Musings on Immigration

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS A guide for American citizens or permanent residents at airports or ports of entry If you are traveling into the United States from overseas, you will be questioned by Customs and Border Protections (CBP). You may also encounter other law enforcement officers. Depending on where you were born or your nationality, you may face more questioning than other travelers. Whether you are selected for secondary search may be based on your religion, race, national origin, gender identity, ethnicity, or political beliefs. Here are eight things you SHOULD and SHOULD NOT do if you're a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder) and you're held for questioning at the border: You will be asked questions about your travels or your immigration status. You should answers those honestly but briefly. Make any required declarations about money or items you are carrying. However, be careful with what you disclose to CBP and do not offer more detail tha...

President Trump signed an Executive Order on January 27, 2017, entitled “Protecting the Nation from Terrorist Attacks by Foreign Nationals."  This Executive Order had immediate effects on people traveling to the United States, but also has a long term impact on individuals with visas and permanent residence in the United States today.     First, this Order specifically restricts any and all visa-issuance for individuals from   Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Sudan and Somalia , and   Iran,   e.g.  “Nationals of Countries of Particular Concern”. Additional countries could be included at a later date.  What this means is that the USCIS and the Department of State cannot grant lawful permanent residence, or issue approvals for status changes, or issue visas to people   born   in these countries for the duration of the Executive Order, likely for at least 90 days.  In addition, this means that Customs and Border Protection cannot "ad...