I’ve spent a lot of time in this space hemming and hawing about the world that I practice law in. One thing I’ve written about ad nauseum is the stupidity of having to sometimes advise some corporate clients that the only way they can hire a foreign specialty...
Immigration
Here We Go Again: FY2025 H-1B Cap Season
My annual missive about the tragicomedy that is the H-1B filing season is once again upon us. I would normally dive into this with some commentary about the H-1B program, how ridiculous it is that our clients have to endure a lottery process to see if they can hire...
The J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa and Upstate New York’s Physician Shortage
I saw an article recently in our local weekly newspaper, Saratoga Today, reporting that the Northern Border Regional Commission (“NBRC”), a federal-state partnership for economic and community development within the most distressed counties of Maine, New Hampshire,...
“Crimmigration”: A Recent 2nd Circuit Ruling Could Help Immigrants with New York “Narcotic Drug” Convictions
Crimmigration, the sometimes-scary intersection between federal and state criminal laws, and U.S. immigration law. More specifically, it is a body of law that has evolved in the immigration law (e.g., statutes, regulations and court decisions) that deals with criminal...
The Migrant Crisis in New York
In a totally different context, someone recently told my wife that life is complicated. It is, to say the least. In an era marked by globalization and the pursuit of better opportunities, for better or worse, migration has become a significant feature of modern...
Ron DeSantis’ “Florida Immigration Policy”
Despite being a peninsula with no direct land access to other countries, Florida – like New York – has a great deal of immigrants within its borders. But unlike New York, Florida has a Governor (and far too many Republican legislators) who would prefer that the...
The Aftermath of This Year’s H-1B Lottery
I know I write a lot about the H-1B visa program. Probably too much. But this month’s missive must be written. In today’s globalized world, the United States continues to be one of the most sought-after destinations for skilled immigrants (even despite all the...
Immigration and Mental Health
In the spirit of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, I thought a short missive on the connection between immigration and mental health would be appropriate. And when I refer to mental health, I’m speaking to both attorneys and their clients. Many years ago, I...
Despite Delays and Other Issues, USCIS Wants to Increase its Fees!!!
Sometimes I just need to get up on my soapbox and speak loudly. Having said that, I write this piece with a little trepidation. Why? I’ve been working in the immigration world for a long-time now, either on Capitol Hill or in private practice. Thirty-five years to...
President Biden, What Have You Done for Me Lately?
It’s March 2023. We’re a little over two years into the Biden administration, and for two of those years, the Democrats “controlled” two branches of the federal government. I put quotes around “controlled” because it feels like a misnomer to say that given that...