New U.S. Pilot Program May Require Tourists and Business Visitors to Post a Visa Bond of $5,000–$15,000

New U.S. Pilot Program May Require Tourists and Business Visitors to Post a Visa Bond of $5,000–$15,000

By: Mary Campbell The U.S. Department of State has instituted a 12-month pilot program effective August 20, 2025, and running through August 5, 2026, aimed at reducing visa overstays by requiring certain B‑1/B‑2 visa applicants to post a refundable bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, at the discretion of the consular officer. Scope and Applicability This pilot applies exclusively […]

ICE Arrests Maine Police Reserve Officer Amid Dispute Over Visa Status

ICE Arrests Maine Police Reserve Officer Amid Dispute Over Visa Status

By: Mary Campell | Editorial credit: Sua Sponte Photography / Shutterstock.com OLD ORCHARD BEACH, Maine — A controversy is unfolding in this coastal resort town after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested reserve Officer Jon‑Luke Evans on July 25, 2025, for allegedly overstaying his visa and attempting to purchase a firearm for use in his […]

Don’t Get Deported: Green Card Lottery: Undocumented Individuals’ Ineligibility & Scam Risks

Don’t Get Deported: Green Card Lottery: Undocumented Individuals’ Ineligibility & Scam Risks

By Brian Figeroux, Esq. An analysis of the current Green Card Lottery system. If you are undocumented in the US, you are most likely not eligible.  Be careful of lottery scams that can get you deported by notaries or lawyers. The Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program, often referred to as the Green Card Lottery, is […]

The U.S. Visa Waiver Program: An In-Depth Analysis of Overstays and Enforcement Policies

The U.S. Visa Waiver Program: An In-Depth Analysis of Overstays and Enforcement Policies

By Brian Figeroux, Esq.  The United States Visa Waiver Program (VWP) facilitates streamlined travel for citizens of designated countries, promoting tourism and business engagements. However, the program faces challenges, notably individuals who overstay their authorized period and become undocumented residents. This comprehensive analysis examines the VWP’s structure, estimates the prevalence of overstays leading to undocumented […]

Deportation Defenses and Legal Representation: Navigating the Complexities of U.S. Immigration Law

Deportation Defenses and Legal Representation: Navigating the Complexities of U.S. Immigration Law

By Brian Figeroux, Esq. | Editorial credit: Bartolomiej Pietrzyk/ shutterstock.com Increased deportation enforcement, particularly against individuals who have failed to meet asylum criteria or were ordered deported in absentia, has made deportation defense a critical area of immigration law. These proceedings can drastically alter an immigrant’s life, resulting in their removal from the United States, […]