Nir Adhikari

https://www.standwithukraine.how, support Ukraine 🇺🇦🔱. Niranjan* (Nir) is a Lawyer and adviser to large public and private companies, tech companies, startups, research institutes, small and medium enterprises and individuals on visa, immigration & compliance, global mobility, trademarks, business formation and transactions, corporate governance, foreign investment, private int'l law, arbitration and negotiation, franchise agreement, and general legal services. Email: [email protected], Biz Address, Adhikari Law PLLC, 1627 K Street, NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20006, https://adhikarilaw.com/ (Attorney* Advertising)

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#StandWithUkraine not just cheer. www.StandWithUkraine.how contains practical information for Ukrainians (both in Ukraine and refugees abroad) and tips for how citizens of other countries can help Ukraine with their donations and by raising public awareness and pressuring their governments. https://www.standwithukraine.how

StandWithUkraine

#StandWithUkraine contains practical information for Ukrainians (both in Ukraine and refugees abroad) and tips for how citizens of foreign c

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नेपालको वर्तमान आर्थिक स्थितिपत्र, वैशाख २०८३, १४ बैशाख, २०८३

अर्थ मन्त्रालयको आर्थिक स्थितिपत्र तल।

केहि राजद्रोही व्यक्ति, समुह, कठपुतलिहरू र #खरानीग्यांग ले विदेशी फेसबुक, युट्युब, ईन्स्टाग्राम, ह्वास्ट्याप र अन्य ईन्टर्नेटका साधन बन्द गरे भनेर र भ्रष्टाचारको नाम दिएर हिंसा, हमला, संसद हमला र आगजनी, जेल फोरेर, देशै जलाएर, प्रहरी, पर्यटक र युवा हत्या मच्चाए तर देश भने राम्रै गतिमा बढेको देखियो।

हो भ्रष्टाचार, पदको दुरूपयोग, सेटिंग, घोटाला, सरकारी ठेक्कामा ठगि, कालाबजारी जस्ता घटाउदै र बन्द गराउदै लानुपर्थ्यो र पर्छ तर त्यो काम विधी प्रक्रिया र संबैधानिक हिसाबले सत्ताका पात्र परिवर्तनले गरिने हो!

तर ति र सबै प्रकारका अपराधमा दण्ड नदिई—— गरिएको अबैधानिक चुनाब मान्य हुदैन! पुरानो #संसदपुनर्स्थापना र सर्वपक्षिय सरकारको बिकल्प छैन! दण्डसजाय पछी मात्र दोर्याएर चुनाब, त्यसपछी जसले जिते नि भो।

देशको राष्ट्रपतिलाई बन्दुक ताकेर देशको जननिर्वाचित संसदलाई भंग गर्नु गराउनु ठूलो #राजद्रोह र भुल थियो!

सर्वोच्चअदालत ले फैसला दिन ढिलो गर्न हुदैन।

Juntara Khabar: 'देशमा केही भएन' भन्नेलाई अर्थमन्त्रीले देखाए पछिल्लो १० वर्षको यस्तो तस्बिर, पुरानाकाे विराेध गर्नेकाे बाेली बन्द

'देशमा केही भएन' भन्ने जबर्जस्त न्यारेटिभबीच अर्थमन्त्री डा. स्वर्णिम वाग्लेले अर्थतन्त्रको यस्तो तथ्यांक सार्वजनिक गरेका छन्, जसले पछिल्लो एक दशकमा नेपालले मारेको छलाङको तस्बिर देखाउँछ।

अर्थमन्त्री वाग्लेले सोमबार सार्वजनिक गरेको 'आर्थिक स्थितिपत्र' ले विगत एक दशकमा नेपालले मारेको फड्कोलाई तथ्यांकमा देखाएको हो।

उनले खासगरी २०७२ सालको भुइँचालोदेखि २०८२/८३ सम्म आएका परिवर्तन उजागर गरेका छन्। यो त्यही अवधि हो, जब देशमा केही भएन, देश पहिलेभन्दा तन्नम भयो, विकास निर्माण केही भएनन् भन्ने न्यारेटिभ जबर्जस्त रूपमा उठाइएको थियो।

खासगरी ३० वर्षको पञ्चायती व्यवस्थालाई सही साबित गर्न खोजिरहेका राजनीतिक शक्तिहरूले २०४६ को परिवर्तनपछि भएका कामको अवमूल्यन गर्न देशमा केही भएन भन्ने न्यारेटिभ बनाएका थिए।

