The “extreme vetting” that the Trump administration has recently promised to come in US immigration is now being implemented across US Consulates and Embassies. Foreign citizens from various countries applying for a US visa may now be required to disclose all social media usernames, email addresses, and phone numbers used over the previous five years.   Under the new ruling, applicants must...

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The number of international graduates from U.S. colleges, who stay in the country to work, has steadily increased in the past few years, American fact tank Pew Research revealed.   According to its latest study, the federal government approved at least 700,000 Optional Practical Training program (OPT) applications from the fiscal year 2008 through to 2014.   The OPT is a program designed by...

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Every year, in April, a total of 65,000 H-1B visas are made available to all US employers who want to sponsor foreign workers so that they can fill vacant, industry-crucial job posts in their respective companies. The number of available slots each year suggests that the visa program is very accessible, especially with an additional 20,000 set aside for workers with advanced degrees, meaning a...

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On E-2 Investor Visa: Why It’s Popular and How to Qualify   The E-2 Investor Visa, a little-known visa program that allows foreign citizens to start up a business or invest in an existing industry, has been increasing in popularity over the past few years. According to data from the US government, it has brought more immigrants than the EB-5 visas by over 400 percent since 1994 to 2013 and...

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Hawaii issues first legal move to challenge Trump’s revised travel ban   The Pacific state has become the first US state to take legal action to stop President Donald Trump’s newest travel ban that prohibits citizens from select Islamic countries from entering the country.     On Thursday, March 9, the state asked the federal court to issue a nationwide temporary restraining order (TRO)...

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  ​ BREAKING: President Trump signs revised travel ban executive order   Starting March 16, 2017, citizens of various Muslim-majority countries such as Iran, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen will no longer gain access to all US ports of entry. The executive order, signed by US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, March 7, will last up to 90 days or until further notice.     "Whenever...

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  If there’s one thing that is unique about the new administration, then it would be its penchant for flip-flopping on statements. We say the “administration” and not just “the president” since even his staff seem to have gotten the about-face bug.   This has harmed the people and put them in a state of perplexity. For instance, no one would know if a statement is official unless the press...

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Trump proves he’s not your usual president, but does America like it?   There’s no denying that Donald Trump is one unconventional leader. Unconventional to the point that he’s both decisive and impulsive, traits that could make or break a leader, needless to mention a country. He has already proven that he embodies both these two when he wasted no time in fulfilling at least a small...

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President Donald Trump’s first days in office could be considered well spent regarding the issuing of several executive orders. On his third full working day, he ordered the construction of a U.S.-Mexican border wall and punishment for cities shielding illegal immigrants as he launched broad plans to reshape U.S. immigration and national security policy.    On Wednesday, he signaled a tough...

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  Hiring an immigration lawyer can be the best thing you do for your chances of successfully obtaining a U.S. visa, green card, or other immigration benefits -- if you choose the right lawyer. The practice of immigration law is unlike most areas of law. Your lawyer will not only perform services for you but also become your advocate in dealing with often difficult and unpredictable...

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