New U.S. Immigration Restrictions are Setbacks for Humanity & US Revenue:  Famous Children’s-Book Author (Mem Fox), and Former Norwegian Prime Minister Detained for Questioning by U.S. Immigration 

U.S. has enjoyed a diverse talented workforce, and vibrant immigration history, ancestry and economy.   The new immigration restrictions are a setback to humanity and U.S. revenue.

The new immigration restrictions, and the unnecessary border detention and interrogation will deter international tourism and future talented workforce, important sources of U.S. revenue.

According to data from the World Trade Organization (UNWTO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, the U.S. international tourism brought in US$1.5 trillion of income in 2014.  The new immigration restrictions will dampen international tourism.

For examples, due to the effects of new U.S. immigration restrictions, recently in February 2017, the famous and beloved children’s-book author, Ms. Mem Fox, was detained for a long time by U.S. Immigration (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) (CBP) at the Los Angeles airport, for questioning.  Ms. Fox is the celebrated author of children’s books such as Possum Magic, and Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes.  Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes was an official gift from Australia to the British royal couple, William and Kate, to welcome their new son (Prince George).  During the unfortunate CBP immigration detention, Ms. Fox was visiting America for a conference where she was scheduled to deliver a keynote speech on teaching children to read.  According to interviews conducted by reputable news media with Ms. Fox, Ms. Fox says she can’t imagine traveling to the U.S. again.

Similarly, in January 2017, in an effort to implement the new immigration restrictions, CBP at Washington’s Dulles International Airport unnecessarily prolonged the immigration detention and interrogation of former Prime Minister of Norway, Mr. Kjell Magne Bondevik, because of his prior Iranian visa in his diplomatic passport.  Mr. Bondevik visited Tehran to speak at an anti-extremism conference.  As a former leader of a European nation, Mr. Bondevik is also the president of a major human rights organization and the owner of a diplomatic passport.  Based on interviews of Mr. Bondevik by CNN, Mr. Bondevik had deep concerns regarding the new U.S. immigration restrictions.

CBP is a U.S. law enforcement agency for border management and control, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection.  With over 60,000 employees, CBP is one of the world’s largest law enforcement organizations.

In 2011, immigrants made up of 12.8 percent of the U.S. population, but 15.9 percent of the workforce, according to National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).  Notable foreign-born professionals in just one industry alone who contributed to the U.S. economy included, but are not limited to, big names such as Terminator’s and Total Recall’s Arnold Schwarzenegger, former James Bond’s star Pierce Brosnan, Silence of the Lamb’s Anthony Hopkins, Selma Hayek, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Rachel Weisz of the mega movie “The Mummy”.

The U.S. enjoys continuous growth in GDP, according to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce.   The new immigration restrictions, together with the unnecessary border detention and interrogations, are bludgeoning the applications for admissions into the U.S. by international visitors.  In the near future, the U.S. may not achieve or exceed the 2014 US$1.5 trillion of income it has derived from international tourism.  These immigration restrictions are a turn-off to talented foreigners, discouraging them from applying their expertise within the U.S.  As such, these new immigration restrictions are also disadvantageous to the long-term U.S. GDP.

Given the current immigration maelstrom, please contact an immigration attorney prior to travelling to the U.S.

February 28, 2017 

This article is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be relied on as legal advice or attorney-client relationship. By Aik Wan Kok, Lawyer USA Immigration Services, at Tiya; Tel: 703-772-8224 & info at tiyaimmigration dot com; Direct dial from abroad: 001-703-772-8224; https://www.tiyaimmigration.com ; http://tiyalaw.blogspot.com ; https://immigrationresource.net

Need help with green card, work visas, work permit, sponsoring family, sponsoring employees, sponsoring relatives, hardships or immigration waivers, U.S. naturalization/citizenship, and cases with USCIS, Department of Labor or immigration? We represent employers, companies, individuals, and families in U.S. Immigration & Nationality Law.  Our clients are based nationwide in the U.S. and internationally.  We represent diverse immigration cases including, but are not limiting to: extraordinary ability; national interest waiver; PERM with U.S. Department of Labor; I-130 for sponsoring relatives and families; I-140 for employment green card; I-485 to adjust status; I-765 work permit/employment authorization; I-131 for international travel and returning to the U.S; I-601 extreme hardship waiver relatives of U.S. citizen or green card holder; I-751 joint filing or waiver; I-212 waiver for deportation or removal order; J waiver; H-1B professional worker/specialty occupation; H-2B temporary worker; L executive, manager and specialized knowledge professional transferring from overseas; E treaty investors/traders; B-1 business visitor to the U.S.; B-2 visitor to the U.S.; F-1 student coming to study in the U.S.; matters pertaining to consular processing with U.S. consulates and National Visa Centers; cases with USCIS; cases with U.S. Department of Labor; PERM audit; RFE Request for Evidence; NOID Notice of Intention to Deny; and many more.

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Immigration Relief for Japanese and Other Nationals from the Pacific Stranded due to the Earthquakes and Tsunami

On March, 11, 2011, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that Japanese and other foreign nationals from the Pacific stranded in the United States due to the earthquakes and tsunami devastation, and who have exceeded or are about to exceed their authorized stay in the U.S., may be permitted up to an additional 30 days to depart.

Visitors traveling under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP):

• If you are at an airport, contact the U.S. Customs and Border Protection office at the airport
• All others, please visit the local U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=e39c0b89284a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=e39c0b89284a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD

Visitors traveling under a nonimmigrant visa:

• Visit the local U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=e39c0b89284a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=e39c0b89284a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD
• Bring your passport, evidence that you are stranded (such as an itinerary for the cancelled flight), and your I-94 departure record

For additional immigration relief options, please visit the Special Situations Web page at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=f34d3e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=f34d3e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD.

By Aik Wan Kok Fillali, Attorney at Law, at Tiya PLC; Tel: 703-772-8224 www.tiyaimmigration.com ; http://tiyalaw.blogspot.com ; www.immigrationresource.net

We represent employers, and individuals and their families in green card, work visa and waiver matters in U.S. immigration law.  We also specialize in extraordinary ability and exceptional ability green card cases.

All Rights Reserved. This article is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be relied on as a legal advice or an attorney-client relationship.

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• Temporary Immigration Relief Measures for Foreign Nationals Affected by Civil Unrest or Natural Disasters
• Additional U.S. Immigration Relief for Those Stranded Due to Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan
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