|
|
MVP Law Group
News You Can Use
April 2017
|
|
|
|
10632 Little Patuxent Parkway
Suite 406
Columbia, Maryland 21044
240-390-0600
1-800-447-0796
|
|
|
Greetings,
"Nearly all Americans have ancestors who braved the oceans - liberty-loving risk takers in search of an ideal - the largest voluntary migrations in recorded history... Immigration is not just a link to America's past; it's also a bridge to America's future."
-- President George W. Bush
Kellie Lego, Active Member of the DC/MD/VA Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) traveled to Washington, D.C., and visited Congressional offices to make the case for a much-needed overhaul of the nation's immigration system and to share examples of how immigrants make a positive contribution to our state.
"POTUS has proposed or implemented several policies that would severely damage Maryland families and businesses, like the ban on Muslims and refugees, the wasteful border wall, and jailing more immigrants. As part of AILA's National Day of Action, I advocated on Capitol Hill for necessary reforms to America's outdated immigration system and to prevent policies that would hurt Maryland like mass deportations. I was proud to take part in this unique opportunity to stand united with colleagues, clients, coalition partners, and other AILA members, to ask Congress to advance real solutions that improve our immigration system for the benefit of our economy, communities and all Americans," Lego said.
"On April 6, I visited the offices of Representative Anthony Brown, Senator Benjamin Cardin, Representative
Dutch Ruppersberger, Representative Elijah Cummings, Representative Jaime Raskin,
and Representative John Sarbarnes. At each meeting, I shared examples of real immigrants contributing to our community, and highlighted ways our laws could be reformed to increase our shared prosperity. I emphasized that discriminating against someone because of their religion or where they are from just isn't right. We need Congress to pass immigration reform that ensures America has smart, fair laws that will keep families together and help build our economy," said Lego.
"When 9 out of 10 Americans support offering a path to citizenship for unauthorized immigrants living and working in our communities, an enforcement-only approach like the one POTUS is advocating isn't pragmatic. We need solutions, not more policies that cost taxpayers billions and don't improve our national security," noted Lego. "We all benefit when the best and the brightest from all over the world can come to America, bringing their creativity and innovative spirit and building new industries. Our country deserves a system that works, and to get there we need a comprehensive immigration reform bill. We need Congress to lead on this today," Lego concluded.
Our Senators and Representatives want and need to hear from you, their constituents. They need to know how the current policies of the Trump Administration are affecting your friends, family, neighborhood and communities. NOTHING will change without real stories from YOU!
We encourage you to Call your Representatives and Senators, regardless of where you live, they should hear from you and know what you won't stand for -
§
1-866-940-2439 - Representative - Find your Representative here!
§
1-866-961-4293 - Senators - Find your Senators here!
Saturday, April 29, marks POTUS' 100 days in office. The Migration Policy Institute, an independent, nonprofit think tank, has prepared a Fact Sheet titled "The First 100 Days: Summary of Major Immigration Actions Taken by the Trump Administration." Stay informed my friends, stay informed!
POTUS has released the following Executive Orders dealing with Immigration since officially taking Office on January 20, 2017:
- Executive Order: Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements
- Executive Order: Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States
- Executive Order: Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States (1st Travel Ban)
- Executive Order: Task Force on Crime Reduction and Public Safety
- Executive Order: Enforcing Federal Law with Respect to Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) and Preventing International Trafficking
- Executive Order: Preventing Violence against Federal, State, Tribal and Local Law Enforcement Officers
- Executive Order: Protecting The Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into The United States (Travel Ban 2.0, replaces the January 27, 1ST Travel Ban )
- Executive Order: Buy American, Hire American
As the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to attack the Immigrant population, local nonprofits could use your support. If you are interested in helping either by volunteering your time or making a monetary contribution, on a nationwide level or locally, please reach out to the following organizations:
NATIONWIDE:
*We encourage you to stay tuned to our blog for the latest information related to U.S. Immigration.
