Will N.J. Follow California’s Example as a “Sanctuary State?”
  • Will N.J. Follow California’s Example as a “Sanctuary State?”
    Will N.J. Follow California’s Example as a “Sanctuary State?”
    California Governor Jerry Brown on Oct. 5 singed the California Values Act, a law that gives more protections to undocumented immigrants by limiting how California law enforcement can cooperate with federal immigration authorities. According to USA Today, the Act bars state and local authorities from using resources to interrogate, detain,...
  • Policy Change Makes It More Difficult to Renew U.S. Non-Immigrant Visas
    Policy Change Makes It More Difficult to Renew U.S. Non-Immigrant Visas
    Under a policy change announced by USCIS on Oct. 23, renewals of non-immigrant visas will undergo the same scrutiny as first-time applications. Before the policy update, officers could give deference to findings in previously approved applications when deciding on renewals, but now, even if the beneficiary and petitioner are unchanged,...
  • DoD Modifies Criteria for Expedited Naturalization of U.S. Service Members
    DoD Modifies Criteria for Expedited Naturalization of U.S. Service Members
    The process of becoming a U.S. citizen is time consuming and riddled with legal hurdles. Most immigrants who wish to become a naturalized citizen must reside in the United States for at least five years, but there are several exceptions to this requirement, one of which applies to service members...
  • Green Card Holders Face New Hurdle to Enlist in U.S. Coast Guard
    Green Card Holders Face New Hurdle to Enlist in U.S. Coast Guard
    Effective Oct. 13, all lawful permanent residents who apply for enlistment in the U.S. Coast Guard will have to pass a Military Service Suitability Determination (MSSD) and National Security Determination (NSD). According to a memorandum issued by the Department of Defense, the DoD Consolidated Adjudications Facility (CAF) will administer the...
  • Trump Administration’s Immigration Priorities Favor Highly Skilled, Young Immigrants
    Trump Administration’s Immigration Priorities Favor Highly Skilled, Young Immigrants
    The Trump Administration recently released a list of immigration priorities that strongly favor highly skilled, young immigrants. The Administration has proposed a merit-based system that awards an immigrant points based on his or her economic contributions, likelihood to assimilate, and ability to be financially self-sufficient. (more…)