BAL Immigration Report

The Biden administration pursues a crowded regulatory agenda for 2024.  Passport processing times reach pre-pandemic levels. And a look at what current labor market trends mean for immigration programs this year. We cover all of this and more on this week's BAL Immigration Report.  Guest: Josiah Curtis.

Business and immigration coalitions call for changes to the H-1B lottery.  Visa Bulletin priority dates jump forward. And the State Department gears up to begin a domestic visa renewal pilot program for some H-1B holders. We cover all of this and more on this week's BAL Immigration Report.  Guests: Josiah Curtis, Tiffany Derentz.

On today's BAL Immigration Report, we look back at some of the most important business immigration stories of 2023. Proposed fee hikes. Domestic visa renewal. And forthcoming changes to the H-1B program. We cover all of this and more on this week's BAL Immigration Report.  Guests: Amy Lighter, Tiffany Derentz, Steven Plastrik, Michelle Funk and Martin Robles-Avila.

The State Department's domestic visa renewal pilot program takes shape. Foreign nationals prepare for a busy holiday travel season. And a look at how the Biden administration's approach to supplemental H-2B visa allocations are changing employer strategies. We cover all of this and more on this week's BAL Immigration Report.  Guest: Ashley Foret Dees.  

State Department data shows a dramatic increase in the number of visas issued last fiscal year. Colleges say the need clarity on name, image and likeness rules for foreign student athletes.   And the benefits of Temporary Protected Status for employers and individuals.    Guests: Gabriel Castro, Jeff Joseph.  Uneven playing field: F-1 college athletes, NIL and the need for government action: https...

Lawmakers reach a deal to avert a government shutdown. The government publishes a regulation on additional H-2B visas. And a new report estimates the economic cost of the U.S. green card backlog. We cover all this and more on this week's BAL Immigration Report. Guest: Jack Malde. Green Light to Growth: Estimating the Economic Benefits of Clearing Green Card Backlogs: https://bipartisanpolicy.org/r...

The business community shows support for Dreamers. The Biden administration announces additional H-2B visas. And more on the role immigration could play in the development of AI in the United States. We cover all this and more on this week's BAL Immigration Report. Guest: Michelle Funk.

The White House calls for streamlined immigration policies for AI workers. A temporary policy that provided longer automatic extensions of employment authorization documents has expired. And the baseball playoffs highlight a trend involving visitors from Venezuela. We cover all this and more on this week's BAL Immigration Report. Guest: Gabriel Castro. BAL H-1B webinar: www.bal.com/perspectives/ba...

Israeli nationals are now eligible for visa-free travel to the United States. Europe officially postpones its travel authorization program. And U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services proposes big changes to the H-1B lottery. Guest: Steve Plastrik. BAL Community webinar on H-1B modernization proposal: https://www.bal.com/perspectives/bal-events/proposed-h-1b-modernization-rule-hosted-by-bal-comm...

A proposal to modify the H-1B and F-1 visa programs clears White House review. The U.S. halts visa services in Israel. And an interview with BAL CEO Jeremy Fudge. Guest: Jeremy Fudge. 

Passport wait times finally begin to improve. Domestic Visa Renewal could be a game-changer—but will take time and resources. And a look at the impact artificial intelligence may have on immigration law. Guest: Edward Rios.  2024 Best Lawyers Immigration Law Legal Guide: Domestic Visa Renewal: https://www.bestlawyers.com/article/domestic-visa-renewal-explained/5564 WERC Global Workforce Symposium:...