In other immigration news, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Visa Bulletin for May 2017 is now available. The cutoff date movement is consistent with earlier predictions. The cutoff date for the EB2 category for India remained at 6/22/08 and EB3 moved from 3/24/05 to 3/25/05. The cutoff date for the EB2 category for Chinese Nationals moved from 1/15/13 to 2/8/13 and the cutoff date for the EB3 category for Chinese Nationals moved from 8/15/14 to 10/1/14.
We hope you continue to read our newsletter as well as our blog in order to stay in touch and obtain important information concerning changes to the regulatory environment and new trends in the adjudication of petitions.
Kellie N. Lego, Esq.
MVP Law Group, P.A.
|
|
|
H-1B Cap (FY 2018) has been reached!
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have announced that they reached the statutory H-1B cap of 65,000 for fiscal year (FY) 2018 within the first week of the filing period. USCIS has also received more than 20,000 H-1B petitions filed on behalf of persons exempt from the cap under the advanced degree exemption (master's cap). USCIS will reject and return filing fees for all cap-subject petitions that are not selected and are not duplicate filings. USCIS will continue to accept and process H-1B petitions that are otherwise exempt from the cap. Please remember that USCIS suspended premium processing starting April 3rd for up to six months for all H-1B petitions, including cap-exempt petitions. Read more |
Alternatives to the H-1B Visa for Individuals who did not make the FY2018 H-1B Quota
Now that all of the new H-1B visas for the 2018 Fiscal Year have been allocated, What options do Employers who are looking to hire Foreign National Professionals have?
Here are some creative solutions to this problem:
OPT - STEM Extension
If the company is registered for E-Verify, the database that enables employers to verify the legitimacy of work authorization and identity documents at the time of hire, those who have been granted 12 months of Optional Practical Training after graduation, are eligible for a STEM extension of an additional 24 months of work authorization.
|
|
About Our Law Firm
MVP Law Group, P.A. offers Business Immigration Services to Employers and Individuals World Wide. We deal primarily with Business Immigration by assisting clients in obtaining Temporary Work Visas; Preparing and Filing Employment Based and Family Based Immigrant Petitions; Aiding Lawful Permanent Residents in Attaining Naturalization; and ensuring compliance with Immigration laws by conducting internal audits for businesses in all industries.
U.S. Immigration Law is federal in nature (i.e., No State or provincial law is involved), therefore, our firm is able to provide U.S. Immigration Law Services to clients ANYWHERE in the United States and around the World.
MVP Law Group, P.A. 10632 Little Patuxent Parkway
Suite 406
Columbia, Maryland 21044
240-390-0600 1-800-447-0796 Keep In Touch With Us!   
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| PERM Processing Priority Dates (As of 4/27/17)
| PROCESSING AREA |
MONTH |
CALENDAR YEAR |
| Analyst Reviews |
Jan. |
2017 |
| Audits |
Aug. |
2016 |
| Requests for
Reconsideration |
Feb. |
2017 |
|
|
|
|
|
MAY 2017 VISA BULLETIN
The Department of State has released its latest Visa Bulletin.
The monthly Visa Bulletin has changed. The bulletin now summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during the reported month for: "Application Final Action Dates" (consistent with prior Visa Bulletins) and "Dates for Filing Applications," indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center using Consular Processing (outside of the US) or file on their own with USCIS Form I-485 (within the US).
|
|
|
MVP LAW GROUP - Immigration Q&A Forum
|
MVP Law Group, P.A. makes available the information and materials in this forum for informational purposes only. The information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice or any contractual obligations. Further, the use of this site, and the sending or receipt of this information, does not create an attorney-client relationship between us. Therefore, your communication with us through this forum will not be considered as privileged or confidential.
Question #1 - Deportation
Can a person who was deported from the U.S.A ever return to the US legally?
Answer #1
It depends. If a noncitizen was deported from the U.S., they are not supposed to attempt to reenter for a specified period of time, if ever. It depends upon factors such as the reason for removal, and whether the person was convicted of a crime, etc. You should contact an Immigration Attorney to further discuss.
Question #2 - Re-Entry Permit
What does a legal resident have to do to stay outside the U.S. for more than 6 months?
Answer #2
Read more
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
