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Updates on Iranian-Americans Detained at Canadian Border and on the Status of Asylum Seekers Entering the U.S. from Mexico

Updated: Jan 07, 2020 | Tags: USA Immigration, Border Security

Americans of Iranian origin temporarily detained at the border with Canada Iranian-American families are anxious for the future amid rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran. A Muslim rights group claims that over 60 U.S. citizens of Iranian origin have undergone questioning and delays when reentering the United States at the border in Blaine, Washington State. CAIR, the Council for American-Islamic…

How does a country get admitted to the Visa Waiver Program?

Updated: Aug 25, 2023 | Tags: Visa Waiver Program, Border Security

Introduction The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows visa-free travel for over 20 million visitors annually to the United States for citizens of 41 participating countries globally. The VWP uses a multi-layered security system to stop potentially dangerous individuals from entering the USA. These security measures include comprehensive screening before a traveler departs to the United States and upon…

H-1B Electronic Registration and Border Wall Construction Updates

Updated: Dec 12, 2019 | Tags: Border Security, USA Visa Application

H-1B Electronic Registration Process for 2021 announced by USCIS The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that a pilot testing phase for the H-1B electronic registration process has successfully been completed. Employers who wish to apply for H-1B cap-subject petitions for the following fiscal year must now register electronically. An associated registration fee of $10…

How does the ESTA identify security risks?

Updated: Aug 25, 2023 | Tags: Border Security, ESTA Requirements, ESTA Eligibility

Introduction Since 2008, the security of the VWP (Visa Waiver Program) has been enhanced by the introduction of ESTA, which enables the CBP (U.S Customs and Border Protection) to vet prospective travelers to see if they pose a security risk before they board a carrier bound for the United States. ESTA acts as a counterbalance to the vulnerabilities and risks presented by visa-free travel with an extra…

ICE Raids and H1B Vsa Lottery Changes

Updated: Jul 12, 2019 | Tags: USA Immigration, Border Security

ICE Plans Action on Immigrant Raids Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has signalled the beginning of raids on communities and residences deemed to be inhabited by illegal immigrants. President Trump stated that raids would commence soon after July 4th 2019. The President has argued for a more active stance on deporting individuals who have be residing illegally in the United States. With large…

The Introduction of Merit-Based "Build America" Visas and Scrutiny Over U.S. Border Custody Practices

Updated: Jun 04, 2019 | Tags: USA Visa Requirements, USA Immigration, Border Security

Professionals look set to benefit as President Trump reveals plans to replace existing green cards with the merit-based “Build America” visa. In a shift away from a family-based green card policy, the plan is for a merit-based visa allocation system that will favour those with job offers, post-graduate degrees and high-level skills over applicants with relatives already on the country. However, the…

Several States File a Lawsuit Against National Emergency for Border Wall Funding

Updated: Feb 19, 2019 | Tags: Border Security, Green Card, USA Visa, USA Immigration

President Trump declares a national emergency to get his border wall built In trying to avoid another Federal government shutdown, President Donald Trump has invoked his emergency powers to bypass Congress. He will divert up to $3.6 billion from Pentagon military funding towards the construction of the border wall with Mexico, a move that he justifies by declaring that the US is threatened by criminal…

Do I need to apply for an ESTA if crossing the Canada border?

Updated: Jan 21, 2024 | Tags: Border Security, Entering USA by Land

Most Visa Waver Program (VWP) eligible travelers visit the United States via commercial air or sea carriers or via land. Those arriving by land usually do so by crossing into the United States through the Canadian border, or although less frequent, the Mexican border. This article will examine the requirements of these travelers when entering or exiting the U.S. by land, and look at some of the complications…