त्यो न्यारेटिभले पछिल्लो समय धेरैलाई आकर्षित गर्‍यो। देश तन्नम भएको लोकतन्त्र कालमै हो भनेर धेरै मिम बनाइए, धेरै स्ट्याटस लेखिए। हुँदाहुँदा जेनजी आन्दोलन क्रममा पनि विगतमा राजनीतिक दलहरूले केही गरेनन् भन्ने भाष्य निर्माण गरियो।

तर अर्थमन्त्री डा. वाग्लेले सार्वजनिक गरेको आर्थिक स्थितिपत्रले त्यो न्यारेटिभ विपरीतको तथ्यांक देखाएको छ।

यसमा २०७२ सालयताको स्थिति मात्र विश्लेषण गरिएको भए पनि यही आँकडालाई २०४६ साल अगाडिसँग तुलना गर्ने हो भने पछिल्लो ३० वर्षमा देशले मारेको फड्को अझै फराकिलो देखिन्छ।

प्रतिव्यक्ति आय २०७२/७३ मा ८९९ अमेरिकी डलर थियो, जुन अहिले बढेर १,५१७ पुगेको छ।

संरचनात्मक परिवर्तनतर्फ अर्थतन्त्रमा कृषिको हिस्सा २८.४ प्रतिशतबाट घटेर २५.२ प्रतिशतमा झरेको छ भने सेवा क्षेत्रको हिस्सा ५७.५ प्रतिशतबाट बढेर ६२ प्रतिशत पुगेको छ। कुल गार्हस्थ्य उत्पादन (जिडिपी) मा उत्पादनमूलक उद्योगको योगदान भने ५.४५ प्रतिशतबाट खुम्चिएर ५ प्रतिशतमा झरेको छ।

यति हुँदाहुँदै सार्वजनिक वित्तको भार निकै बढेको देखिन्छ। सार्वजनिक ऋण २०७२ असारमा ५ खर्ब ४४ अर्ब (जिडिपीको २२.५ प्रतिशत) रहेकोमा २०८२ फागुनसम्म २८ खर्ब ७८ अर्ब (जिडिपीको ४३.८) पुगेको छ।

तर यही अवधिमा वार्षिक राजस्व संकलन ४ खर्ब ५ अर्ब (२०७१/७२) बाट बढेर ११ खर्ब ७९ अर्ब (२०८१/८२) पुगेको छ।

सामाजिक क्षेत्र र मानव विकास क्षेत्रमा पनि ठूलो तथ्यांकीय परिवर्तन देखिन्छ।

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नेपाली कांग्रेसको प्रतिज्ञा रे, हेरौ के के छ। गफै मात्र हो कि तथ्यगत रुपमा गरिने कुरा र स्रोतको व्यबस्थापन! मेरो सल्लाह यो चुनाबमा कुनै पनि पार्टीलाई “ठूलो” बनाउने हैन! कसैको ईमानजमान छैन धेरै ठूलो हुन वा बहुमत ल्याउन। त्यसैले ४०/५० सिट भन्दा कसैको नकट्योस! सबै दल मिलेर र #भ्रष्टाचार हटाएर हुने हो विकास!

एमाले, कांग्रेसको एकमाना सरकार वा धेरै ठूलो सख्या भएकै बेलामा हो “तुलनात्मक” रूपमा धेरै भ्रष्टाचार, जनताको कर र ऋणमा रजाई र मनलाग्दी र #काण्डैकाण्ड धेरै! #अल्पमतकोसरकार नै अहिलेको अवस्थामा #सुशासन को आधार बन्नसक्छ। तर फेरी मिलेमतो गरेर #दण्डहिनता मच्चाउलान भन्ने डर त छदै छ!

#चर्कोकर आतंक को अन्त्य, सानो र विकेन्द्रित सरकार, र सुशासन पहिलो सुधारका काम हुनुपर्छ!

