Immigration Law

Recent Posts

ESTA Fee Increase
Posted on 20 May 2022 by Daniel M. Kowalski

Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 98 / Friday, May 20, 2022 "This document amends Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations pertaining to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). ESTA is the online system through which nonimmigrant... Read More

Advance Copy of ESTA IFR
Posted on 31 Mar 2022 by Daniel M. Kowalski

This document is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on 04/01/2022 Implementation of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) at U.S. Land Borders "This rule amends Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations... Read More

Tags: vwp , esta

Croatia Added to Visa Waiver Program
Posted on 30 Sep 2021 by Daniel M. Kowalski

Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 187 / Thursday, September 30, 2021 "Eligible citizens, nationals, and passport holders from designated Visa Waiver Program countries may apply for admission to the United States at U.S. ports of entry as nonimmigrant... Read More

CBP Offers Flexibility to Departing VWP Travelers
Posted on 20 Apr 2020 by Daniel M. Kowalski

CBP, Apr. 17, 2020 " Travelers Affected by Coronavirus May Apply for Extended Term of Admission WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced today that Visa Waiver Program travelers who have been granted satisfactory... Read More

DOS, DHS Include Poland in VWP
Posted on 8 Nov 2019 by Daniel M. Kowalski

DHS, Nov. 6, 2019 "Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin K. McAleenan, in coordination with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, designated Poland into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) . Starting November 11, 2019, citizens and nationals of Poland... Read More

Heller's Catch 22
Posted on 5 Mar 2018 by Daniel M. Kowalski

Steven D. Heller, Mar. 2018 - "Steven D. Heller’s Catch 22 CFR § 40.6 (Based on a true story) "Bob the Brit (not his real name) was refused entry on the Visa Waiver Program because his repeated visits to the US were deemed by... Read More

DOS, DHS Announce Implementation of Changes to Visa Waiver Program
Posted on 21 Jan 2016 by Daniel M. Kowalski

Joint DOS / DHS press release, Jan. 21, 2016 - "The United States today began implementing changes under the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 (the Act). U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) welcomes... Read More

DHS Announces Further Travel Restrictions for the Visa Waiver Program
Posted on 19 Feb 2016 by Daniel M. Kowalski

DHS, Feb. 18, 2016 - "The Department of Homeland Security today announced that it is continuing its implementation of the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 with the addition of Libya, Somalia, and Yemen as... Read More

DHS Announces Chile’s Designation Into the Visa Waiver Program
Posted on 1 Mar 2014 by Daniel M. Kowalski

"Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, joined by Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Heather Higginbottom, Chilean Foreign Minister Alfredo Moreno and Chilean Ambassador Felipe Bulnes, announced the designation of Chile into... Read More

Tags: Chile , vwp , DHS , esta

Chertoff Ties Visa Waiver Program With Surveillance Tools
Posted on 20 Oct 2014 by Daniel M. Kowalski

"In a recent speech at The Heritage Foundation, former Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff made the case for continuing the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). On the surface, his speech addressed only why the United States should keep and expand... Read More

ESTA Final Rule - CBP
Posted on 7 Jun 2015 by Daniel M. Kowalski

"This rule adopts as final, with one substantive change, interim amendments to DHS regulations published in the Federal Register on June 9, 2008 and August 9, 2010 regarding the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). ESTA is the online... Read More

Designation of Chile for the Visa Waiver Program
Posted on 31 Mar 2014 by Daniel M. Kowalski

"Eligible citizens, nationals and passport holders from designated Visa Waiver Program countries may apply for admission to the United States at U.S. ports of entry as nonimmigrant aliens for a period of ninety days or less for business or pleasure... Read More

Tags: visa waiver , Chile , vwp

USCIS Policy Memo: Adjudication of Adjustment of Status Applications for Individuals Admitted to the United States Under the Visa Waiver Program
Posted on 20 Nov 2013 by Daniel M. Kowalski

"This policy memorandum (PM) provides guidance on the adjudication of Form I-485, Application to Register or Adjust Status, filed by immediate relatives of U.S. citizens who were last admitted under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This PM updates... Read More

The Prejudice Caused by Summary Removal After Visa Waiver Admission: What the Third Circuit Missed in Vera and Bradley
Posted on 16 Mar 2012 by Daniel M. Kowalski

"In its decision earlier this month in the case of Vera v. Attorney General of the U.S ., the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit held that a woman who had entered the United States at the age of 12 under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP... Read More