Important Updates on the Visa Waiver Program Changes

February 2016

Published by the Law Offices of Alena Shautsova, 2908A Emmons Ave, Brooklyn, New York 11235

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“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
― Mahatma Gandhi

Changes to Visa Waiver Program

Author: New York Immigration Attorney Alena Shautsova

Usually, to come to one country from another, a person would have to obtain a visa, or permission. Citizens of the United States may travel without visas to many countries, but for some countries they do need to obtain visas. Non-U.S. citizens usually have to apply for a visa before coming to the United States. However, citizens of specified by the law countries do not need visas to enter the US if they come with non-immigrant intent (do not plan to stay in the U.S. or work), and visit U.S. for a relatively short period of time (typically, no longer than 90 days). This exception is known as “Visa Waiver.” .Visa Waiver has its pluses (there is no need for a formal visa application) and minuses: one who enters the U.S. on a Visa Waiver cannot change his/her status to any other status (limited exceptions apply), and is subject to expedited removal in case of status violation.

After the terrorist attacks in San Bernadino and Paris, the Visa Waiver Program has come under extreme scrutiny. There are two major changes that have been put into effect. The first change requires an individual looking to enter the U.S. under the VWP (Visa Waiver Program) to update their passport. Passports must now be machine readable. The change is understandable as it purports to help avoiding fraud and speeding up the process at the point of entry.

The second change is more drastic: citizens of the following countries (dual citizenship included): Iraq, Iran, Syria and Sudan (excluding South Sudan) are excluded from entering the U.S. under the VWP, as well as persons who traveled to these countries since March of 2011.

The exclusion of nationals who have travelled to any of the above mentioned countries came as a shock to the legal community. Although these countries have never been included as participants of the VWP, many foreign nationals that possess a dual citizenship with one of the excluded countries will no longer be able to enter under the program.

The only exception to the new exclusion rule concerns individuals without dual citizenship with Iraq, Iran, Syria and Sudan who have travelled to Iraq, Iran, Syria or Sudan, and who are military members of a participating VWP countries or employees of the federal government of a VWP countries, as long as the travel was done in service to the military or federal governmental entity by official order.

If you are an individual who has been affected by the recent changes to the VWP, it is recommended by the CBP to submit an application for a nonimmigrant visa well in advance of travel arrangements. If an affected individual is in need ofimmediate travel, the U.S. Embassies and Consulates are prepared to process expedited nonimmigrant visa applications for individuals with urgent business, medical or humanitarian travel needs.

A common question with regard to the new changes, is whether Canadians with specific dual citizenship will be precluded from coming to the U.S. without a visa. A short answer is “no.” Citizens of Canada come to the U.S. under a special law, not Visa Waiver Program, and as such the changes will not affect them. Another common question is if the recent change will preclude individuals who fall under new rules from re-entering the U.S. under Visa Waiver after a short trip to Canada or Mexico. Unfortunately, the recent changes made such individuals ineligible to use VWP, and it means that they will have to apply for a visa prior to coming back to the U.S., even if they were in the U.S. before and travelled to neighboring countries for a short time.

If you believe you are subject to new changes, it is highly suggested that you consult with an attorney before attempting to enter the U.S.

SUCCESS STORY: PAROLE IN PLACE GRANTED

Author: New York Immigration Lawyer Alena Shautsova

The Garcia family (the client identifies are protected and the names are not real) came to my office in hope to resolve the long-lasting situation: the wife was a naturalized U.S. citizen, but the husband was “illegal”: he was brought to the U.S. as a child and was explained that he came under someone else’s name, but twenty years later all attempts to restore the records of that purported entry were unsuccessful. The couple was very sad, as the husband’s inability to travel or legally work in the U.S. impeded family’s future. I looked at the documents and spoke with them. It appeared, that the wife used to be in the US military, and even though she was discharged, I immediately thought of a possibility of parole in place for the husband. I explained to the couple, that if our submission is successful, the husband will be able to legalize in the US, and the ordeal will be over. At first, they did not believe me. It was understandable: after spending tens of thousands of dollars on different attorneys and years of waiting, they could not accept that the solution to the years of their problem was so close. By the end of our meeting, they were eager to start the work. A parole in place application is discretionary relief, and also it is supposed to be “freely granted”, one has to submit a strong application, demonstrating factors in favor of exercise of discretion. It took us several months to collect all the records and documents, including medical records, affidavits, photos, financial records. We submitted our application and started waiting. About five months later, we received a notice for an appointment with USCIS/ICE. The client was stressed outand I accompanied him to the USCIS office. At the appointment, the ICE officer handed the I-94 card to my client and wished him good luck… I could see tears in his eyes, as he was putting the new I-94 in his “special” file… Now, my client’s door to a green card was finally opened.

For Russian Speaking Audience

Что делать в случае пропуска срока на подачу заявления на убежеще в Америке?

Законодательство США предусматривает, что человек желающий получить убежище на территории США, должен обратиться за ним в течении года после приезда в США. Не имеет значения въехал человек в США легально или нет. В случае пропуска этого срока, в убежище будет отказано. Oднако, возможно предотвратить отказ, если заявитель убедит суд или иммиграционную службу в том, что пропустил срок по уважительной причине.

Что же может служить уважительной причиной? Закон предусматривает несколько групп таких причин. Например, смягчающие индивидуальные обстоятельства: тяжёлая болезнь, заблуждение по поводу сроков подачи если они соправождаются неквалифицированной помощью юриста; нахождение в легальном статусе который истек… В данном случае, заявление на убежище должно бить подано в течение разумного срока после прекращения данных обстоятельств. Таким сроком часто считаются 6 месяцев. Вторая группа причин позволяющих восстановить прорущенный срок: изменение обстоятельств в стране от которой просится убежище. Яркий пример: события на Украине 2014-2015гг. Так как обстоятельства в этой стране поменялись, то для граждан этой страны срок на подачу убежища стал течь заново. И третья группа причин включает в себя изменение обстоятельства личного характера: какие-то перемены в жизни человека, которые изменили его возможность получить убежище: изменение религии, социального статуса, политически взглядов. Конечно, третья группа должна включает наиболее серьезные доказательства которые могут пройти любую, даже самую серьезную проверку.

Наконец, Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) 2008 исправил INA, : срок регистрации не относится к несопровождаемым детям.

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