The Brook House Inquiry, chaired by Kate Eves, revealed numerous cases of human rights abuses in the UK’s Brook House Immigration Removal Centre. Conducted to assess incidents between April and August 2017, the investigation uncovered 19 instances of mistreatment contravening Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Evident violations included exposing detained individuals…
In an important update, the U.S. Department of State announced that all receipts for payment of Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) fees, issued before October 1, 2022, will expire on September 30, 2023. This declaration has potential implications for legal professionals and global corporations employing foreign nationals, as it directly impacts the visa application and processing timelines….
Following the recent expiry of the United Auto Workers’ (UAW) labor contracts with the “Detroit Three” automakers on September 14, 2023, employers in the manufacturing sector and others within the automotive supplier network are faced with the task of ensuring compliance with immigration rules amidst a turbulent strike situation. After negotiations broke down between the…
Applying for a U.S. visa is no simple task, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic which has drastically impacted visa procedures and policies. With visa issuance becoming a complex undertaking, it has become increasingly important to identify and avoid common pitfalls in the visa application process to increase your chances of receiving visa…
Navigating immigration bureaucracy is a task that neither companies nor visa applicants take lightly. Each month, the U.S. federal immigration authorities provide a glimmer of predictability into this otherwise complex process – a list of dates informing immigrant visa applicants of when they may expect notification to assemble and provide the necessary documentation to the…
In a world where legal policies are ever-changing and adapting, legal professionals must constantly navigate the evolving landscape. One such area of shifting terrain is the topic of changes to a job post-PERM certification. This issue comes into play when employers undergo the process of sponsoring a foreign national for permanent residency, commonly referred to…
Effective from January 1, 2024, Illinois will implement substantial changes to its Human Rights Act. Notably, the revised Act will add immigration status as an additional basis of discrimination prohibited by law. This landmark decision serves as a significant development towards ensuring equality and fairness for all in Illinois, irrespective of their immigration status. These…
The UK charity, Public Law Project (PLP) revealed that they have issued a letter to Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk, making the case that he is in breach of his legal obligation to offer legal aid to asylum seekers in England and Wales, as is his responsibility under s.1 (1) of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and…
In view of the federally mandated fiscal year, the U.S. Congress is annually tasked with reaching a consensus to fund the federal government. The unfortunate aftermath of the inability of the Congress to find common ground and pass the required appropriations bill is a potential partial government shutdown. With the looming October 1, 2023, deadline,…
Several civil rights groups have recently filed a complaint against the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. They accuse the state of using administration practices that hinder continued Medicaid receipt by eligible beneficiaries, specifically those who are Latinos, immigrants, or Black. This action, according to the organizations,…
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently raised the bar for adjudicating petitions in the Extraordinary Ability and Outstanding Professor or Researcher categories. In an update to its policy manual, the agency has set out new guidance for evaluating eligibility criteria for the EB-1A (extraordinary ability) and EB-1B (outstanding professor or researcher) employment-based…
The U.S. has recently granted asylum to Mexican journalist Emilio Gutiérrez Soto, concluding a protracted 15-year legal battle. Gutiérrez Soto was compelled to flee Mexico in 2008 following his critical reporting on the Mexican military, which attracted negative attention from the country’s authorities. Ever since, Gutiérrez Soto has been tirelessly fighting for secure asylum status…
Poland’s Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA) recently charged seven individuals as part of an ongoing investigation into irregularities in the issuance of Polish visas, a scandal initially reported by Polish news outlet Onet. This case involves several high-ranking Polish officials, including a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official, that allegedly issued lists with individuals’ information, who paid…
The US Department of Labor recently released round 4 of their FAQ’s pertaining to Labor Condition Applications (LCA’s). Amidst the topics covered, one notable subject that emerged was the consideration of new, unintended job locations in relation to H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 workers. The associated concerns have become increasingly apparent due to the evolution of…
The UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) recently unveiled data cementing the US-Mexico border as the deadliest route for migrants worldwide. The data reveal the severe risks immigrants face on their arduous journey. The Missing Migrants Project report by IOM suggests that in 2022 alone, 686 people died attempting to reach the United States. Still,…
The United States is embarking upon massive infrastructural developments funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) Act. As these monumental steps forward are being taken, manufacturing industry must brace itself to meet staffing challenges that will inevitably coincide with the increasing…
In the latest legal news, a Federal judge has once again declared that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy is illegal, adding another layer of complexity to an issue that is likely to ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court. This revelation, featured in Thursday’s morning read from the SCOTUSblog, has stirred conversations…
Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP, a prominent corporate immigration firm, has recently made a significant stride on the diversity front. In a move that breaks its 43-year tradition, the firm announced on Wednesday that attorney Frieda Garcia will occupy the role of a managing partner. This designation is noteworthy as Garcia is the first woman…
As legal professionals, we frequently engage in the practice of reflection, often contemplating choices made in our early careers. It can be a fruitful process, enabling us to identify areas of improvement and perhaps even guiding the advice we give to those setting out on their legal journey. A partner of the full-services New York…
Given recent changes to United States immigration law and policy, employment eligibility verification procedures have undergone revisions, likely affecting corporate HR departments and legal teams worldwide. One of the major changes involves the revised I-9 form, also recognized as the Employment Eligibility Verification form. As per these updates, all employers must adopt and use the…
In a move intended to simplify the immigration process, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) rolled out an online portal for appointment scheduling on August 21, 2023. This development, announced in a recent September 2023 U.S. Immigration Alert, means that individuals looking to secure an appointment at their local field offices will no…
In recent months, United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has announced a series of alterations to the employment verification process, which directly influence the review and approval of employee identity and employment eligibility documentation. This follows a pattern of USCIS displaying assertive commitment to reforming its systems and processes — including revisions to Form…
At the heart of the ongoing geopolitical tensions between Russia and the European Union, lies Latvia – a small Eastern European nation which has become the epicentre of a burgeoning legal issue. Controversial amendments to Latvia’s Immigration Law, implemented on September 24, 2022, have generated both local and global scrutiny. At the crux of this…
September 2023 marked another important period of updates to immigration and global mobility law, as detailed by Ius Laboris in Immigration and Global Mobility Update No. 32. The comprehensive report provided key insights on recent changes to law, policies and procedures from legal experts stationed all around the globe. A typical issue of these updates,…
In today’s increasingly globalized business world, effective and compliant corporate immigration programs have become a necessity for companies building diverse and knowledgeable teams. Mitratech Holdings, Inc offers insight into this complex area, hosting a webinar on the subject titled “Crafting Success: The Pillars of a Compliant Corporate Immigration Program”. Slated for September 21st at 1:00…