The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is seeking to collect social media identifiers from visa waiver program (VWP) travelers. This proposal is part of ongoing security-related changes to the VWP. Individuals who use the VWP, or may wish to do so in the future,...
On August 31, 2016, a proposed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) international entrepreneur rule was published in the Federal Register. The proposed rule is aimed at expanding the limited immigration options for foreign entrepreneurs who, in turn, help the U.S. economy by creating jobs, generating...
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has released information on the initiation of an Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS). EVUS is designed to allow those enrolled in the program to update the biographical information of visas. EVUS is scheduled to start in November 2016...
Beginning in approximately January 2017, most nonimmigrant waiver applications that are approved will be granted with validity periods of five-years. Under the current policy, initial nonimmigrant waivers are typically only granted for one or two years. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Admissibility Review...
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) continues its careful expansion of Global Entry, an international trusted traveler program. Effective July 12, 2016, any British citizen, holding a valid U.K. passport, is eligible to apply for a Global Entry permit. Program Background Global Entry is a voluntary...
Every year, the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) Ombudsman submits a report to the U.S. Congress on the state of immigration services within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This report is a key component of the CIS Ombudsman's role. The Ombudsman's office reviews U.S. Citizenship...
On June 30, 2016, President Obama signed a law aimed at strengthening the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The Freedom of Information Improvement Act of 2016 implements policies to increase the transparency by the U.S. federal government. These important changes come on the eve of...
Travelers entering the United States on the visa waiver program (VWP) face additional screening questions when completing the application for Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). These ESTA restrictions are part of the VWP program and are based on an applicant's nationality and/or travel history. Background...
Significant progress has been made toward India's inclusion in the expedited travel program known as Global Entry. After several years of effort, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been entered into between the United States and India, with the goal of facilitating legitimate travel between...
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has started a pilot program intended to streamline the employment-based immigration process for participating employers. The Known Employer pilot is intended to reduce or eliminate the need for repeated review and assessment on the background and bona fides of...
