On Wednesday, Senate Leaders Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell received a letter signed by a coalition of over 100 companies and trade association to pass the Dream Act of 2021. “Continued delay or inaction will cause significant negative economic and social impact on businesses and hundreds of thousands of deserving young people across the country,”… Read More
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March Immigration Update: What’s Changing in Immigration Law?
Just like in 2016, the Biden administration is rapidly making changes and updates to the immigration law system, this time to undo much of the damage left by the Trump administration. The Law Offices of Lloyd E. Bennett Esq., P.C. is publishing regular updates to outline as many of these changes as possible, putting them… Read More
Visa Backlog at Consulates Could Last for Years
Even before the pandemic, the wait for a visa could take two years or longer. Consulates around the world used to issue about half a million visas per year, largely to the spouses and dependents of U.S. citizens and permanent residents. In most cases, immigrants have to wait in their home country for that entire… Read More
The Biden Immigration Policy [Feb 2020 Update]
On January 20, 2021, President Biden issued several orders on immigration. Some orders take immediate effect while others may take more time to be implemented. If you think these policies affect you, contact a lawyer or legal service provider. Among the changes are: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) remains in place. Deportations* were paused for… Read More
Biden Proposes Immediate Immigration Bill as Dems Take Senate
With the Senate under Democratic control, President Joe Biden has unveiled plans to send an immigration reform bill as soon as possible to the Senate, perhaps even on his first day in office. His first actions will include terminating the ban on immigration from Muslim-majority countries and creating a path to citizenship for Dreamers. He’ll also be tasking… Read More
Large Number of Florida Immigrants May Be Eligible for Green Cards
Last week, a Miami immigration judge released a ruling that made any immigrant released by DHS in Florida without a deportation order eligible to apply for a green card. Specifically, the court ruled that immigrants that were released without deportation orders would be “paroled” as a “matter of law.” Parole was historically how thousands of… Read More
USCIS Backlogs Will Prevent Hundreds of Thousands from Voting in 2020 Election
Our firm has reported on the USCIS backlog crisis repeatedly over the last few years, but now the crisis has reached new heights. Years of policy changes that have made it harder to apply for asylum, visas, TPS, and citizenship have resulted in a stockpile of unprocessed applications that will take years to resolve. There are more… Read More
Undocumented people can now get professional licenses in New Jersey
Governor Phil Murphy has signed a historic bill allowing undocumented people to obtain professional and occupational licensing in our state, as long as they meet certain other requirements. The law allows undocumented immigrants the opportunity to get jobs as accountants, architects, acupuncturists, court reporters, doctors, engineers, social workers, and other careers requiring a license. For… Read More
White House Must Accept New DACA Applications, Judge Says
Less than a month after the Supreme Court denied the Trump administration’s attempt to end the DACA program, a federal judge has secured another victory for young immigrants and immigration advocates. Earlier this month, Judge Paul Grimm of the US District Court for the District of Maryland ruled that the DACA program must be restored… Read More
Trump Suspends Worker Visas Until the End of 2020 by Proclamation
Effective today, the Trump administration has issued a proclamation that suspends the issuing of multiple work visas, including the H-1B, the H-2B, the J, and the L visas. This doesn’t apply to workers currently in the United States or anyone with a nonimmigrant visa who currently resides here. It also includes certain exceptions for individuals who are providing essential labor,… Read More