त्यसैले यो पटकको भोट #मजदुरकिसान पहिलो, #श्रमसंस्कृति दोस्रो, #गतिशिललोकतान्त्रिक, #प्रगतिशिललोकतान्त्रिक, #जनमत, #उज्यालोनेपाल र अन्य साना दलहरुलाई! ठूला दलहरूले #दलेतन्त्र र केन्द्रिकरणका गरि बनाईएको संविधान मा सुधार गरून र अझ बढी लोकतान्त्रिक, विकेन्द्रिकरण र समावेशीता गराउन, र कानुनको शासन र सुशासनको रक्षा गर्नु।

#कुशासन मच्चाउने, करछली, कालाबजारी र ठगि मच्चाउने व्यापारीका झोले र राष्ट्रघाति सम्धिसंझौता गर्ने एमाले, काग्रेस, राप्रपा, नेकपा/माओवादी, र नया भनाउदा रास्वपा, जसपा र सत्तामा गएका दलहरूले हो देशै कमजोर पारेर राजनीतिको अपराधिकरण, अपराधको राजनीतिकरण र दण्डहिनता गराएको! यि पद र सत्तामा गएका दलहरूलाई चुनावमा बहिष्कार, हराउदा वा “सानो” बनाउदा नै सहि हुन्छ। नेपाली कांग्रेसको प्रतिज्ञाको पुर्णपाठः https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J_UQfK0oqzhba4ii2kgOfvtsENABavvl/view

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मेरो सल्लाह यो चुनाबमा कुनै पनि पार्टीलाई “ठूलो” बनाउने हैन! कसैको ईमानजमान छैन धेरै ठूलो हुन वा बहुमत ल्याउन। त्यसैले ४०/५० सिट भन्दा कसैको नकट्योस! सबै दल मिलेर र भ्रष्टाचार हटाएर हुने हो विकास!

एमाले, कांग्रेसको एकमाना सरकार वा धेरै ठूलो सख्या भएकै बेलामा हो “तुलनात्मक” रूपमा धेरै भ्रष्टाचार, जनताको कर र ऋणमा रजाई र मनलाग्दी र काण्डैकाण्ड धेरै!

अल्पमतको सरकार नै अहिलेको अवस्थामा सुशासन को आधार बन्नसक्छ। तर फेरी मिलेमतो गरेर दण्डहिनता मच्चाउलान भन्ने डर त छदै छ!

चर्कोकर आतंक को अन्त्य, सानो र विकेन्द्रित सरकार, र सुशासन पहिलो सुधारका काम हुनुपर्छ!

त्यसैले यो पटकको भोट मजदुर किसान पहिलो, श्रम संस्कृति दोस्रो, उज्यालोनेपाल तेस्रो, गतिशिल लोकतान्त्रिक, प्रगतिशिल लोकतान्त्रिक, जनमत, आमजनता र अन्य साना दलहरुलाई!

ठूला दलहरूले दलेतन्त्र र केन्द्रिकरणका गरि बनाईएको संविधान मा सुधार गरून र अझ बढी लोकतान्त्रिक, विकेन्द्रिकरण र समावेशीता गराउन, र कानुनको शासन र सुशासनको रक्षा गर्नु।

कुशासन मच्चाउने, करछली, कालाबजारी र ठगि मच्चाउने व्यापारीका झोले र राष्ट्रघाति सम्धिसंझौता गर्ने एमाले, काग्रेस, राप्रपा, नेकपा/माओवादी, र नया भनाउदा रास्वपा, जसपा र सत्तामा गएका दलहरूले हो देशै कमजोर पारेर राजनीतिको अपराधिकरण अपराधको राजनीतिकरण र दण्डहिनता गराएको!

यि पद र सत्तामा गएका दलहरूलाई चुनावमा बहिष्कार, हराउदा वा “सानो” बनाउदा नै सहि हुन्छ।

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UK, France call for long-range arms for Ukraine as President Zelensky warns of 'humanitarian disaster'

UK, France call for long-range arms for Ukraine as Zelensky warns of 'humanitarian disaster'

The meeting is expected to focus on how allied nations "can further strengthen Ukraine's hand and cripple Russia's ability to continue to wa

President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders are meeting in London on Oct. 24 for a summit of the "Coalition of the Willing," a European-led initiative launched by the U.K. and France.

The coalition, formed earlier this year, aims to establish long-term security guarantees for Ukraine, potentially including the deployment of a multinational peacekeeping force once the war ends.

The London gathering is meant to focus on how allied nations "can further strengthen Ukraine's hand and cripple Russia's ability to continue to wage war," the British government said.

The allies reaffirmed their support for Ukraine as it continues to face off against Russian aggression, with Paris pledging new missiles and aircraft in the coming days.

Upon arrival in London, Zelensky met with King Charles III and inspected the 1st Battalion of the Grenadier Guards before being received inside Windsor Castle.

Zelensky then met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for talks at 10 Downing Street. During the bilateral meeting, the president warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin is pushing Ukraine into a "humanitarian disaster."

