Ware Immigration Blog

Will esports suffer because of US immigration law?

On behalf of Ware Immigration posted in US Immigration Law on Thursday, September 13, 2018.

Esports are increasingly popular across not just the United States, but the entire world. Louisiana gamers are probably already familiar with the industry, which pits professional video game players against one another in large tournaments. Since esports is a global industry, there are serious considerations when looking at how U.S. immigration law may impact the future of tournaments held in America.

Esports is just one of many industries that heavily relies on foreign talent, and it is feeling the impact of immigration changes made over the past year or so. A very recent policy change went into effect on Sept. 11, 2018, which gets rid of RFEs -- Requests for Additional Evidence. RFEs are important for visa applicants, as they give individuals the opportunity to submit additional material that supports their application. Instead, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services now plans to simply deny any requests that it believes does not include enough supporting material. Deference for prior visa approvals during extension considerations is also no longer in practice.

How does US immigration law handle student visas?

On behalf of Ware Immigration posted in US Immigration Law on Tuesday, September 11, 2018.

Buying books, purchasing supplies and finding the perfect decorations for a dorm room are all part of the college experience, but international students have a bit more on their plate. Students from other countries who wish to study at a Louisiana university or educational institution must first acquire a nonimmigrant student visa. U.S. immigration law requires applicants to meet three criteria to qualify for these types of visas.

Although student visas are most closely associated with college students, individuals seeking vocational or other nonacademic studies may also qualify. First and perhaps most importantly, students must first be accepted as full-time students at a U.S. vocational, educational or language-training program. The institution must also be considered valid by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Who can appeal a visa denial under US immigration law?

On behalf of Ware Immigration posted in US Immigration Law on Friday, August 31, 2018.

Applying for a visa is a lengthy process. The wait may feel worth it in the long run for those who successfully obtain their visas to come to Louisiana, but what about hopeful immigrants whose applications are denied? Appeals are an integral part of U.S. immigration law that can give people a second chance at coming to America.

An appeal of a visa application denial can only be filed by the person who filed the original application or petition. If it was in an individual, then that person must make the appeal. Companies who filed the application on a potential employee's behalf are responsible for appealing any denied work visas. Applicants must also notify the courts of their intentions to use legal counsel, which must be done through an official form at the time of the appeal.

Employment immigration for businesses

On behalf of Ware Immigration posted in Employment Immigration on Wednesday, August 29, 2018.

Immigrants are an integral part of the Louisiana economy. Many businesses rely on these workers to fill specific roles within their companies. Without immigrants, some companies would simply not be able to continue operations. Employment immigration may be an ideal option for getting the right people here, but it can be a complicated matter.

If your company needs to fill a position that requires a bachelor's degree in that specific field and hires someone from outside the United States, you can apply for an H-1B visa on that individual's behalf. These are typically for professionals who work in a specialty field and who have completed the normal training or education requirements. Such fields can range from doctors and pharmacists to librarians and teachers.

US government to give $10 million in citizenship grants

On behalf of Ware Immigration posted in US Citizenship on Thursday, August 23, 2018.

Becoming a citizen is a monumental achievement for Louisiana immigrants. However, it is not always an easy path, and many find they are met with unexpected hurdles. The U.S. government recently announced that it will spend as much as $10 million to make the process a little smoother for immigrants hoping to obtain citizenship.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services plans to provide grants through the Citizenship Assimilation Grant Program. The agency says it has up to $10 million in grants to help subsidize the cost of citizenship preparation programs. These programs take place all across the nation and help immigrants prepare for the process ahead of them. The agency also addressed concerns about where the money would come from, saying fees and other funds it collects through regular operation are sufficient for supporting the grant program.

When can I apply for citizenship?

On behalf of Ware Immigration posted in US Citizenship on Thursday, August 16, 2018.

Becoming a citizen of the United States is a decision that immigrants put a lot of time, energy and thought into. There is no doubt that applying for citizenship is a monumental step. However, before starting the process, applicants in Louisiana must meet several requirements.

Immigrants must mark off a long list of requirements before they can even apply to become a citizen. Most of these are concrete requirements that can easily be verified, such as holding a valid green card, being at least 18 years of age and having lived in America for five years or longer. Immigrants must also have been physically present in the United States for half of those five years and cannot have been outside of the country for more than one year.

Will a citizenship question appear on the next census?

On behalf of Ware Immigration posted in US Citizenship on Friday, August 3, 2018.

The 2020 U.S. census is set to ask respondents whether they are citizens. This move has many people in Louisiana worried, with some wondering if their responses could jeopardize their status in the country. However, activists are fighting back against the citizenship question, with at least one federal lawsuit moving forward.

The census is a vital aspect of the Constitution. It must occur every 10 years and include a count of all living individuals -- not just citizens -- inside the United States. The last time the citizenship question was included on the census was back in 1950. It was not the Census Bureau's idea to reinstate the question, though. That decision was made by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.

Baseball player leaves game early for citizenship ceremony

On behalf of Ware Immigration posted in US Citizenship on Thursday, July 26, 2018.

From minimum-wage jobs to corporate positions, immigrants fill important jobs all across America. Some of the of the most high-profile jobs an immigrant can hold is one that puts them in the spotlight, such as that of professional athlete. Baseball fans in Louisiana might have noticed that a Major League Baseball player recently achieved citizenship.

Fernando Rodney -- a pitcher for the Twins -- appeared before the sixth inning of a recent game, which is unheard of. For the past 13 years, Rodney has only appeared on the field from the seventh inning on. Although some speculated that the manager had some ulterior strategy up his sleeve, he insisted that was not the case. Instead, Rodney left to become a U.S. citizen.

Will US immigration law permit my spouse to move here?

On behalf of Ware Immigration posted in US Immigration Law on Thursday, July 19, 2018.

Getting married usually means selecting a venue, picking out outfits and planning a honeymoon. For some couples, though, the process is much more involved. Louisiana citizens who marry foreign spouses must apply for their partner to enter the United States legally with a green card. However, US immigration law is complicated, and couples must prepare to pass an interview with immigration authorities.

Couples seeking a marriage-based green card must prove that their union is genuine in an interview, during which an immigration officer will question them on crucial aspects of their relationship. These interviews are meant to weed out those who are potentially trying to help one person gain a green card through a fraudulent marriage. Couples who "fail" the first interview can try again to demonstrate the authenticity of their marriage in a Stokes interview, which is typically longer and more detail-oriented than initial interviews.

Is US immigration law too restrictive when it comes to workers?

On behalf of Ware Immigration posted in US Immigration Law on Monday, July 16, 2018.

Modern economists seem to agree on one thing -- immigration boosts the economy. This is in stark contrast to how most lawmakers view the matter, as many claim that they must place limits on employment immigration to prevent too many immigrants from filling positions that could otherwise go to U.S. citizens. However, a few key factors point make it clear why the current restrictive U.S. immigration law may not be the best thing for the Louisiana economy.

Although it may be hard to believe, there is a labor shortage in the United States. Couple this with approximately 2.4 million new jobs over the last year and there are bound to be problems. But why can companies not fill these some of these positions? In short, American workers are aging. The United States is set to make national history in 2035, when the number of people over 65 is predicted to outnumber those younger than 18.