Mark Zuckerberg Launches 10 Million Dollar Campaign for Immigration Reform
In the spring of 2013, Facebook founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg founded an advocacy group called FWD.us with the goal of supporting policies that help keep the American Dream achievable. They have focused heavily on immigration reform and a few weeks ago, the organization announced the launch of a $10 million campaign to make reform happen in 2017, after the inauguration of a new President. The campaign is expected to include digital and televised advertisements as well as research and polling.
In anticipation of the coming election, FWD.us has decided to expand their reach to 12 more states, aiming specifically for districts governed by Republicans. They hope that with a loud enough presence informing voters of the stakes, they can combat the hard line immigration rhetoric that the GOP candidates have put forth so far.
Zuckerberg has been an increasingly vocal advocate for immigration reform, driven at first by the technology industry’s interest in visas for high-skill workers, and more recently, by the Dreamer community, with whom he has closely allied himself.
FWD.us has predicted that the election in 2016 is going to have a high turnout of Latino and Asian American voters. They hope that politicians will recognize the increasing importance of these demographics and that this recognition will influence candidates to promote immigration reform policies.
U.S. Army Changes Enlistment Rules for Dual Citizens
The Department of the Army has announced a new exception to its policy on the enlistment of dual citizens. Under the new policy, applicants who hold dual citizenship with the U.S. and another country, and who wish to enlist in the Regular Army, the Army Reserve, or the Army National Guard can now enlist into a Military Occupational Specialty that requires a security clearance. They do not need to have this security clearance before they enlist, but they must obtain one before performing any duties in their Military Occupational Specialty of choice. This change went into effect on June 22, 2015 and it will expire on June 30, 2016 or sooner if superseding guidance is published.
An Additional 16 Countries are Eligible to Participate in the H-2A and H-2B Visa Programs
The H-2A and H-2B visa programs allow U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the U.S. to fill temporary agricultural and nonagricultural jobs.
USCIS has announced that the following countries may now participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs: Andorra, Belgium, Brunei, Colombia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Lichtenstein, Luxemburg, Malta, Monaco, San Marino, Singapore, Taiwan, and Timor-Leste.
Moldova will no longer be eligible to participate in the H-2B program because it is not meeting the required standards. Moldova can still participate in the H-2A program.
The notice does not affect individuals who currently live in the U.S. and already have H-2A or H-2B status unless they apply to change their status. Each country’s designation is valid for one year from January 18, 2016.
For a complete list of countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs click here.
White House Announces Enhancements to the Visa Waiver Program
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) permits visa free travel to the U.S. for citizens of 38 partner countries around the world. It uses a multifaceted security system to prevent terrorists, felons, and other potentially dangerous individuals from entering the U.S.
Over the last year, and particularly in the wake of the attacks in Paris, the government has taken steps to enhance the security measures of the VWP and to ensure that those enhancements can be enacted quickly and enforced to the maximum degree.
For a complete list of the enhanced security measures click here.
See this month’s Featured Post about the new Omnibus spending bill which contains provisions relating to the security of the VWP.
State Department Updates its Policy on Personal/Domestic Employees of U.S. Citizens on Temporary Assignment in the U.S.
The State Department has updated its policy on personal/domestic employees of U.S. citizens on temporary assignment in the U.S. Under the new policy, individuals who fall into this category can now stay in the U.S. for up to six years, where previously the maximum stay was four years. To read the full policy click here.
Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided as a public service and not intended to establish an attorney client relationship. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk.