Travel Ban 2.0 Goes into Effect Today
On June 27, 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that certain aspects of the Trump Administration’s travel ban would take effect. Oral arguments on the travel ban will be heard by the court in October 2017. Thus, it is likely that there will be no decision on the ultimate fate of the travel ban until December 2017, well after the 90-day and 120-day effective periods of the ban should be over.
Federal Judges Prohibit Key Provisions of Travel Ban 2.0
Just hours before the Trump Administration’s March 6th Executive Order (“Travel Ban 2.0”) went into effect, federal judges made nationwide rulings that kept key provisions of the order from being implemented. Both decisions, from federal judges in Hawaii and Maryland, agree that the travel ban was likely intended to discriminate against Muslims.
March 6, 2017 Travel Ban vs. January 27, 2017 Travel Ban
What is the difference between today’s travel ban and the previous one that was signed on January 27, 2017?
USCIS Issues New Fee Schedule
USCIS has issued guidance indicating that their fees will increase for many visa programs starting December 23, 2016. For our clients, it is important to note that there have been increases for many of the forms associated with employment-based and investment-based immigration programs. There has also been an increase in the USCIS Immigrant Fee.
For a list of all of the new USCIS fees, please visit: USCIS Fee Schedule