News

The Trump Administration has declared war on legal, employment-based immigration. Not since the Chinese Exclusion Acts of the 1800’s have we seen such restrictionist views on immigration policy, particularly in the area of employment-based immigration. Without a change in immigration regulations, the Trump Administration is quietly erecting a “silent wall” creating barriers and unattainable high standards in the adjudications process, which often exceed regulatory intent. The [...]

Despite legal challenges and separate statewide rulings, the Supreme Court has given the third version of the Trump administration’s travel ban the green light.  The administration can now fully enforce its restrictions on travel from eight nations – Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen. Restrictions vary between the nations, but most citizens will find themselves unable to emigrate permanently to the U.S., and some may further be barred from [...]

ALBANY, N.Y. (November 28, 2017) – Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, the Capital Region’s largest law firm, announces a new immigration attorney:  Cianna Freeman-Tolbert.  Ms. Freeman-Tolbert joins Whiteman Osterman & Hanna’s Immigration Practice Group.  Her practice will focus on immigration litigation including removal and deportation defense.  Ms. Freeman-Tolbert brings a wealth of experience in immigration court proceedings and immigration [...]

USCIS announced on October 23, 2017 that prior policy guidance previously issued by the agency directing officers to give deference to the findings of a previously approved petition is rescinded. Under updated policy guidance, USCIS is instructing its officers to apply the same level of scrutiny to both initial petitions and extension requests for certain nonimmigrant visa categories. The guidance applies to nearly all nonimmigrant classifications filed using Form I-129, [...]

Brendan Venter, an Associate with Whiteman Osterman & Hanna's Immigration Practice Group, recently authored an article titled Dream On: The Elimination of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Looking Ahead for Former “Dreamers” that was published in The Student Affairs Compliance Report & Analysis, a newsletter geared towards college/university student affairs staff. Please click here to view the article, which begins on page 5 of the newsletter.  [...]