BAL Immigration Report
BAL News
The BAL Immigration Report gives you all of the news you need to know to navigate the world of corporate immigration. Every week, we offer the latest in U.S. and global immigration news and analysis — all in about 10 minutes.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 23, 2024 • 12min
Episode 75: Student visa trends, call for permanent DACA solution, significant visa delays in France
The State Department expects significant delays in visa processing in France. Advocates call for a legislative solution for DACA. And with graduation season upon us, BAL Senior Associate Chad Li discusses student visa trends.
May 16, 2024 • 17min
Episode 74: Nonimmigrant visa issuance, healthcare for Dreamers, summer travel tips and reminders
The State Department is on pace to issue a record number of nonimmigrant visas this year. DACA recipients can apply for federal healthcare coverage this fall. And BAL’s Tiffany Derentz and Brendan Kinne offer tips and reminders ahead of the busy summer travel season.
May 9, 2024 • 8min
Episode 73: Visa stats, Diversity Visa results, Schedule A update
Nonimmigrant visa issuance continues to rise. Diversity Visa results are now available. And updates to the Department of Labor’s Schedule A occupation list could help the green card process for workers in critical industries. Guest: Mark Ellis.
May 2, 2024 • 11min
Episode 72: Supreme Court update, BAL's big announcement, new H-1B cap data
The U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear another immigration case. BAL makes a big announcement. And what new U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data tells us about this year’s H-1B registration lottery. Guests: Frieda Garcia, Steve Plastrik BAL to Welcome Leading Partners from Seyfarth Shaw LLP’s Immigration Practice This Summer: www.bal.com/perspectives/bal-to-welcome-leading-partners-from-seyfarth-shaw-llps-immigration-practice/
Apr 25, 2024 • 10min
Episode 71: Why a small USCIS policy change could have important consequences for green card applicants
The Supreme Court hears arguments in a case about U.S. citizens’ rights in visa denials. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reaches an H-2B cap for returning workers. And why a small USCIS policy change could have important consequences for green card applicants. Guest: Melissa Boggs. United States | USCIS lifts limits to Form I-693 validity period: https://www.bal.com/perspectives/bal-news/united-states-uscis-lifts-limits-to-form-i-693-validity-period/
Apr 18, 2024 • 11min
Episode 70: BAL Senior Associate Steven Quezada on the voices behind the visas
The U.S. State Department suspends visa services in Haiti. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico moves to reduce visa wait times. And BAL Senior Associate Steven Quezada discusses his Immigration Journeys series. Guest: Steven Quezada
Apr 11, 2024 • 10min
Episode 69: Why a federal court ruling in Georgia has grabbed the attention of the immigration law community
Expert in immigration law, Maggie Murphy, discusses the federal court ruling in Georgia that has captured the immigration law community's attention. Topics include extended automatic extension periods for employment authorization documents, reduced USCIS processing times, and the implications of a recent ruling on immigration law structure.
Apr 4, 2024 • 9min
Episode 68: Assessing immigration strategies in light of fee increases, the upcoming election
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is now accepting H-1B petitions for cap-subject visas. The U.S. Embassy in India moves to streamline appointments. And why now is a good time for U.S. employers to rethink immigration strategies. We cover all of this and more on this week's BAL Immigration Report. Guest: John Hamill. Fee Hikes Give U.S. Employers a Chance to Rethink Immigration Strategies: werc_1307599-24_mobilitymagazine_issue1_final-compressed.pdf (worldwideerc.org)
Mar 28, 2024 • 12min
Episode 67: How companies have prepared for immigration filing fee increases
H-1B registration has closed and petition filing begins next week. The government opens an H-2B cap for returning workers. And a look at how employers have been preparing for major USCIS filing fee increases. USCIS fee calculator: https://www.bal.com/insights/uscis-fee-calculator/ Fee impact on companies: https://www.bal.com/perspectives/impact-of-the-new-uscis-fee-increase-rule/ BAL H-1B and fee webinar: https://bal.cventevents.com/event/2024feeincrease/summary?Refid=bal.com&locale=en-US
Mar 21, 2024 • 14min
Episode 66: Immigration Bracketology with BAL's Sports & Immigration Team
A lawsuit aims to stop U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services fee hikes. State Department data shows a continued increase in green card issuance. And with March Madness tipping off, the BAL Sports & Entertainment team creates a tournament bracket of their own. Guests: Gabriel Castro & Tiffany Derentz. NCAA Tournament highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH5ltiHSJqE; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7xJQZFjAk8
