Nigerian Envoy Calms US Immigration Ban Fears
Ambassador Hakeem Balogun, Nigeria’s Charge d’Affairs in the U.S., told the reporters that Nigeria is not among the countries on which President Donald Trump has issued a travel ban. This dismissed the fears of Nigerians who were fearful that they might not be allowed to get into the U.S. He also said that the Nigerians who travel to the U.S. must always stick to the rules and not involve in any punitive measures.
More US Visa Denials and Delays to Come
The security procedures for vetting U.S. visa applicants at U.S. embassies across the globe has increased and this has resulted in an increase in the waiting time for travellers. Immigration advocates say that the governments are reviewing the work histories of applicants and their social media accounts. Read more.
Singapore Teen Blogger Granted Asylum by US Immigration Judge
18-year-old Amos Yee, a teenage blogger from Singapore was imprisoned after criticizing the government on the internet. He has now been given asylum in the U.S. by judge Samuel Cole. Yee can now stay in the country.
Holders of Special Immigrant US Visas Still Face Questions
Special immigrant U.S. visa holders who were given these visas for working for contractors or for the U.S. government in Afghanistan and Iraq, have been threatened with deportation or held by immigration authorities in detention. Read more.
Sanctuary Cities Could Lose Federal Grants, Attorney General Says
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said that sanctuary cities that protect undocumented immigrants could lose Justice Department grants. He said that such actions put all the communities at risk including those that are law-abiding.
Court dismisses H-1B US Visa Immigration Case
A federal judge in Oregon dismissed the lawsuit that was filed against the H-1B lottery system. This ruling means that there will be no change to this year’s visa issuance process. The lottery system will be used to determine successful H-1B visa applicants.
Republicans Want Immigrants to Pay for Border Wall
A group of Republicans in the House of Representatives have introduced a bill to try to fund the border wall between the U.S. and Mexico. Read more.
Mexican Dreamer Released by US Authorities
24-year-old Daniel Ramirez Medina, a Mexican immigrant with a U.S. work permit, has been released from federal custody. He was arrested last month as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents claimed that he had ties with gangs. Ramirez, who received deferred action status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program was released by an immigration judge.