In 2000, the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act became law. This led to the T nonimmigrant status, and it gave authorities more power to investigate crimes such as human trafficking. Most victims of human trafficking are poor or otherwise vulnerable....
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U.S. Immigration Law
Some H-1B visas still allow for faster application processing
Prospective visa applicants who are interested in working in Maryland might already be aware of the suspension of premium expedited processing for H-1B visa applications that took place in April. The premium processing, which was suspended by the U.S. Citizenship and...
Temporary work visa program expands
A one-time increase in the number of temporary work visas allowed for up to 15,000 additional workers to enter the United States for companies hiring under the H-2B program. For Maryland immigrants, it is important to note that the emergency measure does not include...
Homeland Security releases immigration data
Some Maryland residents who are applying for green cards may be among the majority of green card recipients who are already in the U.S. on some form of temporary visa. According to figures released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, of the roughly 1 million...
What to do when family members are detained by ICE
Families in Maryland that include undocumented members may be unsure of how to deal with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement when they hold these members of the family. It is crucial to remember that when undocumented family members are detained by...
Visa applicants to face social media background checks
Maryland residents will likely know that immigration has been a hot-button topic. President Trump's controversial travel ban has been struck down by federal courts and may ultimately be resolved by the Supreme Court, but other efforts designed to tighten border...
Extreme vetting questionnaire approved
President Trump has approved as part of his extreme vetting program involving prospective immigrants a questionnaire that asks for biographical information going back 15 years. Those looking to immigrate to Maryland or elsewhere in the United States will also have to...
Fewer citizens of travel ban countries visiting U.S.
Maryland residents will likely recall the furor that surrounded President Trump's January 2017 executive order that banned citizens from seven primarily Muslim countries from entering the U.S. A federal court judge soon lifted the travel ban, and the Supreme Court may...
Options to change visa status
People from abroad who are visiting Maryland and decide that they want to further their education may be able to switch their visas from visitor to student status. However, it is important to know that foreign nationals are generally not allowed to attend school...
USCIS receives 199,000 applications for 86,000 H-1B visas
The H-1B non-immigrant visa program allows employers in Maryland and around the country to hire highly-skilled foreign workers. The program aims to nurture innovation by ensuring that American companies are able to attract workers with credentials and experience in...