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H-1B petition filing window under the first draw of the lottery is April 1st through June 30, 2025

Adhikari Law PLLC, Washington, D.C. USCIS has completed issuing notices about the H-1B lottery selections. Now the H-1B petition filing wind

H-1B petition filing window under the first draw of the lottery is April 1st through June 30, 2025.

USCIS has completed issuing notices about the H-1B lottery selections. Now the H-1B petition filing window under the first draw of the lottery is April 1st through June 30, 2025.

Lottery selections process

Registrants’ or their legal representative online accounts will show one of the following statuses for each registration (that is, for each beneficiary registered):

Submitted: The registration has been submitted and is eligible for selection. If the initial selection process has been completed, this registration remains eligible for selection in any subsequent selections for the fiscal year for which it was submitted.

Selected: Selected to file an H-1B cap petition.

Not Selected: Not eligible to file an H-1B cap petition based on this registration.

Denied – duplicate registration: Multiple registrations were submitted by or on behalf of the same registrant for the same beneficiary. If denied as a duplicate registration, all registrations submitted by or on behalf of the same registrant for this beneficiary for the fiscal year are invalid.

Invalidated – failed payment: A registration was submitted but the payment method was declined, not reconciled, or otherwise invalid.

Deleted: The submitted registration has been deleted and is no longer eligible for selection.

Processing submission: USCIS is processing your submission. It may take up to 72 hours for all of your case information to show on the case details page. While it is processing, you will be unable to access your draft.

To learn more, call us at ([phone], or email us at [email protected]

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Bring it on more Збройні Сили України / The Armed Forces of Ukraine!

Turn Crimea into a graveyard for Russian forces of war criminals and military equipments!

Міністерство закордонних справ України / MFA of Ukraine

Second Russian military aircraft destroyed within 24 hours, Zelensky says

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 3 that Ukraine's military destroyed a second Russian military aircraft within a 24-hour time period

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USCIS will begin H-1B Electronic Registration in March 2024 for the 2024 lottery

USCIS will open 2024 H-1B electronic registration from March 1st through 18th, 2024 for the lottery under fiscal year 2025 H-1B Cap. USCIS w

Registration for a new organizational account began last month, and the LAST DAY to file H-1B electronic registration is in the noon of March 22nd, 2024, therefore, consider to register for 2024 H-1B registration today.

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See you at Select USA Summit 2024

If you are going to be at Select USA Summit, (https://lnkd.in/eFpy3ZQN) say hello if you see me at the Summit! United States has been a major desination for foreign direct investment because: a) it is the world's largest market, b) it has ease of doing business, c) it has talented and diverse workfoce, d) it has a wide variety of landscapes and natural resources, e) U.S. has a wide range of funding sources, f) democracy, rule of law and strong protection of fundamental rights. To be able to stay and work in the U.S., foreign investors and their employees will have to obtain a right work visa or immigration option. Some of those options could be: B-1 business visitor;  Startup visa for high-growth startup companies;   E-1 Treaty Trader or E-2 Treaty Investor;  L-1A New Business or L-1A Manager or Executive;  O-1A visa for person of extraordinary ability;  TN (Canada/Mexico);  H-1B work visa (or other H visa); or E-5 Investor Immigration Program (Green card). In our news and insights section, you will read about those nonimmigrant visa options and immigration options for foreign investors and their employees. You can Schedule Appointment with me at: https://lnkd.in/gTy_kJRC Al so do not forget to schedule one-on-one meeting with Economic Development Organizations (EDOs) contacts at State level: https://lnkd.in/etXzJ93q EDO contacts at local level: https://lnkd.in/eBCdunVE #selectusasummit #SelectUSA #SelectUSA2022 #SelectUSASummit2023 #SelectUSA2022 #InvestInUSA #AdhikariLaw #NiranjanAdhikari

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Speaker Johnson has flip flopped from his earlier principled position of full support for Ukraine’s victory.

Turns out Speaker Mike Johnson was a beneficiary of Russian campaign funds for his political career! He and GOP congresspersons must join to pass Ukraine Aid and end hostage taking with unrelated crisis.

In fact GOP initially wanted a “stand alone” bill! May be someone could talk some sense into the Speaker, he has a job to do, “legislating”, and not play hostage games!

