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What are the functions of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)?

Updated: Feb 27, 2023 | Tags: Customs and Border Protection, Border Security, USA Immigration

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the federal agency responsible for safeguarding the nation's borders. From ports of entry to land, air and sea, the CBP works tirelessly to keep criminals and dangerous items out of the country while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. In this article, we'll take a closer look at what the CBP does and how it impact travelers entering…

U.S. Work Visa News October 2022

Updated: Oct 18, 2022 | Tags: Work Visas, USA Immigration

On October 12, 2022, the DHS (U.S. Department of Homeland Security) said in an announcement that, after consulting with the DOL (U.S. Department of Labor), it plans to issue a regulation that will add another 64,716 H-2B non-agricultural worker visas to the usual number of 66,000 that are normally issued during a fiscal year. Why is DHS wanting to process more work visa requests? By making such a…

2022 U.S. Visa and Immigration Outlook

Updated: Jan 31, 2022 | Tags: USA Immigration, USA Visa Updates

Since the new American President arrived in the White House a year ago, he and his team have taken several steps to undo the immigration-related restrictions introduced by his predecessor. The list includes plans to admit more refugees, not applying the notorious 'public charge' system that prevents immigrants who could possibly use public benefits such as Medicaid from getting green cards, and protecting…

How Can the United States Help its Afghan Allies? Special Immigrant Visas and Other Options

Updated: Aug 23, 2021 | Tags: USA Immigration, USA Visa

As the United States withdraws from Afghanistan and Afghans attempt to flee the Taliban, the chaotic scenes at Kabul airport focus on what the United States can do to assist their Afghan allies in leaving. Much discussion has centered on the SIV (Special Immigrant Visa) program. Congress created this program in 2009 to support Afghan translators and others who had worked with U.S. forces during the…

US President Biden reversing more Trump Administration actions on immigration

Updated: Mar 17, 2021 | Tags: USA Visa Restrictions, USA Immigration

When he was still US President, Donald Trump suspended the issuing of Green Cards until the end of 2021. The reason he gave for this decision was that it would help to protect American citizens in the job market during the Covid-19 pandemic. When the order was about to expire, he issued an extension order for another three months. When his successor, Joe Biden, became US President he decided to lift…

President Biden increases the visa rights of migrant workers

Updated: Feb 11, 2021 | Tags: USA Visa Requirements, USA Immigration

New immigration legislation introduced by President Joe Biden looks set to boost the numbers of foreign workers in the United States and allow them to gain a Green Card at a later date. It could also eventually allow the estimated ten to twelve immigrants living in the States without documents to become citizens. Biden's proposals will also accelerate the process of granting Green Cards to the "Dreamers"…

December 2020 U.S. Visa and Immigration Updates

Updated: Dec 27, 2020 | Tags: COVID-19, USA Visa Restrictions, USA Immigration

Will the US suspend flights from the UK? As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to create havoc worldwide, the United States government is considering whether to ban entry to travelers from the United Kingdom, where a new mutation of the virus is spreading rapidly. A large number of countries have suspended travel from the United Kingdom while scientists investigate the significance of the SARs-COVID…

How would President-elect Joe Biden reform US immigration law?

Updated: Nov 30, 2020 | Tags: USA Immigration, Travel Restrictions

Immigration reform was a central plank of Donald Trump's first presidential campaign, and he made significant changes to US immigration policy from the start of his presidency. From the travel ban on Muslim majority countries to lowering caps on refugee numbers, successive reforms have made entering the United States more difficult or more expensive for many. Will things get easier with a new president? Biden…

Traveling to the U.S. while pregnant

Updated: Aug 25, 2023 | Tags: ESTA Requirements, USA Visa Restrictions, USA Immigration

Visa restrictions can make it harder for pregnant women to enter the United States Some recent U.S. policies have made it difficult for foreign nationals traveling to the United States during pregnancy to gain “birth right citizenship” for their child. According to figures from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 10,000 babies were born in the United States to foreign nationals…

SEVP announces temporary exemptions for foreign students in the US

Updated: Jul 10, 2020 | Tags: USA Visa Requirements, USA Immigration

SEVP, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, has announced changes to the temporary exemptions for foreign students in the US who may be taking classes online during the fall semester. DHS (the Department of Homeland Security) is planning to publish the modifications as a Temporary Final Rule. Non-immigrant students have been able to pursue academic coursework with an F-1 visa while students studying…