In a press release issued Friday, the Department of Homeland Security announced that it has extended the list of approved degree programs that qualify for the STEM optional practical training extension. STEM refers to designated degrees in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math, which qualify graduates for an extra 17 months of OPT [...]

The White House released a press statement Thursday articulating the importance of international tourism in the U.S. economy. The administration reported that revenue from international tourism, goods, and services in the United States in 2011 rose more than 8% from 2010. The total spending of international visitors to the U.S. last year is estimated at [...]

The Supreme Court of the United States heard arguments Wednesday on Arizona’s controversial immigration law, Arizona SB 1070, which gives Arizona state law enforcement authorities the ability to question the immigration status of a person stopped, arrested, or detained if there is a “reasonable suspicion” that the person is in the United States illegally. The question before the Court is whether or not federal immigration laws preclude Arizona, or any other state, from enacting and enforcing cooperative immigration laws such as SB 1070.

Being a foreign student in the United States can be stressful and confusing. Properly navigating immigration requirements and maintaining status is extremely important. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has created a website to help current and prospective students through the process of coming to the U.S. for study. Study in the States contains information for students [...]

According to the Department of State’s Foreign Affairs Manual a lawful permanent resident that has remained outside the U.S. for more than one year may be eligible for returning resident status. To qualify for such status, the LPR must demonstrate to the consular officer that: (1) at the time of departure, the LPR intended to return to an unrelinquished residence in the States; and (2) his or her reasons for remaining abroad were beyond his or her control. See 9 FAM 42.22 N1.1.