On October 20, 2017, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report criticizing the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Administrative Site Visits and Verification Program (ASVVP) and the use of targeted site visits. The report, entitled "USCIS Needs...
In light of the Board of Immigration Appeals decision in Matter of Ruzuku, which directed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to accept sibling-to-sibling DNA tests as probative evidence to be considered in determining whether a qualifying family relationship exists, the U.S. Department of...
The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) recently clarified when pretrial agreements in criminal cases qualify as "convictions" under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). In its decision in the Matter of Mohamed, the BIA determined that an intervention or a diversion program designed to avoid...
On September 1, 2017, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) revised its Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) policy guidance to consular officers regarding "misrepresentation" under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) § 212(a)(6)(C)(i). In particular, the DOS changed its policy on when a consular officer can...
On Monday, September 11, 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with the Trump Administration, temporarily allowing the travel ban to apply to refugees who have a relationship with a resettlement agency. This stems from a June 26, 2017 decision by the Supreme Court to temporarily...
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is warning residents in Houston, Texas, of criminals in the area posing as agents of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The individuals are reportedly knocking on doors in the area and demanding that the residents evacuate, presumably to then rob...
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released a revised version of the employment eligibility verification form (I-9 form). Employers may start using the new I-9 now, and must use it beginning September 18, 2017. Background on Form I-9 U.S. employers and workers are likely familiar...
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently announced expansion of the biometric exit technology pilot program to Washington Dulles International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, and McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. The program uses facial recognition technology...
On July 31, 2017, John Kelly was sworn in as President Trump's new chief of staff, replacing the recently ousted Reince Priebus. Prior to taking on his new role, Kelly had been serving as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), since January...
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), in the broadest sense, provides any person with the right to request access to information and records from any federal government agency. There are many ways that filing a FOIA request can help resolve long-pending immigration cases, but there...