"A group of Russian nationals were able to donate to newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson's campaign in 2018 by funneling the money through a U.S. company." – Ewan Palmer

One of the men behind the company, Nikolaev, an oligarch with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, was also found to have financially backed Maria Butina, a Russian citizen who lived in Washington D.C. Butina was sentenced to 18 months in prison in 2019 after admitting to acting as an unregistered foreign agent to infiltrate conservative political groups and influence foreign policy to Russia's benefit before and after the 2016 election.” More at https://www.newsweek.com/house-speaker-mike-johnson-donations-russia-butina-1838501

Speaker Johnson has flip flopped from his earlier principled position of full support for Ukraine’s victory. Turns out Speaker #MikeJohnson

Speaker Johnson has flip flopped from his earlier principled position of full support for Ukraine’s victory. Turns out Speaker #MikeJohnson

[niradhikari]

Congratulations to Ukrainian mounainteer Antonina Samoilova for making Everest ⛰️ 🏔️ Summits this year too.

Follow her mountaineering at https://www.instagram.com/tonya.samoilova Donate to charity United24 https://u24.gov.ua/ she supports.

8848 🏔️ Antonina Samoilova 🇺🇦сделала то,что никто и никогда!Тоня Поздравляю! | By Юра | Facebook

8848 🏔️ Antonina Samoilova 🇺🇦сделала то,что никто и никогда!Тоня Поздравляю!

[niradhikari]

टाइम्स हाइएर एजुकेसनले सार्वजनिक गरेको यस बर्षको विश्वविद्यालयको वरियतामा त्रिभुवन विश्वविद्यालयको स्तर खस्किएर १५०० औं स्थानमा पुगेको छ। अघिल्लो बर्ष त्रिभुवन विश्वविद्यालय उत्कृष्ट १००० विश्वविद्यालयमा परेको थियो।

TU has slipped in the World Universities Ranking falling into the 1500th position. TU previously held a position among the top 1000 universities, as ranked by Times Higher Education.

This is the result of bad governance and bad social and value systems of Nepal and Nepali which impacts every spere of lives. These got to change. All must rise and "do their part"! This is going to get worse and worse for many.

Now I will ask "every" management, professors, staff, students leaders and students at TU to explain where they see themselves and how they plan to improve the quality of education and change it for better.

This is the university which does that "shameful" equivalency of "other" universities including world's top ranked ones!

On top of being a failed university (I myself is a product of it and had to do those extra "tuitions" for my I. Sc. and had to demand unaccountable campus chief, party's jhole* students leaders to run classes and labs well) hundreds of thousands of citizens are deprived of good education and higher education due to failing government schools and failed Tribhuwan University. Dorje Gurung (https://www.dorjegurung.com/blog/2022/10/screwed-up-education-system-in-nepal/ (follow him on FB, Dorje's Dooing, Twitter https://twitter.com/Dorje_sDooing) has highlighted so many issues with Nepal's social, governance, education systems and why it needs a massive changes. To start with, the current leaders and administrators (largely of Bahun, Chhetri and Newar) of education and higher ed. must be replaced and changed with more diverse and competent workforce who really cares for students' success. Most of these folks are just "chair warmers" to get their salary, benefits and perks!

*those झोले jhole students leaders were training themself to be "leaders" of Nepali politics by actually destroying science lab (by students group of एमाले, माओवादी), misbehaving with professors (which काग्रेसका विद्यार्थीनेता Gagan Thapa did with one one of our professors), padlocking college, no action on poor infrastructures, some burning tires, destroying properties and blocking traffics instead. These were "criminal acts" but remained unpunished! Those who can afford were forced to take "extra" tuition classes while studying at glorious TU!

#EnoughIsEnoughNepal #votethemout #highereducationnepal #nirnepaldiary

https://www.dorjegurung.com/blog/2022/10/screwed-up-education-system-in-nepal/

https://www.dorjegurung.com/blog/2022/10/screwed-up-education-system-in-nepal/

[niradhikari]

So what? A team made of an accused of child rape, fraud, witness tampering and harassment!

F*** current Cricket Association of Nepal and the #NepalNationalCricketTeam!

#AsianGames2023 #asiagames #WeCan #t20I #nepalworldrecord #nepalvmgl #notmyteam #NotInMyName Hey #ChaturBahadurChand #chaturchand #Chature #dharure

Cricket Association of Nepal-CAN #weCAN #AsianGames #AsianGames2023

Unleashing glory on the... - Cricket Association of Nepal-CAN

Unleashing glory on the field! 🏆🔥 Nepali players rewrite history, smashing records at the epic Nepal vs. Mongolia clash in the Asian Games.

