friends Act of 1798 allowed the president to imprison and deport non-citizens, the Alien Enemies…

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…

#### HISTORY The Alien and Sedition Acts were a set of four laws enacted in 1798 that applied restrictions to immigration and speech in the United States. The Naturalization Act of 1798 increased the requirements to seek citizenship, the Alien Friends Act of 1798 allowed the president to imprison and deport non-citizens, the Alien Enemies…

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…