Rachel Browning’s Legal Blog

            One of the more frustrating experiences for foreign nationals seeking to enter the U.S. can be consular processing – the application for a visa to enter the U.S. at the U.S. Consulate of the alien’s home country.  While the initial determination of an applicant’s eligibility for a visa lies with the Department of Homeland [...]

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The U.S. State Department has created a new social networking site called “Exchanges Connect,” a forum meant to promote international exchanges between students and young professionals in the U.S. and abroad. The site is administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and includes blog postings, chat rooms, discussion forums, links to foreign exchange [...]

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            As of yesterday, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has added seven new countries to its Visa Waiver Program (VWP).  Citizens and eligible nationals of participating VWP countries can apply for admission to the United States at a U.S. port of entry as nonimmigrant aliens to be admitted for ninety days [...]

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The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that it will extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to nationals of Nicaragua through July 5, 2010.  In order to be eligible for the extension, qualifying nationals of Nicaragua must have already registered for TPS based on their presence in the U.S. prior to December 30, 1998. [...]

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Last week, the passage of a new provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and an appeals court ruling on a high-profile asylum case both centered on the issue of the forced conscription into armed combat.  First, on October 3, President Bush signed into law the Child Soldiers Accountability Act of 2008 (PL 110-340).   [...]

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