Musicians and musical artists come to the United States from all over the world. How they may enter and using which visa depends on a number of factors, and some may be surprised as to the many restrictions in place for musicians who would like to play and perform in the US. The issues relating to visas for musicians appeared in headlines throughout major media in 2017, when a number of musicians attempting to travel to the US to perform at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas were not allowed entry. Many of these artists attempted to enter the US on B visas, or through the Visa Waiver Program. While it might be possible in certain situations for musicians to enter in the US under these options, a variety of other visa categories are available that may indeed be a better choice for those who wish to come to the US to play music, depending on a number of factors. Some of the possible visa categories for musicians are: O visas, P visas, the Q-1 visa, and B visa, all of which we will discuss in this post.
Read moreSanctuary Cities 101
While immigration enforcement in the US has often been the subject of heated debate, the question of how immigration law should be enforced and by whom has reached a fever pitch in the year since President Trump took office. Cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, among others, have been labeled “sanctuary cities” based on their political and policy responses to immigration enforcement efforts by the current and past presidential administrations. In the past year, the tension between the Trump administration and these (and other) local governments has led to a struggle that is currently playing out in police stations, legislatures, and courts throughout the United States. The topic is a complicated one, and the laws around these cities are currently in flux, but we’ve put together a brief primer on so-called “sanctuary cities.”
Read moreOPINION: Those in Immigration Court Should Be Provided Legal Assistance Regardless of Ability to Pay
It’s a common scene in any episode of Law & Order: the detective puts the suspect’s wrists in handcuffs while reciting: “You have the right to remain silent, anything you do or say can be used against you in a court of law; you have the right to an attorney, if you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided to you.” (Emphasis mine.) The recognizable “DUN DUN” then gongs as the show goes to a commercial break. It’d be natural to assume, then, that people in all kinds of legal proceedings should have an attorney provided to them, regardless of their ability to pay. In immigration court, however, this is not always the case, as a recent ruling by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals made clear.
Read moreDiplomats and Their Special Privileges
Over 100,000 representatives of foreign governments, including their dependents, are in the United States, and many of these foreign representatives are entitled to some degree of diplomatic immunity and certain privileges. We have written about a variety of immigrant and nonimmigrant visa types for foreign nationals, but diplomats are, in a word, special. We thought we’d take a closer look at visa types for diplomats as well as their privileges while in the US and, importantly, whether they are really responsible for those unpaid parking tickets!
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