With US immigration policies under heightened scrutiny, business travelers and the companies abroad that dispatch them must be particularly mindful of entry requirements and restrictions when visiting the United States.

Even with a valid B-1 (business visitor) / B-2 (visitor for pleasure) visa or ESTA visa-waiver authorization allowing WB (waiver business) or WT (waiver tourist) admission, each entry is assessed individually, and a traveler’s failure to adhere to permitted activities and legal constraints could result in delays, additional questioning, or even denial of entry and a future bar to reentry.

Read the full article here.

More than any other year, 2024 saw global politics dominate media headlines, with over half the global population heading to the polls. This election cycle marked a significant political shift from earlier years.

In many European countries, and more recently in the US, new governments have taken office with the promise of implementing different policies to their predecessors in a range of areas. This raises questions about globalization, defence, and trade policies, as well as—crucially—immigration.

Multinationals can’t afford to stand still and should implement workforce strategies that are adaptable, proactive, and innovative.

Read more here.

The recent flurry of Executive Orders issued by President Trump in the weeks since his inauguration has significantly impacted legal immigration in the United States. These directives, aimed at enhancing border security and enforcing far stricter immigration policies, have created a complex web of challenges for law-abiding noncitizens and US businesses seeking employment-based immigration benefits on their behalf.

This article, available both as a summary and as a comprehensive review of these Executive Orders, describes the multifaceted, nuanced effects of these Executive Orders, exploring how federal immigration officials implementing the Executive Orders have already reshaped the legal immigration process and what they mean for US firms sponsoring foreign nationals who seek to enter, work and live in the United States.

Access the summary and full article here.

With an array of Executive Orders (EOs), President Trump has affirmed his commitment to controlling immigration as a core priority of his second term, emphasizing the need to enforce stricter immigration policies and prioritize national security.

An efficient and surefire way to implement these Trump administration priorities—both stanching illegal immigration and fostering legal immigration—is readily available in the form of a revitalized and expanded stateside visa renewal program similar to a pilot program that expired on 1 March 2024.

Access the article here.

This article was originally published by WERC. It can also be accessed on their website here.

On February 28, 2025 the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) released a policy memorandum that expands the circumstances under which USCIS will issue a Notice to Appear (NTA) to initiate removal proceedings against a noncitizen.

The policy, effective immediately, expands USCIS authority to refer individuals for removal proceedings following the denial of an application for an immigration benefit, if the noncitizen is no longer lawfully present in the United States. The policy exempts beneficiaries of employment-based petitions from the policy, but does not exempt their dependent family members. The policy also expands USCIS authority to initiate removal proceedings against certain noncitizens with criminal charges, arrests, or convictions.

Learn more in this Alert.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced plans to implement a new registration requirement for all noncitizens to facilitate compliance with the “Protecting the American People Against Invasion” Executive Order issued by President Trump.

The implementation of this requirement will lay the groundwork for the federal government to enforce civil and criminal penalties against noncitizens who fail to register, or fail to carry proof of their registration.

Read the full Alert here.

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has partially vacated the July 1, 2024 decision regarding Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti. The February 2025 DHS decision changes the previously scheduled expiration date for Haiti TPS from 18 months to 12 months. Absent DHS action, the TPS designation for Haitian nationals and associated EADs will now end on August 3, 2025.

Find out the details in this Alert.

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has enacted an indefinite pause on all immigration applications filed by or on behalf of individuals in multiple parole programs, per a recently reported DHS internal memo. Programs affected include the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) and Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV) parole programs.

Learn more in this Alert.

The US Department of State has confirmed changes to its policies on waiver of nonimmigrant visa interviews, including eligibility criteria. These changes are effective immediately and apply across US embassies and consulates worldwide.

Read about the anticipated impacts in this Alert.

The US Embassy and Consulates General have announced several important changes to consular processing. These changes include updates to scheduling procedures, interview waiver criteria, and communication preferences.

Read about these updates in this Alert.

On January 23, 2025, a US District Court Judge granted a temporary restraining order halting the implementation of President Trump’s Executive Order aiming to end birthright citizenship for children born on or after February 19, 2025. This temporary restraining order was set to expire within 14 days.

Now, two federal judges have issued preliminary injunctions preventing its enforcement through the duration of legal proceedings.

Learn more in this Alert.

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has vacated the January 10, 2025 decision by former Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas regarding Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela. The prior decision extended the 2023 TPS designation for Venezuela by 18 months, consolidated filing processes for both the 2021 and 2023 designations, and extended certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).

The vacatur is effective immediately. Thus, the 2023 TPS designation for Venezuelan nationals and associated EADs will expire after April 2, 2025, and those who registered under the 2021 Venezuela TPS designation will have their protections end on September 10, 2025.

Learn more in this Alert.

On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued 26 Executive Orders and additional actions focused on immigration enforcement, with significant impacts on legal, employment-based immigration. The directives include stricter vetting processes, potential delays in visa processing, and heightened scrutiny for foreign workers, especially those from countries facing visa bans.

In this article, we assess foreseeable changes to the US employment-based immigration system likely to result from these directives and suggest preliminary steps for mobility professionals to consider as developments unfold.

A US District Court Judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s Executive Order aimed at ending birthright citizenship.

The Judge asserted that the 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to all individuals born in the United States, regardless of their parents’ immigration status.

Learn more in this Alert.

In this Alert, we highlight two updates on the Trump Administration’s recent immigration policy changes.

• First, there has been recent activity in reaction to the birthright citizenship executive order that was signed on January 20, 2025. Since issuing the order, twenty-two states and various organizations have filed lawsuits alleging the Executive Order violates the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution.
• Second, in an effort to reform the immigration system, President Trump dismissed four senior officials of the Executive Office for Immigration Review.

On January 20th, 2025, shortly after newly elected President Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the next President of the United States, the President issued a series of Executive Orders over a broad range of topics, including immigration, energy, crime, and the structure of the government. Many of the Executive Orders fulfill campaign promises that were made during the course of the election season.

Read the summary of immigration-related Executive Orders that were issued on January 20th and the potential impact each order may have on immigration in the United States in this Alert.

A spirited online debate erupted in the last few weeks about the merits of the H-1B visa program, which enables US employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations.

Out in front, arguing in favor of the program was Tesla and SpaceX CEO, Elon Musk, who has become a close confidant of President-Elect Trump in recent months, and former pharmaceutical executive, Vivek Ramawswamy, who with Musk, will lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency. Opposing views were expressed by many online influencers who feel that the program is detrimental to the job prospects of skilled American workers.

As frequently occurs in such highly charged debates, many of the arguments were based on information that is not completely (or not at all) true. In this Law360 article, Vialto Law (US) PLLC's Angelo Paparelli shared his views. (A subscription is required for access to the full story.)

With the next President now confirmed, mobility professionals should take immediate proactive measures in the runup to inauguration on January 20.

Here, we suggest steps organizations can start taking now to deal with the uncertain future that lies ahead. Download the article