Recent reports have raised serious questions about the authority Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers may be asserting when conducting home enforcement actions. In particular, concerns have emerged about ICE relying on administrative warrants, rather than warrants signed by a judge, when attempting to enter private residences.
This issue...
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has launched Project Firewall, a new enforcement initiative focused on strengthening compliance with the H-1B visa program and protecting U.S. workers from improper displacement.
Project Firewall is designed to hold employers accountable for misuse of the H-1B program and...
For individuals who are inadmissible to Canada due to criminal history or other issues, a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) may allow entry for a specific purpose and limited period of time.
A TRP does not erase inadmissibility, but it can provide temporary access when there is a valid reason...
Canadian citizenship by descent allows certain individuals born or adopted outside Canada to claim citizenship through a Canadian parent. While this pathway has existed for decades, the rules are complex and have changed over time.
Understanding eligibility requires careful review of family history and applicable laws.
The H-1B visa program permits a United States employer (“employer”) to temporarily employ nonimmigrants to fill specialized jobs in the United States. The Immigration and Nationality Act (the “INA” or the “Act”) requires that an employer pay an H-1B worker the higher of the actual wage or the local prevailing wage, in...
Employers who seek to hire an H-1B nonimmigrant in a specialty occupation must first make a filing with the Department of Labor (DOL) and obtain a Labor Condition Application (LCA). The LCA, among other things, must specify the number of workers sought, the occupational classification in which...
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has begun taking a closer look at how forms and supporting documents are signed. In recent cases, USCIS has issued Requests for Evidence (RFEs) and Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs) when signatures appear inconsistent with agency requirements.
These issues are avoidable, but...
Our latest U.S. and Canadian Immigration & Nationality Law Newsletter highlights critical developments affecting employers, families, and international travelers. This edition covers recent court action blocking the termination of certain family reunification parole benefits, upcoming USCIS policy shifts impacting work authorization renewals, expanded visa bond requirements, and important compliance reminders for employers....
Canada offers a flexible work permit option for entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals who want to actively operate a business in Canada. Commonly referred to as the C11 work permit, this category falls under Canada’s International Mobility Program and allows qualifying applicants to work in Canada without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Each year, employers sponsor professionals working in the United States in L-1 status for the H-1B cap lottery. For many organizations, this dual strategy is part of long-term workforce planning, designed to provide flexibility and continuity for key employees.
With rising government filing fees and increased scrutiny around H-1B processing...
