Immigration Update with Lin Walker

In this episode, immigration attorney Lin Walker guides us through the essential documentation requirements for F-1 students. From maintaining your academic status to I-20 forms to employment to travel to financial statements, Lin breaks down each critical piece of paperwork needed to secure and maintain your F-1 visa status. Whether you're preparing to study in the U.S. or already navigating the...

In this episode of the Immigration Update Podcast, your host, immigration attorney Lin Walker, explains the consequences of the reinstatement of alien registration requirements in the United States. Originally a 1940s law, requiring non-citizens over 14 to register with the US government, and now being enforced once again, the law forces non-citizens to register with the U.S. government so that th...

In this episode of the Immigration Update Podcast, attorney Lin Walker delves into the critical issue of family separation for mixed citizenship families. With the current focus on immigration enforcement, it's more important than ever for undocumented parents and guardians to prepare for the possibility of separation. Lin discusses essential steps to create a family safety plan, legal preparation...

Current ICE policies and practices are affecting pets as well as people, leading to unexpected heartbreak for families and challenges for already overcrowded animal shelters. In this episode of the Immigration Update Podcast, immigration Attorney Lin Walker explains the impact of immigration enforcement on pets and points the way to resources for families and their beloved animals in case of such...

Did you know that U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers can search your phone, laptop, or tablet when you enter the United States—even if you’re a U.S. citizen? And they don’t need a warrant or suspicion to do it. Immigration attorney Lin Walker discusses essential strategies for safeguarding your data from CBP searches, what you as an international traveler need to know about how to secure...

Recent more restrictive changes to the Trump administration's immigration policies are shaping the educational landscape, affecting both international and domestic students and causing a steep decline in enrollment. Immigration attorney Lin Walker discusses the challenges faced by international students, the ripple effects on domestic education, as well as the effects on the economy and the future...

In this episode of the Immigration Update podcast, host immigration attorney Lin Walker explores the controversial revival of neighborhood checks for citizenship applicants under the Trump administration. Critics argue that these policies are more about intimidation than security, with former INS Commissioner Doris Mesner labeling them as anachronistic. Lin explores the broader implications of the...

In this episode, immigration attorney Lin Walker explains the latest USCIS guidance on TN visas under the USMCA agreement. These changes impact professionals seeking to work in the United States. Lin explores what it means for cross-border employment. In this episode we break down the new guidelines, offering practical advice for navigating the updated visa process. For more details on the USCIS P...

The Trump administration's sweeping immigration review, targeting 55 million visa holders, is reshaping the landscape for international travelers, students, and workers. In this episode of the Immigration Update podcast immigration attorney Lin Walker delves into the implications of continuous vetting, visa revocations, and the halt on commercial truck driver visas. What will be the impact of this...

In this critical episode, immigration attorney Lin Walker delves into the serious consequences of falsely claiming U.S. citizenship. Lin explains the legal and personal ramifications that individuals face when making such claims, shedding light on the complexities and challenges involved. Subscribe to the Immigration Update Podcast to keep up to date with the impact on communities and the importan...

In this episode, immigration attorney Lin Walker delves into the transformative role of electronic payments in streamlining immigration processing. Though USCIS has stated that the aims of requiring digital transactions are reducing wait times, enhancing security, and improving efficiency for both immigrants and officials, the future implications of this change are far reaching. Lin also lists who...

Immigration attorney Lin Walker explains the recent tightening of standards by USCIS on discretionary immigration benefits. USCIS is now evaluating immigration petitioners for possible Anti-American activity, including opinions expressed on social media. This episode provides a comprehensive look at the changes, as well as the implications for First Amendment free speech rights. Don't miss out on...

In this episode of the Immigration Update Podcast immigration attorney Lin Walker outlines the recent changes in US visa policies affecting certain countries. We discuss the potential impact on international travel. Topics Covered: An overview of the new visa regulations, Analysis of the affected countries and regions, Helpful Tips for travelers navigating these changes Stay informed and prepared...

In this episode of the Immigration Update podcast, immigration attorney Lin Walker explores the essential rights and precautions for individuals in detention. Learn about the legal protections available, the importance of knowing your rights, and practical steps to ensure safety and fair treatment. Lin outlines the importance of the right to remain silent and its significance, access to legal coun...

A new season of The Immigration Update podcast begins with a very important episode. Lin is back behind the mic! And just in time because there's been a knock at your door. In this episode of the Immigration Update podcast, we delve into the crucial steps your law firm should take when faced with an ICE visit. We talk about some tips to prepare a written plan, understand the nuances of attorney-cl...

In this episode of our series we are going to talk about the USCIS criterion for an O-1B that requires evidence that the artist “has either commanded a high salary or will command a high salary or other substantial remuneration for services in relation to others in the field, as evidenced by contracts or other reliable evidence”. But what does this mean? What do you need to show to satisfy this cr...

One criterion for the O-1B requires evidence that the artist “has received significant recognition for achievements from organizations, critics, government agencies, or other recognized experts in the field in which the alien is engaged. Such testimonials must be in a form which clearly indicates the author's authority, expertise, and knowledge of the alien's achievements.” But what does this mean...

The USCIS O-1B criterion at 8 CFR §214.2(o)(3)(iv)(B)(4) requires evidence that the artist “has a record of major commercial or critically acclaimed successes as evidenced by such indicators as title, rating, standing in the field, box office receipts, motion pictures or television ratings, and other occupational achievements reported in trade journals, major newspapers, or other publications.” Bu...

Today is part three of our six-part deep dive into the O-1B visa. You can go back to our last two episodes to catch up if you missed them. This series is about the often convoluted language in the USCIS regulations that gets glossed over and misunderstood, and that that people far too often get wrong. One of the criterion for the O-1B that, IMHO, causes the most confusion is evidence that the fore...

Part two of our six-part deep dive into the O-1B visa. The USCIS regulations for the O-1B visa require evidence that the foreign national “has achieved national or international recognition for achievements evidenced by critical reviews or other published materials by or about the individual in major newspapers, trade journals, magazines, or other publications.” What’s so difficult about this crit...

For those of you considering viable options to the H-1B cap we will be doing a deep-dive into the O-1B and O-1A criteria over the next couple of weeks. One of the criterion for the O-1B that causes the most confusion is evidence that the foreign national “has performed, and will perform, services as a lead or starring participant in productions or events which have a distinguished reputation as ev...

There seems to be a disconnect between the USCIS Policy Manual for National Interest Waivers (NIWs) and the real-world. The Policy Manual states, “USCIS recognizes the importance of progress in STEM fields and the essential role of persons with advanced STEM degrees in fostering this progress, especially in focused critical and emerging technologies or other STEM areas important to U.S. competitiv...

On January 31st, USCIS published a new fee schedule (89 FR 6194), which will take effect on April 1, 2024, and significantly impact most employment-based petitions. Most notably, the new fee schedule will add a mandatory Asylum Program Fee to every Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, and Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, filed by for-profit employers. USCIS has published a...

This week on the podcast we discuss the implementation of a beneficiary-centric selection process for the H-1B cap. The new process involves selecting registrations by unique beneficiary, as determined by their biometric information. The episode highlights the important elements of the new rule, including the requirement for a valid passport or travel document and the restriction on multiple regis...

A poorly written our outdated template can wreak havoc on deadlines and cause problems with green card processes that could cause the client’s green card application being denied, the loss of substantial money, and significant delays in ultimately receiving lawful permanent resident status. In this episode of the podcast I will give you an example of one such template from USCIS that did just that...