[niradhikari]

Some read on Community Police Reform and a Justice Policing:  New Era of Public Safety: An Advocacy Toolkit for Fair, Safe, and Effective Community Policing: http://policing.civilrights.org/toolkit/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Toolkit.pdf Building Momentum from the Ground Up: A Toolkit for Promoting Justice in Policing: https://populardemocracy.org/sites/default/files/Justice-In-Policing-Toolkit-sm.pdf  

Understand Bias: 

http://kirwaninstitute.osu.edu/research/understanding-implicit-bias/

Take a test about Bias: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/selectatest.html

Learn about Racial Justice: https://eji.org/racial-justice/;  https://www.aclu.org/issues/racial-justice; 

#BlackLivesmatter

[niradhikari]

Trump administration suspends the entry Nonimmigrants of Certain Students and Researchers (graduate level in F and J visa, undergrads are not affected) from the People’s Republic of China. This restriction is narrow but the practical impact is going to be felt by others and those already in the U.S. too. Those studying or conducting research in a field involving information that would not contribute to the PRC’s military‑civil fusion strategy is not affected. Order also provides that pursuant to Section 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) the Secretary State in his discretion may revoke the visa of nationals of the PRC currently in U.S. in F or J visa status and who otherwise meet the criteria described in Section 1.

Section 1 of Executive Order: Suspension and Limitation on Entry.

The entry into the United States as a nonimmigrant of any national of the PRC seeking to enter the United States pursuant to an F or J visa:

to study or conduct research in the United States, except for a student seeking to pursue undergraduate study, and

who either receives funding from [an entity in the PRC] or who currently is

employed; or

studies at; or

conducts research at or on behalf of; or

has been employed by; or

studied at, or

conducted research at or on behalf of,

an entity in the PRC that implements or supports the PRC’s “military-civil fusion strategy”.

For the purposes of this proclamation, the term “military-civil fusion strategy” means actions by or at the behest of the PRC to acquire and divert foreign technologies (i.e. U.S. technologies), specifically critical and emerging technologies, to incorporate into and advance the PRC’s military capabilities.

Sec. 2.  Scope of Suspension and Limitation on Entry. (a)  Section 1 of this proclamation shall not apply to:

(i)    any lawful permanent resident of the United States;

(ii)   any alien who is the spouse of a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident;

(iii)  any alien who is a member of the United States Armed Forces and any alien who is a spouse or child of a member of the United States Armed Forces;

(iv)   any alien whose travel falls within the scope of section 11 of the United Nations Headquarters Agreement or who would otherwise be allowed entry into the United States pursuant to United States obligations under applicable international agreements;

(v)    any alien who is studying or conducting research in a field involving information that would not contribute to the PRC’s military‑civil fusion strategy, as determined by the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the appropriate executive departments and agencies (agencies);

(vi)   any alien whose entry would further important United States law enforcement objectives, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their respective designees, based on a recommendation of the Attorney General or his designee; or

(vii)  any alien whose entry would be in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their respective designees. Learn more https://www.adhikarilaw.com/news-and-alerts/legal-alert/trump-administration-suspends-the-entry-of-certain-students-and-researchers-from-china/

[niradhikari]

Frequently Asked Questions for SEVP Stakeholders about COVID-19: Updated

This document provides answers to frequently asked questions from Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) stakeholders about the impact of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID19) on SEVP-certified schools and F and M students. Note: SEVP continues to actively monitor COVID-19 and provide up-to-date information to stakeholders, including designated school officials (DSOs) and F and M students. Due to the fluid nature of this situation, the answers in this document may be subject to change. Refer to

ICE.gov/COVID19 for the most up-to-date version of this FAQ.

SOME SELECTED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

Nonimmigrant Students

Maintaining student records

Many F and M students may choose to travel home and complete the spring term remotely. Since they are still enrolled, do DSOs have to cancel their Forms I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” if they are taking classes outside of the United States? If their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records remain in Active status, will students be subject to the five-month rule?

Ans: Under current conditions, if an Active F student leaves the United States to complete the spring term online, their SEVIS record should remain in Active status and not be terminated. While the temporary measures related to COVID-19 are in place, students deemed to be maintaining status if they are making normal progress in their course of study. For that reason, the five-month temporary absence provision addressed in 8 C.F.R. 214.2(f)(4) will not apply for students who remain in Active status.

