Bousquet Holstein PLLC

We're excited to see our Chief of Operations (COO) Alicia Madden will be a featured speaker at the 2025 CNY Women's Summit on March 7th! The Summit is meant to provide tools, resources, and relationships for women professionals and business leaders in Central New York. Alicia will be hosting a roundtable for the Women in Male Dominated Industries breakout session. Only 23% of COOs are women in North America, according to the International Business Report (IBR). Let us know if you'll be attending this year and we'll make sure to say hello!?https://lnkd.in/eHXVRJvq

Bousquet Holstein PLLC announces that after an extraordinary career, Ithaca attorney Randall Marcus has decided to retire. Over his 40-year career, Randy developed a stellar reputation for his work in commercial real estate transactions, development and financing, and general business counseling.?He also served in leadership positions with a number of nonprofit organizations, making a lasting impact on the Ithaca community beyond his legal practice. Bousquet Holstein has been proud to be associated with Randy, who has been an exemplar for our colleagues. We wish him a long, happy, and healthy retirement! https://lnkd.in/gH3wfmU4

On January 20, 2025, the Trump Administration issued the "Protecting the American People Against Invasion" executive order, reinforcing the legal obligation for certain non-citizens to register with the U.S. government. The Administration has warned that failure to comply will be treated as a civil and criminal enforcement priority. For any questions related to this new registration requirement, please contact Anna Putintseva at [email protected]. She can review your specific situation and provide necessary guidance. For more information, please visit https://lnkd.in/eByMZb3U. #Immigration #DHS #USCIS #ImmigrationLaw

???????????????? ????, ???????? More updates this week as President Trump continues to cut legal immigration pathways and more lawsuits are brought against his Administration. Here is the latest: 1?? ICE Entering Certain Sensitive Spaces – TEMPORARILY BLOCKED A Federal Judge has issued a temporary block restricting ICE agents from entering certain places of worship. The lawsuit, brought by a group of various religious organizations, argues that allowing ICE to enter these locations infringes on the First Amendment of the Constitution and threatens free exercise of religion under federal law. With this new development, approximately 1,700 places of worship across 35 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico will be considered off limits to ICE raids. 2?? Haitian TPS Under Fire by Trump Administration? ? In January, President Trump began revoking legal temporary immigration programs, starting with Temporary Protection Status (TPS) for Venezuelans. On 2/20, DHS Secretary Noem vacated the 18-month extension and redesignation of TPS for Haitians, with plans to begin deportations in August. Over 500,000 Haitians will be affected by this decision, some of which have had protections since 2010 under the Obama Administration. Noem will next decide if other protections for Haitians will be revoked.? ? As a reminder, TPS is intended to allow foreign nationals from designated countries experiencing ongoing armed conflict, natural disasters or other extraordinary conditions to temporarily live and work in the U.S. while dangerous conditions persist in their home country.? ? Immigration advocates are already challenging the elimination of TPS with the courts and are asking a judge for an injunction. After TPS for Venezuelans was revoked, it was predicted that there would be significant economic repercussions for the U.S. that will only be exacerbated by the removal of TPS for Haitians, as there would be over one (1)?million migrants unable to work in the U.S.? ? 3?? ICE Acting Director Reassigned? ? Caleb Vitello, the acting Director of ICE, has been reassigned by The White House in an effort to increase deportations. Now, President Trump says Vitello will be overseeing “all field and enforcement operations.” No replacement has been named at this time, but it is expected that Madison D. Sheahan, Secretary of Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, will be named Deputy Director of ICE.? ? Immigration and deportation are a pillar of the Trump Administration, but the levels of mass deportation that President Trump expects are not possible without the financial backing of Congress, which the administration currently does not have. ICE does not have enough manpower or resources to keep up with President Trump’s demands, but the President is still calling for more deportations, saying that ICE needs “to do better.”

We are just over a week away -- Registration for the (FY) 2026 H-1B cap season will open at?noon ET on March 7, 2025. Here is everything employees and employers need to know from corporate immigration attorney Anna Putintseva. The initial H-1B registration period: ?? Opens: March 7, 2025 (Noon ET) ?? Closes: March 24, 2025 (Noon ET) ?? Registration Fee: $215 per beneficiary Key Points: ?? Employers must register electronically for each intended beneficiary. ?? Lottery: If registrations exceed the cap, USCIS will conduct a lottery. ?? Selections: Notifications expected by March 31, 2025. ?? Petition Filing Window: April 1, 2025 – June 30, 2025. ?? H-1B Employment Start Date: October 1, 2025. For assistance with your H-1B filing or any questions, please email Anna at [email protected]. For more information on H-1B Visa eligibility and how to apply, see Anna's full breakdown here: https://lnkd.in/gpc4jffb #H1BVisa #H1B #Immigration #WorkVisa #Law

