News

With an unprecedented local increase in enforcement activity by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) based on the Trump administration’s shifting enforcement priorities, Whiteman Osterman & Hanna’s removal and deportation defense services provide a local option for representation of detainees subject to ICE enforcement action.  Historically, options were limited for representation of these detainees, with most being transferred to immigration detention facilities [...]

On September 5, 2017, the administration of President Donald Trump announced the end to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program – more commonly known as “DACA.”  The Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Elaine Duke, issued a memorandum officially rescinding the program that had been in place since June 2012.  On September 8, 2017, the University of California filed a complaint challenging the rescission of the DACA program and [...]

Whiteman Osterman & Hanna immigration partner L.J. D'Arrigo was featured in a recent article in the Saratogian focusing on recent immigration policy changes and the effect on horse racing and backstretch workers.  To view the full article, please click here.

The Trump Administration has declared war on legal, employment-based immigration. Not since the Chinese Exclusion Acts of the 1800’s have we seen such restrictionist views on immigration policy, particularly in the area of employment-based immigration. Without a change in immigration regulations, the Trump Administration is quietly erecting a “silent wall” creating barriers and unattainable high standards in the adjudications process, which often exceed regulatory intent. The [...]

USCIS announced on October 23, 2017 that prior policy guidance previously issued by the agency directing officers to give deference to the findings of a previously approved petition is rescinded. Under updated policy guidance, USCIS is instructing its officers to apply the same level of scrutiny to both initial petitions and extension requests for certain nonimmigrant visa categories. The guidance applies to nearly all nonimmigrant classifications filed using Form I-129, [...]