Sarai Bryant Stewart, Esq.

03/03/2025

In short, Trump’s new executive order to establish English as the official language of the U.S. revokes Executive Order 13166, signed by President Clinton in 2000, which requires federal agencies to improve access to services for people with limited English proficiency (LEP). It gives a lot of discretion to Agency Directors to make determinations as to how to implement these services (or not).

04/19/2019

Breaking News:

USCIS is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify that violations of federal controlled substance law, including violations involving ma*****na, are generally a bar to establishing good moral character for naturalization, even where that conduct would not be an offense under state law. The policy guidance also clarifies that an applicant who is involved in certain ma*****na-related activities may lack good moral character if found to have violated federal law, even if such activity has been decriminalized under applicable state laws.

Since 1996, some states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws to decriminalize the manufacture, possession, distribution, and use of both medical and non-medical (recreational) ma*****na in their respective jurisdictions. However, federal law classifies ma*****na as a “Schedule I” controlled substance whose manufacture (which includes production, such as planting, cultivation, growing, or harvesting), distribution, dispensing, or possession may lead to immigration consequences.

01/10/2018

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/white-house/article193665104.html

After McClatchy reported a Homeland Security agency was weighing the specific law change that would prevent foreign tech industry workers from keeping their visas longer than six years, the administration reversed course.

01/04/2018

http://www.newsweek.com/h1-b-visas-would-not-be-extended-under-trumps-latest-proposal-reports-say-769363

The proposal is part of Trump’s “Buy American, Hire American” initiative he promised on the campaign trail.

09/29/2017

This is promising.

Democrats this week introduced a rare procedural move to force a vote on the Dream Act, while Republicans rolled out a conservative-friendly option aimed at resolving the legal status of Dreamers.

09/01/2017

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/column-trump-revokes-daca-will-create-humanitarian-crisis/

As Americans are still reeling from the shock of hearing their President dignify the actions of hatemongers, there is another social crisis brewing. Starti

08/17/2017

http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/immigrant-visa-processing-changes-eb1-58069/

In our continuing series of reports, Charles (“Charlie”) Oppenheim, Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division, U.S. Department of State, shares...

08/02/2017

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/08/02/trump-gop-senators-to-introduce-bill-to-slash-legal-immigration-levels/?utm_term=.8c5c32cb11d2

The bill is expected to face fierce resistance from congressional Democrats and immigrant rights groups.

02/12/2017

https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-if-immigration-agents-ice-are-your-door

Know your rights. Remain calm. Sus Derechos Básicos Durante Visitas de ICE

02/01/2017

In short- unless you're a US Citizen, don't travel.

01/30/2017

If you are a green card holder (lawful permanent resident) outside of the U.S., please reach out to an immigration attorney before you travel back to the U.S.
If you do plan to travel back to the US, you should fill out a USCIS G-28 form first that officially appoints an attorney to represent you in immigration situations and have that completed form with you as you board your flight.
The refugee program is being halted immediately, for at least 120 days. This will mean that anyone, anywhere in the process, will not move forward. The effort to resettle Syrian refugees in the U.S. is being halted indefinitely.
Other info:
If you are non-citizen, even green card holder (lawful permanent residents), from one of the seven countries named, and you are ALREADY INSIDE the U.S., plan to DELAY all international travel for at least 90 days.
IF YOU LEAVE YOU ARE LIKELY TO BE DENIED RE-ENTRY.
If you are a non-citizen from one of the seven countries named, and you are OUTSIDE of the U.S., you will face issues at the airport upon attempting to re-enter the US.
IF YOU ARE ASKED TO SIGN AN I-407 AT THE AIRPORT OR BORDER DO NOT SIGN IT, ASK FOR THE SUPERVISOR WHO HANDLES LPR ADMISSIONS. If you sign it, you will be giving up your green card.
Please keep looking for updates in the coming days to assess your travel options. If you are facing an emergency at the airport or are returning to the US in the coming days, please have our numbers on hand (CAIR National: 202.488.8787)
Whether you are a citizen or not, do not permit law enforcement to enter your home without a warrant. Even if they have a warrant, you should consult with an attorney before speaking to them. Get copies of business cards of all law enforcement officials, if possible.
(Please copy/paste, don't just share.)

01/13/2017

It was only a matter of time for the end of the "wet-foot/dry-foot" policy after the U.S. reestablished relations with Cuba.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/obama-ending-wet-foot-dry-foot-policy-allowing-cubans-reaching-us-soil-to-stay-and-receive-residency/2017/01/12/21bbaac2-d912-11e6-b8b2-cb5164beba6b_story.html?utm_term=.659aac493030

The new policy eliminates a special parole period that allows them entry to wait for U.S. residence and ends the “wet-foot, dry-foot” policy.