Tag: DHS

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is an automated system that assists in determining eligibility to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and whether such travel poses any law enforcement or security risk. Upon completion of your ESTA application, you will be […]

On January 13, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that noncitizen workers who are victims of, or witnesses to, the violation of labor rights, can now access a streamlined and expedite deferred action request process. Deferred action protects noncitizen workers from threats of immigration-related retaliation from the exploitive employers. Effective immediately, this […]

As of December 23, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility final rule has been in effect. This final rule provides clarity and consistency for noncitizens on how DHS will administer the public charge ground of inadmissibility. The rule restores the historical understanding of a “public charge” that had been […]

Title 42 is a public health order instated in 2020 to protect Americans from the spread of COVID-19. The order requires immediate expulsion of certain noncitizens that cross the border unauthorized. Under the order, access to asylum and humanitarian protections are sharply curtailed due to the rapid nature of expulsions. The order was scheduled to […]

On October 31, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implemented their final rule to preserve and fortify Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). This means that DACA is now based on a formal regulation, thereby preserving and fortifying the program while the program remains the subject of litigation in court. Previously, DACA was based […]

Here is a an update on expedited EADs for healthcare and childcare workers in the US. Expedited Processing of EADs for Healthcare and Childcare Workers Any healthcare workers or childcare workers who have a valid immigration status and have an initial Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) that has been pending for over 90 days […]

What is a Conditional Discharge? Under New York Penal Law section 65.05, a conditional discharge is a sentence that a judge can impose if they believe that neither a sentence of imprisonment nor one of periodic imprisonment or probation supervision is appropriate based on the nature and circumstances of the offense and the history, character, […]

On September 29, 2022, USCIS awarded nearly $20 million in grants to 66 organizations in 35 states to help prepare lawful permanent residents (LPRs) and those with a clear pathway to lawful permanent residency for naturalization. These grants were made possible thanks to funding provided by Congress, which doubled the funding available for fiscal year […]

The Department of Homeland Security has issued a final rule that will preserve and fortify the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy. DACA allows certain eligible noncitizens who arrived in the United States as children, specifically those who arrived prior to turning 16, to defer their removal and apply for a renewable, two-year work […]

On June 27, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the open application period for the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program. The Program provides funding for citizenship preparation programs in communities nationally. Up to $20 million in grants will be available, which doubles last year’s available funding of $10 million.  The Program will enable […]