Steve Maggi Archives - Immigration Expert Steve Maggi

The Travel Ban Just Doubled: 20 More Countries Added to U.S. Entry Restrictions

SMA Law Firm2025-12-17T15:32:57-05:00

If You’re From One of These 39 Countries, Your Path to America Just Got Exponentially Harder—Or Impossible

In a stunning expansion of executive immigration power, the Trump administration announced Tuesday that it is doubling the number of countries facing U.S. travel restrictions, adding 20 nations and the Palestinian Authority to an already controversial ban that has separated […]

The Travel Ban Just Doubled: 20 More Countries Added to U.S. Entry RestrictionsSMA Law Firm2025-12-17T15:32:57-05:00

“America Welcomes the World”—Except When It Doesn’t: How the World Cup Exposes U.S. Immigration Hypocrisy

SMA Law Firm2025-12-15T15:21:03-05:00

Haiti Qualifies for Their First World Cup in 51 Years—But Their Fans Are Banned From Attending

In June 2026, the United States will host the FIFA World Cup—the largest sporting event in history, featuring 78 matches across 11 American cities. President Trump himself declared at a White House ceremony that the tournament represents “welcoming the […]

“America Welcomes the World”—Except When It Doesn’t: How the World Cup Exposes U.S. Immigration HypocrisySMA Law Firm2025-12-15T15:21:03-05:00

Trapped Outside the US: When Social Media Becomes Your Immigration Record

SMA Law Firm2025-12-11T05:08:32-05:00

How One Client’s Three-Month Delay Reveals the Hidden Dangers of Digital Vetting

In an era where constitutional guarantees like birthright citizenship face unprecedented challenges, a quieter but equally disruptive reality is unfolding at U.S. ports of entry and consulates worldwide: your social media presence has become part of your immigration file—and it can derail your […]

Trapped Outside the US: When Social Media Becomes Your Immigration RecordSMA Law Firm2025-12-11T05:08:32-05:00

What is actually happening with the “mass deportations” and “immigration crackdown” so far?

SMA Law Firm2025-06-23T13:23:42-04:00

What is actually happening with the “mass deportations” and “immigration crackdown” so far?

1. 8,000 people have been detained so far as part of the Trump administration’s “targeted enforcement”. These high-end criminals with outstanding arrest warrants are called the “worst of the worst”.

My take: This means approximately 4,000 people are being […]

What is actually happening with the “mass deportations” and “immigration crackdown” so far?SMA Law Firm2025-06-23T13:23:42-04:00

President Trump: “The Cleansing” and the chaos that might ensue

SMA Law Firm2025-05-30T12:37:27-04:00

As we have seen many times in history, often with horrific consequences, new leaders frequently try to purge their enemies when taking power. In the case of the potential second term of Donald Trump, his primary public target appears to be immigrants.

President Trump has often outlined his goal of “mass deportations.” There are numerous […]

President Trump: “The Cleansing” and the chaos that might ensueSMA Law Firm2025-05-30T12:37:27-04:00

Why the H-1B Visa cap Should be Eliminated

SMA Law Firm2024-11-04T14:56:20-05:00

Addressing the Mismatch: Eliminating the H-1B Cap to Meet Employer Demand for Employment-Based Visas in the US

The United States has long been a land of opportunity, attracting global talent and fostering innovation. However, the current system of employment-based visas falls short in meeting the increasing demand from employers. One particular visa category, the H-1B, has […]

Why the H-1B Visa cap Should be EliminatedSMA Law Firm2024-11-04T14:56:20-05:00

Remembering Steve Cozzi, an amazing lawyer and friend

SMA Law Firm2024-11-05T11:25:08-05:00

Steve Cozzi was one of those rare people you meet in life that made you want to get to know them well, all with a handshake and a few minutes of conversation. He radiated kindness, sincerity, empathy, and genuine nature, and he believed steadfastly in justice and that the law was a positive force […]

Remembering Steve Cozzi, an amazing lawyer and friendSMA Law Firm2024-11-05T11:25:08-05:00

The A to Z of US Immigration

SMA Law Firm2024-11-05T13:14:01-05:00

U.S. Immigration law is an alphabet soup of visa categories and concepts, and I thought it would be interesting to try to go from A to Z and see if I could come up with something for each letter. Here goes!

A: Alien – This is the term used for any foreign national involved in […]

The A to Z of US ImmigrationSMA Law Firm2024-11-05T13:14:01-05:00

From US citizens to Personas Non Grata to US citizens again

SMA Law Firm2024-11-05T13:30:19-05:00

The Ortegas were all U.S. citizens, from the grandfather, Joaquin Sr., to his son, Joaquin Jr., and Jr.’s wife, Laura, and their three kids, including 17-year-old Joaquin III. What made this family unique was that they were all U.S. citizens, but they were all born in, and still living in, the Dominican Republic.

Joaquin Jr. […]

From US citizens to Personas Non Grata to US citizens againSMA Law Firm2024-11-05T13:30:19-05:00

Why “Rock Stars” Deserve Green Cards Too!

SMA Law Firm2024-11-05T13:34:49-05:00

The recent Super Bowl ad, which had the godfather of heavy metal, Ozzy Osbourne, and Paul Stanley, the face of glam rock, objecting to the use of the term “Rock Star” for non-music-related overachievers was proof positive of the modern-day ubiquity of the term to connote being at the top of your field.

In 2017, […]

Why “Rock Stars” Deserve Green Cards Too!SMA Law Firm2024-11-05T13:34:49-05:00

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