???????????????? ????, ???????? Immigration has continued to be a prevalent topic in the news this week as President Trump initiates further policy changes and deportations. Here are the latest updates:? ? 1?? Trump Administration Working to End Federal Benefits for Undocumented Migrants? ? On 2/19, President Trump signed an executive order with intentions to eliminate federally funded benefits for undocumented migrants, but it is currently unclear which programs will be affected. Apart from some emergency situations, undocumented immigrants are largely ineligible for federal benefits, the largest of which is Social Security. It is worth noting that U.S. Social Security tax is taken from all paychecks, regardless of immigration status. According to 2024 research, undocumented immigrants have contributed tens of billions of dollars to the U.S. Social Security system via tax payments – annually contributing an estimated 20 billion dollars towards benefits they are not eligible for.? ? 2?? Asylum Seekers Deported to Panama? ? As President Trump attempts to accelerate deportations, approximately 300 asylum seekers have been deported to Panama, where they are being held in a hotel.? ? There are reports of migrants being denied access to translators and having their passports and cell phones taken. The Panamanian government has stated that the detained migrants?have no criminal backgrounds and will not be allowed access to a lawyer.? ? Panama has deported approximately 13 individuals to their home countries. However, many migrants (originating from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Vietnam, and China) fear for their lives if forced to return. Those who have refused voluntary repatriation have been relocated to a camp in the Panamanian jungle while officials determine their next destination.? ? 3?? Trump Administration Fires Multiple Immigration Judges? ? On 2/14, President Trump fired 18 immigration judges?as?the ever-growing backlog of immigration cases?reaches?3.7 million. The Administration did not explain why the judges were fired. Immigration judges preside over asylum cases, hearing claims from asylum seekers before granting or denying asylum. It is expected that these firings will only worsen the backlog of immigration cases, as each judge presides over 500-700 cases a year.

We are #hiring! Bousquet Holstein is seeking a Librarian to join us full-time in the firm's Syracuse office. For more information about this role and how to apply, please visit https://lnkd.in/gnHb7JKJ.

Join us on March 1 for an informative CLE on Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) featuring presentations from BH attorneys Sharon A. McAuliffe and Cameron Bernard. This session will include a panel discussion with the Honorable Jean Marie Westlake and the Honorable Kevin Kuehner, who will share insights on the key language they look for in QDROs. Perfect for matrimonial and family law attorneys, don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding of QDROs (they don't have to be a disaster). Register today! https://lnkd.in/gPgkVENB

?? H-1B Visa Lottery Season is Approaching! ?? As we enter the FY2026 H-1B lottery season, it is essential for employers and employees to understand the key dates and requirements for H-1B registration and filing. The initial H-1B registration period: ?? Opens: March 7, 2025 (Noon ET) ?? Closes: March 24, 2025 (Noon ET) ?? Registration Fee: $215 per beneficiary Key Points: ?? Employers must register electronically for each intended beneficiary. ?? Lottery: If registrations exceed the cap, USCIS will conduct a lottery. ?? Selections: Notifications expected by March 31, 2025. ?? Petition Filing Window: April 1, 2025 – June 30, 2025. ?? H-1B Employment Start Date: October 1, 2025. For a comprehensive breakdown of what employers and employees need to know for this year’s H-1B applications, I’ve prepared a detailed alert, which you can read here: https://lnkd.in/eN2cfV_j. For assistance with your H-1B filing or any questions, reach out via LinkedIn or email at [email protected], and please share this post with anyone who may benefit from this information! #H1B #ImmigrationLaw #H1BLottery #LegalServices #BusinessImmigration #WorkVisa #ImmigrationAttorney

???????????????? ??, ???????? Since my last post on 1/30, we've seen several policy updates in the news. Here is the latest: 1??First Migrants Flown to Guantanamo Bay ? On 2/4, the first U.S. military plane flew migrants to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba from El Paso, Texas. DOD reports there were 10 migrants aboard. As a part of Guantanamo's expansion, there are currently 50 tents surrounded by chain link fence adjacent to the Migrant Operations Center. ? This is the first time the U.S. government has flown migrants from within the U.S. to Guantanamo Bay. Several advocates raise concerns about the lack of transparency around these transfers and call attention to Guantanamo’s infamous history of inhuman treatment and unfair trials. Many questions remain regarding which migrants will be detained, migrants’ rights during detention, access to legal and social services, and how long they can legally be held. ? 2??Termination of TPS for Venezuelans Granted in 2023 ? On 2/3, DHS announced that Venezuelans with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) granted in 2023 will not be granted a 6-month extension. 2023 TPS will be terminated at 11:59 PM on April 7th, 2025, citing that Venezuela no longer meets the conditions for the 2023 designation. Those with 2021 designation of Venezuela for TPS, will maintain their status until September 10, 2025. As a result of this decision, more than 348,000 Venezuelans will lose work permits and could be deported. ? 3??Birthright Citizenship Safe Until Further Notice ? On 2/5, Judge Deborah L. Boardman of the Maryland Federal District Court, issued a nationwide preliminary injunction to block President Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship. This injunction is more durable than the previous restraining order (addressed in my 1/27 update), which would have expired on 2/6, and will likely remain until the case is resolved or a higher court overturns it. The DOJ would need to next appeal to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. In reference to President Trump’s Day One executive order citing a new interpretation of the 14th Amendment, Judge Boardman says, “In fact, no court in the country has ever endorsed the president’s interpretation. This court will not be the first.” ? ? 4??Potential Migrant Deportation to El Salvador Prisons ? On 2/3, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that El Salvador has offered use of its mega-prison to the U.S. to house deported migrants of any nationality, in addition to the new spaces at Guantanamo Bay. The government has not said if they will be taking Salvadorian President Nayib Bukele up on this offer, but legal scholars and immigration advocacy groups are raising concerns about the legality of this deportation strategy. The U.S.?Department of State’s?2023 Country Report on Human Rights Practices describes El Salvador’s overcrowded prison conditions as “harsh and life-threatening.” We'll continue to monitor these news items for further developments. #Immigration #News #Law #BorderSecurity