Immigration Law Facts and Issues - Articles by Richard Hanus - USA Visa Counsel.com » Foreign Exchange Student Visas to the U.S.

Information For Visitors Thinking About Extending Their Visit or Changing to Student Status

Admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:38:24 +0000

Foreign nationals entering the U.S. on a B-1/B-2 visa are generally granted 6 months at their port-of-entry to accomplish the purpose of their trip, be it for pleasure or business. Most visitors for business or pleasure do not remain in the U.S. for the entire 6 months, since they have [...]

CIR ASAP

Admin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:02:26 +0000

For about the tenth time in the past decade, I am writing about a new legislative initiative presented to allow for the legalization of the vast majority of those present in the U.S. in violation of our immigration laws. This time, the initiative is called Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s [...]

New Filing Instructions for Residents Seeking to Renew Resident Cards

Admin — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:46:25 +0000

US lawful permanent residents renewing their Permanent Resident Cards by way of direct mailing of Form I-90 (as opposed to online filing) should pay attention to two important changes.

Firstly, I-90 applicants are now instructed to file their supporting documentation when submitting their application, as opposed to only presenting it when [...]

Will Durbin’s DREAM (Act) Ever Come True?

Admin — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:43:45 +0000

There are a multitude of perspectives in the debate about how our country should fix the problem of having 10 to 20 million undocumented individuals residing here. Days ago, Senator Dick Durbin (D) of Illinois once again has introduced legislation before the U.S. Senate to establish a “path [...]

UPDATE: The Truth about Foreign Nurses and US Immigration Law

Admin — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:00:10 +0000

As of this writing there truly is no speedy and simple way to facilitate the issuance of either immigrant or temporary work visas for Registered Nurses from most foreign nations (Canada and Mexico are the only exceptions). Knowing the truth about foreign nurses and US immigration law is critical, specifically [...]

CIS Issues New Rule Regarding OPT Program

Richard Hanus — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:00:36 +0000

The OPT (Optional Practical Training) program allows nonimmigrants who are in the United States – usually following the completion of their F-1 program – to temporarily, and with authorization, work in their field of training for one year.

The Department of Homeland Security has made two changes to the OPT program, [...]

DREAM Act Proposal Shot Down Again

Richard Hanus — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 21:00:36 +0000

The most current version of the DREAM Act (which has been an evolving congressional concept since 2001) fell eight votes short of passing a Senate test vote on October 24, meaning that the bill will not be debated or amended.

The demised bill, sponsored by Democrat Senator Durbin of Illinois and [...]

False Claims to U.S. Citizenship

Richard Hanus — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 21:00:36 +0000

Lying about one’s immigration status can have serious consequences, especially when it involves a false claim to U.S. citizenship. A false claim to U.S. citizenship can mean an applicant will forever be barred from obtaining U.S. permanent residence, or for those already lawful permanent residents (”green card” holder), being denied [...]

U.S. Department of State: New Guidance for Student Visa Issuance

Richard Hanus — Tue, 15 Nov 2005 21:00:36 +0000

Although the regulations governing the decision-making process for the issuance of student visas for foreign nationals abroad have not changed, a recent U.S. Department of State’s directive reminds U.S. consular officers of present day realities that need to be taken into account when deciding student visa applications.

First, the essential unchanged [...]

Changing to Student Status while in the U.S. – Do’s and Don’ts

Richard Hanus — Fri, 15 Oct 2004 21:00:36 +0000

To be issued an F-1 student visa at a US consular post outside the US, an applicant must prove, among other things, that a) she has been admitted to an accredited educational program (by presenting a Form I-20 issued by the institution), 2) that funds are available to pay for [...]