Immigration Fridays
The first podcast dedicated to US Immigration news and information. Each week our expert immigration attorneys discuss current topics and respond to listeners' questions submitted via e-mail, fax or phone. Subscribe to our podcast to learn more about living, working, studying, investing, establishing or expanding a business in the US.
- Immigration Fridays | How to study in the US
During our first podcast, we discuss the process for obtaining a student visa. Podcast includes interview with International Students Office's Director at FIU (Florida International University in Miami, Fl). - Immigration Fridays | Evaluating Foreign Educational Credentials in the US
In our second show, the topic of discussion is Foreign Education Evaluation. Guest of the day is Josef Silny, a professional evaluator of foreign educational credentials. - Immigration Fridays | PERM Labor Certification
In our third program, we're discussing PERM labor certification and the differences between the old system and the new system --labor cert is the preliminary process for obtaining a green card based on an offer of employment from a US-based company - Immigration Fridays | PERM Labor Certification and Permanent Residency Process
In our fourth program, we continue discussing PERM labor certification--labor cert is the preliminary process for obtaining a green card based on an offer of employment from a US-based company. Today we are focusing on processing times and visa availability for obtaining a green card or legal permanent residency - Immigration Fridays | Visa Retrogression
In our fifth program, we spoke about how employment-based immigration is nearing a crisis as long backlogs or wait times for immigrant visas make it unlikely that professionals and/or skilled workers obtain green cards or work permits for the rest of the year - Immigration Fridays | Upcoming Immigration Reform - Reality or Illusion?
In our sixth program, we discuss the recently signed Homeland Security Appropriations Act for 2006 and President Bush's statements regarding immigration reform, immigration enforcement and a guest worker program. Our guest today is Representative Steve Tobocman from the 12th District of Michigan. He discusses the national and local effects of recent laws, including the REAL ID Act as well as considers the future effect of current immigration proposals - Immigration Fridays | Upcoming Immigration Reform - Reality or Illusion, continued
In our seventh program we continue discussing recent proposals for immigration reform, immigration enforcement and a guest worker program. Our focus is on four bills introduced in Congress by Republican Senator Chuck Hagel, which include border security, employer verification of work authorization, temporary worker program (or "guest worker program") earned legalization, eradicating H-1B caps for foreign students with higher degrees, and other important changes to current immigration regulations and also to the US Immigration and Nationality Act itself - Immigration Fridays | H-3 Training Visas
In our seventh program, we discuss how these temporary visas are available for individuals who want to come to the U.S. and inter or train with an institution or company in the U.S. H-3 Training Visas are underutilized and can provide many opportunities to individuals abroad as well as to individuals who are already here in the U.S. The podcast explains the H-3 visa requirements, eligibility and maximum period of stay in that status - Immigration Fridays | Nuts and Bolts of PERM
In our eighth program, we discuss the new US Department of Labor ("DOL") program that began March 28, 2005 and requires employers to file an electric labor certification application for any position for which a foreign worker is sought and for which DOL certification is required. This new program is known as "PERM" which stands for Program Electric Review Management. Labor Certification if the first step towards obtaining employer-sponsored legal permanent residency or a "Green Card". This Friday we focus on the recruitment, or advertisements, for the position that is required before filing the application with the DOL. - Immigration Fridays | Prevailing Wage Issues in Immigration Cases
Our invited guest speaker, in our ninth program, is Steve Grogan, a wage analyst and owner/president of Alien Prevailing Wage Determination, Inc. This subject is critical for all employment-sponsored permanent residency, or Green Card, applications as well as for H-1B applications where employers must provide evidence that they are paying foreign workers the prevailing wage and of their ability to pay that wage. In some cases, employers may provide alternative wage information where they are unable to meet the Department of Labor's prevailing wage determinations. That evidence is crucial to the success of H-1B, Labor Certification and Immigrant Visa Applications submitted to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. - Immigration Fridays | Consular Processing - Part 1
In our tenth program we focus on nonimmigrant visa processing and discuss the theories and policies behind requiring in-person interviews as well as practical tips for obtaining visa stamps abroad. In the next podcast we will continue to discuss consular processing with a focus on immigrant visa processing. - Immigration Fridays | Consular Processing - Part 2
In our eleventh program we focus on immigrant visa processing. We discuss eligibility, the general application process, processing times, filing tips, tips for the immigrant visa interview at the U.S. Consulate abroad. - Immigration Fridays | Family Based Immigration - I-130 Petition For Alien Relative
In our twelfth program we discuss the basic eligibility requirements, preference categories, procedures, processing times an documentation needed to sponsor a relative for permanent residency in the U.S. We also discuss a couple of examples, in response to questions sent by e-mail communication. - Immigration Fridays | L-1, Intra-Company Transfer Visas
In our thirteenth program we discuss general eligibility requirements, for both the corporate entity as well as for the individual. We also discuss types of qualifying relationships, duration of stay, and basic procedures required to obtain the L-1 visa. In this podcast we focus on the L-1A visa for an Intra-Company Manager or Executive with a preview of the requirements for processing legal permanent residency (or the "Green Card") for L-1A visa holders. - Immigration Fridays | L-1, Intra-Company Transfer Visas Part 2
In our fourteenth program we discuss general eligibility requirements for L-1B, Specialized Knowledge Intra-Company Transfer Visas as well as some practical examples. We discuss the general eligibility requirements and procedures for participation in the L Blanket Program. In this podcast we also discuss the Foreign Affairs Manual's evidentiary requirements and what consular officers seek out when reviewing applications for visa issuance at ports abroad. - Immigration Fridays | Immigration Reform for 2006
In our fifteenth program we discuss the hottest bills in Congress and the latest developments and changes to bills that will be up for discussion in next year's first session of Congress. Among the bills and proposals we discuss are HR 4437, or more popularly known as the Sensenbrenner bill. If passed, this bill would create an amendment to allow state and local authorities the inherent authority to enforce (federal) immigration laws; militarize the border including the construction of a fence between the U.S. and Mexico through three states; eliminate the diversity visa lottery; and, render a single DUI conviction a deportable offence. We also discuss H-1B cap and visa retrogression proposals and the DREAM Act. - Immigration Fridays | O-1 Non-Immigrant Visas
In our sixteenth program we discuss the different categories, evidence required for applications, basic procedure and validity periods of O visas. We discuss some real-life examples and provide tips for applying successfully. We also touch on the subject of applications for legal permanent residency based on extraordinary abili