Dear Michael, You clearly received incorrect advice from your friend at USCIS. What you have written is entirely incorrect. O and P visas are commonly used by tango teachers. I have handled many such applications over the years (many years helping more than 100 dancers or musicians per year).
You can also read a statement by many performing arts unions and labor organizations about the new changes to the law at: http://drop.io/czbujc6 Or good legal blog postings at: http://www.entrylaw.com/images/Smoke_and_Mirrors.pdf http://www.nationofimmigrators.com/?p=278 Rather than repeat the law here, I recommend that any one who is considering working with foreign national tango teachers in the U.S. seek the advice of a qualified immigration lawyer - whether it is Ray Barbosa, myself of someone else. Please don't accept legal advice from a nonlawyer or one who thinks he plays one on T.V. The changes USCIS has put into effect have the ability to significantly alter the business of tango in the U.S., especially as it relates to traveling teachers. I strongly urge those in the U.S. who are interested or effected, to contact their Congressional Members and urge a change in these unjustified new policies. Sincerely, Lisa Battan www.battanlaw.com -- The online entry registration period for the DV-2011 Diversity Visa lottery is October 2, 2009, and Monday, November 30, 2009. Entrants apply on Form DS-5501, Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form, available only during the DV open registration period. Contact us if you want more information. Lisa E. Battan Lisa E. Battan, P.C. 1909 26th Street, Suite 1F, Boulder, CO 80302 303-444-8668 fax: 303-444-4847 toll free: 1-866-614-8668 www.battanlaw.com This message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify us immediately by telephone or return e-mail and return the original message to us at the address above. _______________________________________________ Tango-L mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/tango-l
