The Vassell Law Group Immigration PodCast

Stalking, mental abuse, and parental alienation are forms of violence. They are real, destructive, and legally recognized harms that no woman or man—especially a non-citizen whose immigration status depends on a U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse—should ever feel obligated to tolerate. Domestic violence does not have to involve bruises, broken bones, or police reports to be real. For immigr...

When the ground shifts beneath your feet in the United States immigration system—whether through TPS termination, H-1B cancellation, unexpected layoffs, G-4 status ending, or visa status changes—the B-1 business visitor visa can serve as a critical bridge to maintain your lawful status. With 28 years of immigration law experience and over 25 years specializing in G-4 visa matters, our U.S. Immigra...

Understanding the Travel Ban and TPS Changes   Our U.S. immigration lawyers are actively assisting clients affected by recent travel restrictions and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) terminations. If you are a national of Burma (Myanmar), Venezuela, Haiti, or other designated countries, understanding these policy changes is critical to maintaining your legal status in the United States.      What...

Today, a new wave of economic pressure is emerging—U.S. tariffs—and once again, Canadians are left wondering how to stay competitive. But this time, there’s a proven solution: the E-1 and E-2 visa options under the U.S. Bilateral Treaty program. Our lawyers have helped Canadian entrepreneurs, startups, solopreneurs, and midsize companies expand into the U.S. strategically, not just to survive, but...

The H-1B visa program continues to evolve, and 2025 brings significant changes that will impact both employers and applicants. Whether you're an employer looking to hire skilled foreign workers or a professional hoping to secure an H-1B visa, our U.S. Immigration lawyers can help you understand these updates that are crucial for a successful application process. H-1B Visa Changes Effective as of 2...

In today’s unpredictable immigration landscape, a temporary Federal Hiring Freeze is leaving many non-immigrant visa holders—whether you're an H-1B professional, an F-1 student, or a J-1 participant—grappling with uncertainty about your future in the United States. With government agencies and many companies slowing or halting new hires, the question looms large: How can you remain and thrive in t...

Part I:  Understanding the Serious Consequences of Criminal Charges for Non-Citizens Life is unpredictable. Over the years, our Immigration attorneys have stepped in to help F-1 international students, young professionals, and non-immigrant visa holders (such as H-1B or L-1 holders) who, in a moment of poor judgment, found themselves facing a criminal charge. Depending on the specific offense, it...

Elon Musk recently set off another firestorm by criticizing U.S. immigration policy—specifically the H-1B visa program. In a CBS interview, Musk lamented the “dire shortage of extremely talented and motivated engineers,” warning that if America turns away the best global talent, it risks losing its competitive edge. As a seasoned business and immigration attorney (with the bonus perspective of bot...

J-1 Cultural Exchange Visas often come with a 2-year residency requirement pursuant to Sec.(212)e of the Federal Regulations. Foreign Nationals holding such J-1 visas, often get trapped applying and waiting for an I-612 to be approved, before moving to file for change of status or adjustment of status with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (“USCIS”).    I will share three essential tips...

Historically nurses were not allowed to get work visas through the H1-B visa work program due to educational requirements. The U.S. Department of Labor had set the standard requirements for nurses at a two-year associate's degree level. In contrast, to be eligible for an H-1B visa the profession must require a 4-year degree minimum.  Our Immigration lawyers have worked with nurses, occupational th...

Parole In Place is an application based on humanitarian relief principles. In this blog post, I will explain the PIP facts so you don’t have to get news through the grapevine.  First, it’s important to note that U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services began accepting PIP applications on the 19th of August 2024. Since then, a Federal District Judge has issued a temporary stay against the legal...

With the entire landscape of Media being transformed and redefined within the last two decades, our immigration lawyers frequently have the pleasure of representing creatives around the world. Our clients include individual creatives, social media teams and traditional production companies who provide informational and/or entertainment content to the public.  In this podcast we briefly discuss dif...

Our law firm is experiencing an unprecedented trend! We have been representing clients in U.S. Immigration matters for over 25 years. Recently, we have noticed an unprecedented trend in 2024. Our clients who are eligible for Naturalization/ Citizenship in the United States are getting approved in less than 3 months. While it's a great time to apply for U.S. Citizenship, it's very important to chec...

If you or someone you know is a non-citizen of the United States working in OPT F-1 status, as a J-1 au-pair, or is an asylum seeker who may be subject to a hostile or toxic work environment, please know you have rights. Labor laws and Trafficking laws not only protect non citizens, but in some cases reporting intolerable work conditions to the proper authorities may be a path to U.S. Permanent Re...

The H-1B visa season is here again, and registration begins in less than a month! This is the most sought-after practical work visa for professionals holding 4-year bachelors’ or advanced degrees seeking work with a U.S. employer. U.S. employers seeking global talent to fill ‘specialty’ occupations in their company should begin working with an immigration lawyer early. The rules surrounding the H-...

Employment Based work visas can be volatile; and taking charge of one’s visa status is more important than ever in this economy.  If you hold an H-1B visa, approved I-140 petition by a U.S. employer and/or have a pending Employment Based Green Card; it is important to understand how the actions of your company can make or break your U.S. status and immigration goals.

The B-1 and B-2 visa has mistakenly been limited and labeled as the ‘Tourist visa’. However, it is better referred to as the Visitor visa, which extends way beyond the purpose of touring the United States.  Rather, the purpose for which a Foreign National can visit the United States or change visa status to a Visitor in the U.S. is vast. 

Applying to adjust one’s status in the United States to a Permanent Resident is an exciting experience. The question often arises, “Should I still keep my non-immigrant visa current since I have my employment authorization (EAD), and I’ll soon be a Permanent Resident”?   The answer is yes!

The B-1 and B-2 visa has mistakenly been limited and labeled as the ‘Tourist visa’. However, it is better referred to as the Visitor visa, which extends way beyond the purpose of touring the United States.  Rather, the purpose for which a Foreign National can visit the United States or change visa status to a Visitor in the U.S. is vast. 

A popular held belief that once a foreign national is granted a visa to the United States its all-smooth sailing through the border. This is unfortunately not true. This short blog will explain the "behind scenes" screenings and audits with U.S. CBP or USCIS that can cause exclusion or removal from the United States that all starts with what appears to be an approved temporary non-immigrant visa a...

Balancing quality childcare and a career has become a real dilemma in the United States.  Juggling activities, sports and taking care of our kids’ intermittent medical needs, has become unsustainable for even 2 parent homes. In this podcast, we discuss how proper planning can help families succeed in hiring a nanny from abroad, and/or keep their au pair after the maximum time allowance through a c...

In this episode we take you back to our classroom and talk about Business Visas!

Today we will discuss the H-3 Training Visa and how it can help you!!

Today we discuss a very popular question that we get and that is  "Do I have to advertise to hire a US Worker?" There are two situations where the answer is yes and we discuss one of them today!!

How the J-1 Cultural Exchange and H-2B Seasonal Visas can help with your labor shortages!