Karnig writes in The Independent on Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the US Supreme Court
Karnig writes in The Independent on Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the US Supreme Court
5 September 2018
Karnig Dukmajian writes in The Independent about the potential impact US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh might have on the Trump administration’s efforts to restrict legal immigration to the US.
Kavanaugh’s views on executive authority and immigration, as reflected in his judicial record, provide a reliable indication that he will side with the Trump administration should immigration policy challenges reach the Supreme Court.
Read the full article here.
EU Settlement Scheme Launch
EU Settlement Scheme Launch
28 August 2018
Today the EU Settlement Scheme been launched as a test phase, enabling a small cohort of students and staff from the following organisations to apply for settled status or pre-settled status on a voluntary basis:
- Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
- Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust
- Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust
- The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust
- The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust
- Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Liverpool Hope University
- Liverpool John Moores University
- The University of Liverpool
EU citizens and eligible family members who have at least five years’ continuous residence in the UK will apply for ‘settled status’. Those with less than five years residence will apply for ‘pre-settled status’ to allow them to complete five years and become eligible for settled status. After five years of ‘continuous residence’, those with pre-settled status may apply for settled status without a further fee.
Applications for adults will cost £65 and £32.50 for children under 16. Applicants who hold valid permanent residence or indefinite leave to remain documentation will be able to exchange it for settled status for free.
Status under the new scheme will be held ‘digitally’ for EU citizens, while non-EU citizens may be issued a biometric residence permit (BRP).
The changes coming into effect today do not have any bearing on EU nationals’ and their family members’ right to reside in the UK on the basis of free movement rules until at least the end of the implementation period (31 December 2020). Those resident in the UK before the end of the implementation period will have until at least 30 June 2021 to apply for the new status.
For further information on the implications of Brexit for employers and EU nationals, and our Brexit services, contact your assigned lawyer or email EUenquiries@lauradevine.com.
Anastasia Tonello discusses the strategies adopted by celebrity immigration
Anastasia Tonello discusses the strategies adopted by celebrity immigration
23 August 2018
Managing partner and head of the US Practice Anastasia Tonello discusses the strategies adopted by celebrity immigration attorney Michael Avenatti since he made his announcement in June to tackle the issue of family separation at the US – Mexico border.
Read the full article here.
EU Settlement Scheme Employer Toolkit
EU Settlement Scheme Employer Toolkit
6 August 2018
The Government has published an employer toolkit with the aim to provide employers with the right tools and information to support EU citizens and their families on the EU Settlement Scheme.
The Home Office has stated that the toolkit will contain relevant and updated information until the EU Settlement Scheme goes live. The updated information can be accessed here.
The toolkit contains an introduction for employers, leaflets and posters, designed for publicise the scheme.
Anastasia Tonello sets out how to maintain green card status
Anastasia Tonello sets out how to maintain green card status
2 August 2018
Managing Partner and head of the US immigration practice Anastasia Tonello provides an overview of the key considerations when maintaining legal permanent residence (LPR) status in the US. LPR status, often known as ‘green card’ status, is not truly permanent and can be lost by individuals who fail to maintain certain requirements. Anastasia warns of the common pitfalls for green card holders when maintaining their status in the US, along with essential advice for those wishing to spend extended periods of time outside of the US.
Read the full STEP Journal, Vol 26, Issue 6 here.
Anastasia Tonello comments on the progress of reunification of child and parent
Anastasia Tonello comments on the progress of reunification of child and parent
27 July 2018
Managing Partner and head of the US immigration practice Anastasia Tonello comments on the progress of reuniting more than 2,500 children, separated from their parents at the US border. Anastasia highlights some troubling reports of officials providing questionable information to parents, potentially misleading them into agreeing to return to their country of origin in order to join their children when other legal remedies might have been available.
Read the full story here.
Anastasia Tonello on CBS News discussing the new visa policy
Anastasia Tonello on CBS News discussing the new visa policy
25 July 2018
Managing Partner and Head of the US Practice Anastasia Tonello discusses new visa policy that could change the way legal immigration works with CBS News.
Anastasia Tonello comments on the latest USCIS policy on loss of citizenship
Anastasia Tonello comments on the latest USCIS policy on loss of citizenship
22 July 2018
Managing Partner and head of the US Practice Anastasia Tonello speaks to The Hill regarding the recent introduction of policy enabling immigration officers to review the applications of recently naturalised citizens and potentially revoke their citizenship.
Read the full article here.
Anastasia Tonello speaks to CBS news about the latest changes to federal policies
Anastasia Tonello speaks to CBS news about the latest changes to federal policies
19 July 2018
Managing Partner and Head of the US Practice Anastasia Tonello spoke with CBS News about recent changes to federal policy allowing immigration officials to reject visa applications immediately if there is missing or inaccurate information.
Prior guidance issued in 2013 required officials to serve “Requests for Evidence” to fix any gaps in paperwork unless there was “no possibility” that the mistake could be corrected, and then “Notices of Intent to Deny” were issued, giving 30 day warnings to applicants that they would likely be rejected. The new policy, which will take effect Sept. 11, allows USCIS to “deny the (application) for failure to establish eligibility based on lack of required initial evidence.”
Read the full article here.
Anastasia discusses visa hurdles for highly-skilled foreign tech workers
Anastasia discusses visa hurdles for highly-skilled foreign tech workers
18 July 2018
Managing Partner and Head of the US Practice Anastasia Tonello spoke with Bloomberg Technology on the immigration ramifications of the additional scrutiny of the visa program for technology professionals.
A recently issued USCIS policy memorandum would allow agency officers to make a final decision based on the initial application package, without first seeking additional information. Without this step, applicants don’t have an opportunity to explain themselves if they make a mistake that could be as minor as writing their work address incorrectly on an application.
Read the full article here.