You mailed your green card or waiver application to USCIS, you have your receipt and had your biometrics appointment. Great! Now all you have to do is wait for the Interview date, right? Not exactly… What I will discuss here applies to most types of applications: changes or extension of non-immigrant status, renewals of work permit, petitions for alien relatives, green card applications, waivers, VAWA, removal of Read More
LGBTQ Couples and Family-Based immigration: What to consider when documenting a Bona Fide Marriage
People have entered the United States through marriage for a very long time; it is perhaps one of the easier ways, at least in people’s minds, to gain entry and citizenship. However, many try to marry solely for the purpose of circumventing immigration laws, and that is fraud. As a result, US Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) have to endure a tough scrutiny from immigration officers to ensure that their Read More
The #1 Mistake that Can KILL Your Immigration Application
In September 2018, USCIS changed one of its policies and now can deny your application for making mistakes on your paperwork. Before then, if there was an issue with your application, they could reject the file and return it to you. You would then fix whatever they asked for and resubmit it. If USCIS accepted your application instead, but upon review, it determined it was missing something (a simple “x”, wrong Read More
Public Charge Rule – Medical Conditions & Health Insurance
The US Supreme Court overturned the injunction which prevented the Public Charge Final Rule from taking effect on October 15, 2019. As such, all adjustment of status (green card) applications postmarked on or after February 24, 2020 will be subject to this new set of policies. ONE of the major areas of focus is an applicant’s health status and insurance coverage. MEDICAID RECIPIENTS Provided that the applicant is Read More
How To Get Your Naturalization Application Approved
If you have been a permanent resident for five years, you can apply for naturalization to become a US citizen. You are eligible after three years if you received your permanent residency under VAWA, or through marriage and you are still married and living with your US citizen spouse. Having a positive naturalization interview, and as a result, a positive outcome, starts at the beginning of the application process, Read More
What is VAWA & How Can It Help You?
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a way for battered and abused spouses (and in certain cases, parents and children) to get permanent residency (green card) without the help of the abusive spouse. Despite its name, VAWA benefits both men and women. You may qualify if: You are married to a US citizen or lawful permanent resident and your spouse abused you or your child; Your US citizen or lawful Read More
What To Do If ICE Shows Up
How to Handle Interactions with ICE If you are not a US citizen, you are not protected from the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). However, regardless of your status, you do have Constitutional rights. Here are some basic ways to express them if the situation arises: What to do if ICE comes to your door Stay calm. Keep the door closed. Start recording everything with your phone! (it will Read More
What Happens To My Current Green Card Application or Removal Case If I Worked Without Authorization & Did Not Pay Taxes?
Recent decision trends show that immigration officers are increasingly concerned with tax reporting and tax payments made on earned income, regardless of whether the employment was authorized or not. As such, immigration applications are being reviewed more closely, resulting in ever-increasing requests for additional financial information before making a final decision in an application. We strive to stay on top of Read More
The 2019 Public Charge Rule & the Health Insurance Requirements for Immigrants
Three federal courts have stopped the current administration from implementing the “Public Charge Rule” that was due to take effect October 15, 2019. The rule would have required those applying for immigrant status to prove that they will not be “likely to become a public charge” meaning that they will not request income-based public assistance once they get a green card. This change increases significantly the Read More
3 Benefits of Having Your Attorney Accompany You to the Immigration Interview
Many attend immigration interviews without their attorney and get approved; most of these are very well documented without any negative factors, such as visa overstays, entering without inspection (EWI), criminal issues, other immigration violations or removal orders, etc. Just as many have something go wrong, leading to serious consequences such as denial, findings of fraud, being placed in removal proceedings, Read More
