Robert Maples

Today, Secretary of Homeland Security, Kirstjen Nielsen, announced an additional 15,000 H-2B temporary nonagricultural visas will be available for Fiscal Year 2018.  DHS had been under political pressure to release additional H-2B visas by businesses and industry groups citing labor workforce needs.  Groups had been calling for the immediate release of additional H-2Bs to help meet workforce needs in the tourism industry, among others.
Continue Reading DHS Announces Additional 15,000 H-2B Visas for 2018

Rising to the president’s challenge of addressing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) participants in the United States and maintaining a commitment to debate DACA/immigration in exchange for cooperation on last week’s Budget Agreement, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY, Majority Leader) began an immigration week debate in the U.S. Senate. The process unfolded slowly and reached a crescendo Thursday with a series of votes on various immigration packages. Due to Senate procedures, all legislative amendments were required to receive 60+ votes to proceed for Senate consideration. At the end of the process, no package – Durbin for McCain- Coons amendment (DACA + Border), Toomey amendment (Sanctuary Cities), Schumer amendment (Bi-partisan Common Sense Coalition) (DACA + Security/Wall) or Grassley (White House Four Pillars- Wall, Border, Chain Migration, Diversity Lottery ) amendment met the threshold for further action.
Continue Reading Senate Wraps Up Immigration Debate Week

After extended debate, the U.S. Senate set-aside the House-passed Continuing Resolution (CR) and negotiated and passed a CR funding government and programs, including EB-5, until March 23, coupled with a sweeping 2-year budget agreement for FY 18 and FY 19.  The extended debate exceeded the previous CR time extension of midnight Feb. 8, which resulted in a lapse of Appropriations or government shut-down.
Continue Reading Continuing Resolution and Budget Agreement Funds Government and Vital Programs, like EB-5, until March 23rd

A business coalition and many of its members continues to work for passage of a permanent bipartisan legislation solution for Dreamers living, working, and contributing to our economy.   https://www.coalitionfortheamericandream.us/. More than 100 CEOs of businesses from across the industry spectrum and across the United States are represented in this effort.
Continue Reading U.S. Businesses Urge Congress to act on a Solution for the Dreamer/DACA Recipients

On Jan. 25, Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) introduced S. 2344, the Immigration Innovation Act of 2018, or I-Squared.  I-Squared has been long-championed by Senator Hatch and the reintroduction of it this Congress includes “updates for this Congress.” Per Senator Hatch-
Continue Reading U.S. Senate legislation Introduced to Address H-1B and Employment-Based Immigration Reforms

On Monday evening, President Trump signed the Continuing Resolution (CR) into law ending the three-day, 69-hour government shutdown.

In addition to funding the government and other policy-related matters, the CR extends EB-5, E-Verify, Conrad 30, and the Religious Workers immigration programs until Feb. 8.Continue Reading President Trump Signs Continuing Resolution into Law

On Jan. 10, U.S. Chamber of Commerce President, Tom Donohue, delivered the widely-anticipated State of American Business address in Washington D.C.  Much of his remarks focused on policies and opportunities for continuing economic growth in the United States under the social media hashtag of #Jobs2018.  Mr. Donohue applauded the regulatory reforms and tax reforms of the Trump Administration and stated that our country must continue such common-sense reforms to free American job creators and to reset American jobs for the future.
Continue Reading U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Delivers Annual State of American Business Address

The Department of Homeland Security announced the cessation of Temporary Protected Status of citizens from El Salvador. This decision follows recent TPS decisions for Haiti, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Today’s decision…
Continue Reading TPS for El Salvador to End – Transition Extension Through 9/9/19