Government is open—for now. The Supreme Court declines to hear a case challenging Optional Practical Training. And employers turn an eye toward the upcoming H-1B cap season.  Guests: Nazish Ali, Dave Wagner.  H-1B Cap Season Planning Webinar: https://www.bal.com/bal-events/h-1b-cap-season-planning-webinar/  

The government is on the verge of shutting down. The Biden administration announces new immigration measures, including extended Employment Authorization Documents. And analysis from the head of BAL's Government Strategies team on why immigration is important to national security and global competitiveness. Guest: Lynden Melmed. Quick Links Get Embed Player Share on Social Download Audio File  

A proposed H-1B regulation is under White House Review. The October Visa Bulletin shows advancement in key employment-based categories. And analysis from the head of BAL's Government Strategies team on why comprehensive immigration reform has proved so challenging.  Guest: Lynden Melmed

A federal judge rules against Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. The State Department announces it has issued all available Diversity Visas. And we sit down with BAL's new managing partner.  Guest: Frieda Garcia. BAL Proudly Appoints Frieda Garcia to Serve as Managing Partner: https://www.bal.com/press-releases/bal-proudly-appoints-frieda-garcia-to-serve-as-managing-partner/ ; https://www.prn...

A policy that allows visa applicants more time to book appointments is coming to an end. The State Department's forthcoming domestic visa renewal pilot is expected to help reduce workloads abroad. And a look at the benefits and drawbacks of E-Verify. We cover all this and more on this week's BAL Immigration Report. Guest: Maggie Murphy. What the New U.S. Domestic Visa Stamp Renewal Pilot Means for...

A temporary policy on employment authorization extensions is set to end. Student visa issuance is on the rise. And a look at the impact of USCIS processing delays.   We cover all this and more on this week's BAL Immigration Report. Guest: Nassim Mahzoon.

An important I-9 deadline will arrive next week. The Biden administration extends Temporary Protected Status for Sudan and Ukraine. And European countries move to establish a new travel authorization system. We cover all this and more on this week's BAL Immigration Report. Guests: Monika Gilliam and Jonathan Nagel. Plan Now for Europe's New Travel Authorization Requirement: https://www.bal.com/bal...

The State Department publishes a new proposal on allowing third parties at interviews for U.S. citizen services. Foreign musicians and artists express concern about proposed filing fee increases. And a look at how passport applications have swamped the State Department — and what that means for business. Guests: Tiffany Derentz and Paulina Morelos. Potential Increases in Visa Fees for Internationa...

Lawmakers introduce a Name, Image and Likeness bill with new provisions for F-1 student athletes. The U.S. curtails consular services in Niger. And a closer look at USCIS' second H-1B lottery.  We cover all this and more on this week's BAL Immigration Report. Guest: Matt Dillinger.

USCIS completes a second H-1B registration lottery. The U.S. limits Hungarian citizens' access to the visa waiver program. And a look at J-1 visa opportunities for STEM researchers and specialists — and how they could help keep the U.S. competitive in the global economy. We cover all this and more on this week's BAL Immigration Report. Guests: Jennifer Clinton and Cyn Rowan

The Department of Homeland Security publishes a much-anticipated Form I-9 rule. USCIS announces it will conduct a second H-1B lottery. And a closer look at two recent Supreme Court cases and their impact on DACA litigation. We cover all this and more on this week's BAL Immigration Report. Guest: Martin Robles-Avila. Practical Alternatives to H-1B Visas: https://www.bal.com/bal-perspectives/practic...

The Justice Department questions states' standing to challenge DACA. Proposed H-2 regulations are under White House review. And a new Form I-9 rule is in the works — but may not take effect in time for employers relying on COVID-related flexible measures.  We cover all this and more on this week's BAL Immigration Report. Guest: Kelli Duehning.

Form I-9 COVID-related flexibilities are set to end on July 31. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services launches a biometrics appointment rescheduling tool. And a look at the immigration consequences of marijuana. Guest: Jeff Joseph. 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services opens its E-Verify NextGen demonstration project for comments. The State Department plans to launch a pilot program to adjudicate domestic renewals. And a look at where P-1 visa regulations fall short.   Guest: J. Gabriel Castro.  https://www.bal.com/bal-perspectives/proving-you-are-extraordinary-the-o-1-visa-alternative-to-the-h-1b-lottery/