Category: Other
Regulaciones EB-5 nuevas toman efecto el 21 de noviembre del 2019 – Lo que debe saber ahora!
La semana pasada el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS) publico regulaciones nuevas sobre el programa EB-5, Programa de Inversionista Inmigrantes (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-07-24/pdf/2019-15000.pdf)). Algunos de los cambios significantes incluyen: Aumento de las cantidades mínimas de inversión requeridas. Para inversiones localizadas en áreas designada bajo un área designada Área de Empleo Objeto (TEA; pueblos fuera del área estadística metropolitana con población de menos de 20,000, o áreas con desempleo alto de 150% de la tasa de desempleo nacional promedio) la cantidad se aumenta de $500,000 a $900,000. Para inversiones localizados fuera de áreas designadas el aumento es de $1,000,000 a $1,800,000. Estas cantidades ... Read more
New EB-5 Regulations Will Go Into Effect on November 21, 2019 – What You Need to Know Now!
This past week the Department of Homeland Security published the anticipated and impactful new EB-5 regulations (EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Modernization; https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-07-24/pdf/2019-15000.pdf). Some of the most significant changes to the program include: Minimum Investment Amounts. The minimum investment amounts will increase on November 21, 2019. For investments that are in Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs; rural areas outside of a Metropolitan Statistical Area with a population of 20,000 or more; or an area with an unemployment rate of 150% of the national average), the amount increases from $500,000 to $900,000. For those outside TEAs, it goes from $1,000,000 to $1,800,000. These ... Read more
Ruth McChesney Admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court Bar
Long-time DMCA Managing Partner Ruth McChesney, currently Of Counsel to DMCA, was admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court Bar earlier this month. She summarized her experience as follows: “It was an extraordinary experience being formally sworn into the U.S. Supreme Court Bar by Chief Justice John Roberts with all the Supreme Court justices after hearing four decisions. I was impressed by the solemnity of the process and was privileged to hear Ruth Bader Ginsburg issue a majority opinion (https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/18pdf/18-525_m6hn.pdf) on a jurisdictional issue of a discrimination case. Afterwards, Justice Ginsburg visited with the new members. I learned and appreciated that she ... Read more
DMCA attorney Javier Rivera is in the Texas Bar Journal!
Javier writes about criminal defense lawyer’s duty to advise immigrant clients about their duty to advise about immigration consequences of a guilty plea Check out Javier’s article!
En español: Los requisitos generales de la naturalización–un podcast nuevo de DMCA!
In this Spanish language podcast, DMCA partner Marisol L. Pérez discusses general eligibility requirements for naturalization. She discusses who is generally eligible, language requirements, the civics exam, good moral character issues, and other important issues to consider when considering naturalization. En este podcast en español, la socia de DMCA Marisol L. Pérez discute los requisitos generales de la naturalización. Ella discute quién es generalmente elegible, los requisitos de idioma, el examen cívica, temas de buen carácter moral y otros temas importantes cuando se considera la naturalización. En español: Los requisitos generales de la naturalización
The Trump administration filed to restart 18,000 deportation cases before the immigration court
BuzzFeed reported today that the Trump Administration is moving to restart more than 18,000 deportation cases. The majority of these cases were “administratively closed” (which means indefinitely continued) so the overwhelmed immigration courts could focus on high priority cases. The Trump administration’s decision to recalendar the old cases will contribute to historic backlogs in the immigration courts by requiring immigration judges to consider cases that were previously considered less serious than others. In our office, we have convinced immigration judges to deny the government’s motions to reschedule cases when our client has DACA status or has a pending application for ... Read more
DMCA Partner Marisol Perez speaks at 2019 Immigration Symposium
Watch DMCA Partner Marisol Perez speak at the 2019 St. Mary’s Law School’s Immigration Symposium. In her speech, Marisol addresses I-601A waivers and other important issues in consular processing. If you or someone you know is having difficulty with a U.S. consular post abroad or is considering traveling for an interview, call (866)690-1844 to discuss your options. Marisol is board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in immigration and nationality laws. Marisol Perez’s speech at 2019 Immigration Symposium
DMCA has a podcast!
DMCA published its first episode on its new podcast today. In the first episode, Lance Curtright discusses what to expect in removal proceedings. If you have ideas for topics for future episodes, please let us know and we’ll try to work them in. https://www.buzzsprout.com/263228/977517-removal-proceedings?fbclid=IwAR3_Nzdjj4UATxAx79lGz-T_womsgdWfhbBfoiB-R7ebF09YkAvYWYqGlrY
H-4 EADs and H1B Cap Season
In May 2015 USCIS issued a final rule allowing certain H-4 dependent spouses to apply for an employment authorization document (EAD). The current administration has issued a new rule that proposes to end employment authorization for these same H-4 visa holders. This rule could be finalized as quickly as May 2019. H-4 visa holders come to the U.S. to join their spouses on H1B visas. It is estimated that about 90,000 foreign nationals, mostly women hold EADs through this program. The EADs are issued to spouses who are well on their way to obtaining lawful permanent residence through employer sponsorship, ... Read more
H1B Cap Season: What You Need to Know Now
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced partial implementation to new rules regarding cap subject H1Bs. The new rules will have minimal effects regarding the application process for fiscal year 2020, but partial implementation of the new rules will favor H1B applicants with U.S. Master’s degrees this year. Full implementation of the new rules is anticipated for the next fiscal year, which will include a registration process for employers and beneficiaries. As H1B season is rapidly approaching, it is critical that employers and applicants begin preparation of H1B petitions in advance of the filing receipt deadline for the first ... Read more
Why February 5, 2019 is important for student visa holders
On August 9, 2018, USCIS issued a memorandum on how unlawful presence would be calculated for student visa holders in F, J, and M status. Before the memo was issued the student would not begin to accrue unlawful presence until the day after a formal finding was made by the government. Under the new memo, which remains in effect, despite pending litigation in the federal courts, if an F-1 student is found to have failed to maintain status, the student will begin to accrue unlawful presence on the day after he or she engaged in the “unauthorized activity” that caused the status ... Read more
DMCA partner Lance Curtright’s interview with Ben Kissel on Abe Lincoln’s Top Hat
“We discuss the ongoing consequences of the government shutdown and we are joined by immigration attorney Lance Curtright to discuss unpacking disinformation, ‘Blame the Immigrant’ rhetoric and what the future has in store.”