Yearly Archives: 2014
Executive Order on Immigration: Rumor v. Truth
It’s been four weeks since President Obama spoke to the Nation on Immigration Action and our office is getting a lot of inquiries on the subject. It seems that people are very confused about exactly what to expect, as there are a lot of rumors and speculations. The following are four clarifications that will… Read More »
How to Keep Your Green Card
U.S. Immigration law requires that a green card holder never abandon the intention of continuing to reside permanently in the United States. Simply returning to the U.S. once a year for several weeks is NOT enough. If you will be leaving the U.S. for more than one year, but less than two years, it… Read More »
Obama’s New Immigration Policy
On November 20, 2014, President Obama announced his long-awaited changes to our broken immigration system. None of the changes will take place immediately, nevertheless, for 4-5 million persons, most of them undocumented, there is considerable good news. 1. Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) –Certain parents of US citizens and green card holders will… Read More »
DV-2016: The Last Green Card Lottery?
The Senate, in 2013, passed an immigration reform bill which would eliminate the DV lottery. It looks like the House will refuse to pass the Senate bill, but not because they like the lottery. They don’t! So, if both houses of Congress can get their act together in 2015 and pass immigration reform legislation,… Read More »
What Is the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (S.E.V.P.)?
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), a program within the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is a part of the National Security Investigations Division and acts as a bridge for government organizations that have an interest in information on nonimmigrants whose primary reason for coming to the United States is to be… Read More »
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Renewals and Green Cards
On June 5, DHS announced the process for persons who have received work permits (EADs) under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programs to renew their DACA status and work permits for another 2 years. Also, there is now a process by which persons in DACA status can obtain green cards. Since the… Read More »
Employment Authorization for H-4 Spouses
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed regulation which would, for the first time, permit certain H-4 spouses of H-1B professionals to apply for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). Under the proposed regulation, the following classes of H-4 spouses would qualify for EADs: 1. Where the H-1B spouse is the beneficiary of an… Read More »
Do’s and Don’ts for the Green Card Petition Process
The process of obtaining a green card can be long and challenging. Married couples seeking to obtain a green card for one of the spouses should keep in mind the following do’s and don’ts for the green card petition process. Submit timely petition documents with the necessary supporting information. Be prepared for your interview… Read More »
How do I get an Emergency Travel Document?
Due to recent changes to U.S. immigration law, travel outside of the U.S. may have severe consequences for foreign nationals (including legal permanent residents) who are in the process of adjusting their status, extending their nonimmigrant stay, or changing their nonimmigrant status. It is important that before leaving the U.S. on an emergency, foreign… Read More »
Citizenship Myths and Realities
Myth: You always have to know how to read and write English to become a U.S. citizen (USC). Reality: Not true. If you are over 55 years of age, and have been a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) for at least 15 years, you may be exempt from certain requirements. Myth: You always have to… Read More »