SEVP will allow F and M students to temporarily count online classes toward a full course of study in excess of the limits stated in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G) and 8 CFR 214.2(m)(9)(v), even if they have left the United States and are taking the online classes elsewhere. This temporary provision is only in effect due to COVID-19 and only for schools that comply with the requirement to notify SEVP of any procedural changes within 10 business days.

10. Schools have extended their academic year by a certain number of days due to  COVID-19. How should DSOs handle SEVIS records for these students and what should be done for students who already applied for optional practical training (OPT)?

Ans: Student academic calendars and SEVIS records should be consistent. Schools should keep an official record of its academic calendar adjustment to provide to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) if a request is made and as documentation for any appropriate changes in a student’s SEVIS record.

Regarding OPT applications, DHS is evaluating related issues and may issue additional guidance. In the meantime, since U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) adjudicates OPT employment authorization requests, SEVP recommends reaching out to USCIS for further guidance.

11. If students cannot or will not return to school when in-person instruction resumes, should their records be terminated for authorized early withdrawal?

Once a school returns to normal operations, if students cannot or choose not to return to the United States to study, DSOs should terminate the records. Refer to the Terminate Student article in the SEVIS Help Hub on Study in the States for additional information.

Employment

2. Can students engaged in OPT and the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) OPT extension work remotely when appropriate and permitted by the employer? If so, do they need to submit an updated Form I-983?

Ans: Students currently participating in OPT, including STEM OPT, may work remotely if their employer has an office outside of the United States or the employer can assess student engagement using electronic means. Students participating in STEM OPT do not need to submit an updated Form I-983 to report remote work. However, requirements to submit an updated Form I-983 for other changes remain in effect. See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(C)(9)(ii) for additional information.

3. Can students with proper authorization participate in curricular practical training (CPT) while they are abroad?

Ans: Students may engage in CPT during their time abroad, provided they are:

Enrolled in a program of study in which CPT is integral to the program of study;

Their DSO authorized CPT in advance of the CPT start date; and

Either the employer has an office outside the United States or the employer can assess student engagement and attainment of learning objectives electronically.

As noted in SEVP’s March 13, 2020, COVID-19: Guidance for SEVP Stakeholders, this enrollment may be online. All other requirements at 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i) still apply.

4. Does time spent studying outside of the United States during the COVID-19 emergency count toward the one-year requirement for CPT and OPT?

Ans: An F student accrues eligibility for practical training whether they are inside or outside of the United States during the COVID-19 emergency if the student is in Active status in SEVIS and meets the requirements of their school’s procedural change plans submitted to SEVP.

6. Due to COVID-19, what is SEVP’s advice to students who want to apply for OPT? Is there any chance that students would be able to apply for post-completion OPT from outside the United States?

Ans: DHS is evaluating these issues and may issue additional guidance. In the meantime, since USCIS adjudicates OPT employment authorization requests, SEVP recommends reaching out to USCIS for further guidance.

7. Can students apply for OPT while outside of the United States by filing a Form I765, “Application for Employment Authorization,” from abroad?

Ans: SEVP understands stakeholder concerns about the need for guidance. As the COVID19 emergency continues, the program will continue to develop guidance on significant issues and publish it at ICE.gov/Coronavirus. SEVP is collaborating with interagency components on these issues, including USCIS, CBP and the Department of State.

The request presented in this question is primarily for consideration by USCIS, which adjudicates Forms I-765. SEVP is willing to cooperate in implementing such procedures so long as they are reviewed and approved as part of the DHS response to the COVID-19 crisis.

8. Must students cease engaging in OPT if they are now working fewer than 20 hours a week due to the economic impacts of COVID-19?

Ans: For the duration of the COVID-19 emergency, SEVP considers students who are working in their OPT opportunities fewer than 20 hours a week as engaged in OPT.

10. Will there be an extension or suspension of the 90-day/150-day allowed period of unemployment for OPT and STEM OPT during the COVID-19 emergency?

Ans: DHS is evaluating this issue but has not yet determined whether to implement a specific exemption for exceeding the regulatory limits for unemployment of 90 days for OPT and 150 days for STEM OPT.

11.Can F and M students who were previously employed and are now unemployed due to COVID-19 apply for unemployment benefits?

Ans: Students who are unemployed due to COVID-19 should contact their local or state employment agency for more information.

Please contact us at ([phone], or email us at [email protected] if you like to learn more about this topic or has questions.

Note: This is a blog post by Adhikari Law PLLC and should NOT be construed as a legal advice.

