As a U.S. immigrant and immigration lawyer, the personal continues to be political
Farah Al-khersan recently wrote an Op-Ed for the Globe and Mail about her personal experience with changing immigration laws.
Executive Orders
Biden Administration Rescinds Immigrant Visa Ban
On February 24, 2021, President Joe Biden rescinded the Immigrant Visa Ban implemented by the Trump Administration on April 22, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A copy of the new proclamation can be found here. The original proclamation signed by former President Donald Trump was initially set to expire after 60 days but was … Read more
President Biden Signs Immigration Executive Orders
On February 2, 2021, President Joe Biden signed several executive orders aimed at reversing harsh immigration policies implemented by the Trump Administration. One order establishes the Family Reunification Task Force, which will attempt to reunite parents and children that were separated at the border under Trump’s zero-tolerance policy. A second order establishes a plan to … Read more
You Need to Carry Proof of Two Years of U.S. Residence
OK, let’s get straight to the point: If you are in the United States without permission, you need to carry proof that you have resided in the United States for at least the most recent two years. Here’s why. What is “expedited removal”? On June 25, 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that if you are … Read more
Judge Permanently Blocks DHS Policy Shift on Student Visas
On February 6, 2020, a federal judge permanently blocked a DHS policy shift regarding persons who entered the United States on student visas and who later fell out of valid status. Background Many noncitizens who enter the United States on certain nonimmigrant visas – including F, J, and M student visas – are permitted to … Read more
U.S. Starts Collecting DNA from Persons at the Borders
U.S. immigration officials have begun to collect DNA samples from persons at the borders. Announced in October 2019, the DNA collection program is being implemented as a pilot in two locations: Detroit, Michigan and Eagle Pass, Texas. Under the new program, persons who are in immigration custody with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may be … Read more