1. Openers

Dear Readers:

The Winter Olympics in Vancouver are finally here and as has been the case with past Games, immigrants are well-represented on the US team. In tribute to the competition, we are running an ABCs of Immigration article on O-1 visas, one of the categories used by athletes to enter the United States.

We also include a guest article by Enrique Arrelano on Mexican immigration laws. Enrique is our Mexico representative in Visalaw International. VLI is a global alliance of immigration lawyers and Siskind Susser is the alliance’s US representative.

Those of you monitoring immigration reform are still waiting and wondering when we’ll see some action. This past week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi echoed recent statements from the White House claiming to want to pass immigration reform this year. We still have not seen a bill introduced, though some are saying we’ll see an outline as early as this month and draft legislation next month. I’m not holding my breath as it seems that there is no real coordination and no clear strategy coming from the Democrats. We’ll have to wait and see.

I also participated in a program this week attended by more than 600 people regarding a new memorandum from USCIS on H-1B visas. USCIS last month released a memo that largely bars staffing and self-employment arrangements in the H-1B context, something that appears to have no support in immigration law. USCIS largely was on the defensive during the call, particularly as it relates to their failure to go through the legally required rulemaking process as well as a host of unintended consequences that have been unleashed. I asked a question regarding the impact of the memo on doctor immigration as many types of common physician employment arrangements would potentially be barred. USCIS says they will review the points raised in the two hour meeting. They would be wise to do so as litigation seems right around the corner.

In firm news, I will be hosting the second of three teleconferences this coming week on Haitian immigration options in the wake of the earthquake. If you would like to participate, please go to www.ilw.com.

Finally, we would invite readers interested in becoming Siskind Susser clients to contact us. My email is gsiskind@visalaw.com and my phone number is 901-682-6455. Our firm assists clients locating anywhere in the US and we have attorneys with expertise in most areas of immigration law. You can also request an appointment by filling out a request form at http://www.visalaw.com/intake.html.

Regards,

Greg Siskind