[niradhikari]

U.S. Begins Implementation of E-2 Investor Visa for Israeli Nationals

Adhikari Law PLLC. The U.S. has started the implementation of the U.S. E-2 Investor Visa for Israeli nationals, beginning May 1. E-2 visa is a temporary (nonimmigrant) visa that can be used to develop, direct, or provide specialized skills to an enterprise in which the owner has invested a substantial amount of capital. With the implementation of this visa, Israeli investors now have the opportunity to invest in the U.S. economy and send qualified employees to the United States. Likewise, U.S. citizens will be eligible to apply for visas to invest in Israel.

To qualify for a Treaty Investor (E-2) visa:

·         The investment must be substantial and sufficient to ensure the successful operation of the enterprise;

·         The business must be a real operating enterprise;

·         The investor must be traveling to the U.S. to develop and direct the enterprise;

·         If the applicant is not the investor, he or she must be employed in a supervisory, executive, or highly specialized skill capacity.

All Israeli companies seeking E-visas for their owners or employees must apply at the Branch Office in Tel Aviv and establish that the trading enterprise or investment meets the requirements. The company and applicant have the burden of demonstrating fulfillment of requirements for Treaty Trader/Investor status under Foreign Affairs Manual. For both first-time applicants and renewals, the company must submit supporting documents, including the individual application for the employee, by mail.

If USCIS authorized a Change of Status to E for a person in the United States, that status is only valid as long as you remain in the United States. To obtain an E-visa, the company and applicant must submit a complete package by mail as per first time applicants.

Selected Required Documents:

·         Cover Letter: This must be printed on company letterhead and outline the company’s qualifications for E-1 status. The letter must address all the requirements for E visa eligibility as defined by the Foreign Affairs Manual.

·         Table of Contents: Identify the documents provided and their location in the binder.

·         Completed Application: Form DS-156E Part I- Business Profile, and Part II -Staff.  Please complete every question and do not write “see attached” in response to any question.

·         Evidence that the company meets the ownership requirements:

o    For public companies: a translated copy of the Company Registrar from the Israeli Ministry of Justice, detailing the shareholders’ names and percentage of stock ownership, and a statement from a CPA stating the amount of stock that is traded on any stock exchange.

o    For privately owned companies: documentation of ownership.

o    For companies that are ultimately owned by other Israeli companies or by a consortium: documentation identifying the ultimate shareholders by nationality (Note: To the extent that a certain percentage of a company’s stock is traded on the TASE, the nationality of the shareholders of that stock may be assumed to be Israeli.)

o    For companies that have been incorporated in the U.S.: certificate/articles of incorporation, certificate of shares issued to shareholders, business license, and lease contracts. [In all cases, please submit a formal CPA letter indicating the nature of the company (branch, subsidiary, or partnership), its structure, the ownership distribution, and nationality of shareholders.]

·         Proof of Israeli nationality: The nationality of an enterprise is determined by the nationality of its individual owners.  Documents to prove nationality may include a valid passport of the owners of the ultimate parent company.

·         Evidence that at least 50% of international trade is between the U.S. and Israel: A formal statement from the company’s CPA showing international imports/exports over the last year. The statement must include:

o    Which countries the company imports from

o    Which countries the company export to

o    The volume of trade with each country

o    The volume of returned goods

o    The number of transactions with each country

·         Evidence of substantial and continuous flow in goods/services:

o    Invoices of purchases and sales for the last year

o    Bank records

o    Bills of shipment

o    Contract

·         Evidence of the company’s financial situation:

o    Most recent audited financial statement

o    Most recent quarterly annual report

o    Most recent U.S. tax return

·         The file MUST include an Employee’s visa application:

o    Completed DS-160

o    Evidence of payment of the MRV application fee (payable on the Visa Information Service website)

o    One photograph that meets the specifications

o    Form DS-156E

o    Employee’s Curriculum Vitae

o    Letter on company letterhead explaining the reasons why the employee must be in the U.S. and a description of his/her responsibilities

o    Photocopy of the bio page of the employee’s passport

·         Visa application for dependents: for each family member

The documentation requirement and the process for E-2 visa is complex and generally requires a professional help. If you or your employer want to learn more about E-2 Investor Visa program or work visa for manager or executives do contact us at ([phone] (toll free), or ([phone], or email us at [email protected]

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Note: This is a blog post by Adhikari Law PLLC LC and should NOT be construed as a legal advice.