News

U.S. Embassy in Caracas Suspends All Visa Services

On January 25, 2019, the Department of State announced that the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, suspended routine visa services due to the ordered departure of non-emergency personnel. The consular section advised that it is focused on providing… Read More
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The “Invisible Wall”: USCIS Processing Times Now at “Crisis Level” and Policy Changes Transform Agency from Service-Oriented to Enforcement-Driven

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) recently analyzed published USCIS data for fiscal years 2014 through 2018 and found a crisis-level of delays in the agency’s processing of applications and petitions for immigration benefits under… Read More
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Update on USCIS Practice of Denying Pending Advance Parole Travel Permit for Abandonment Due to International Travel

Most foreign nationals who apply for advance parole (travel permit) (Form I-131) in conjunction with an adjustment of status application must wait for the travel document to be issued before traveling abroad; otherwise, their adjustment case will be… Read More
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Proposal to Rescind H-4 Work Authorization Pending at OMB

It looks like DHS is close to publishing a regulation that will eliminate the eligibility for employment authorization of certain H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B nonimmigrants who are seeking employment-based lawful permanent resident status. Commonly… Read More
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Updated Guidance on Spousal Petitions Involving Minor Spouses

USCIS has updated its guidance identifying factors officers should consider when adjudicating a Form I-130 spousal petition involving a minor. Those factors include: (1) whether the marriage was lawful in the place it was celebrated; (2) if the coupl… Read More
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Attorney Jennifer L. Nissen nominated as "Pro Bono Champion"

CHENHALLS NISSEN, S.C. congratulates Attorney Jennifer Nissen for her nomination as a “Pro Bono Champion” by the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyer’s Association (AILA). This program is designed to shine a well-des… Read More
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I-9 Compliance in a New World: It's Not Just Paperwork

Question for employers: How does your company handle its I-9s? Have you even thought about it? Unfortunately, most employers tend to underthink this hugely important human resources component, which affects all its employees, not just foreign nationa… Read More
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Chad Removed from Travel Ban List

In April, the President announced that Chad was off the list of countries with travel restrictions. The decision followed a period of review in which the Chadian government improved their identity-management and information sharing practices. Individ… Read More
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USCIS to Destroy Undeliverable Green Cards & EADs after 60 Days

USCIS announced that it is now destroying permanent resident cards, employment authorization cards, and travel documents returned as undeliverable by the U.S. Postal Service after 60 business days if USCIS is not contacted with the correct address. W… Read More
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Immigrant Visa Application (DS-260) and Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160) Likely to Include More Detailed History and Social Media Information

The State Department will likely require nonimmigrant and immigrant visa applicants to provide more detailed histories including social media platforms. In a notice of rulemaking governing electronic Forms DS-260 and DS-160, DOS detailed its intentio… Read More
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