Author Archives: Svetlana Prizant
Can a TN individual from Canada establish a business in the United States and then have the business sponsor that individual for TN status?
TN visa regulations do not authorize a Canadian citizen to establish a business in the United States and then have the business sponsor that individual for TN status. Even if the sponsoring company is a separate legal entity, a Canadian citizen may not obtain TN status if he or she substantially controls the sponsoring… Read More »
Can I Sponsor Myself for the H1B Visa?
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that permits a company to hire workers in specialty occupations. This visa category requires that the beneficiary (the foreign worker) have a Bachelor’s degree, and the Petitioner (the U.S. company) can employ the worker for up to six years. This is a very popular visa because unlike… Read More »
How to prepare for an ICE raid
What is happening? ICE has started to deport immigrants who are in the country without papers. This includes immigrants with criminal history, immigrants with old orders of removal, and immigrants who have applied for and been denied immigration status. ICE has begun raids at people’s homes, at work, and also at public places like… Read More »
Who is Considered to be a “Child” in the Immigration Process?
The age and marital status of your children are important factors in the immigration process. For immigration purposes, a “child” is defined as being unmarried and under 21, whereas a “son” or “daughter” is defined as being married and/or 21 or over. For immigration purposes, a child can be any of the following: A… Read More »
Drug Offenses – Waivers? Or Pardons?
An immigrant who has been convicted of selling or possession of a controlled substance, such as cocaine, heroin, or more than 30 grams of marijuana who has admitted having committed this crime, is deportable and/or excludable from the U.S. This deportation or exclusion precludes any exception even if the drug offender has a U.S…. Read More »
What will happen during an interview if I filed based on a request for a divorce waiver?
Make sure that you have carefully prepared your petition with as many supporting documents as possible that show your marriage was made in good faith. The following categories are examples of the types of evidence that USCIS is looking for to prove that the two of you have shared a life together, from the… Read More »
Preparing Documents to Accompany Form I-129F Fiancé Visa Petition
You need to do more than just fill in the blanks on Form I-129F for your fiancé visa petition. The government wants written proof that the two of you have met in person within the last two years, and that you really intend to marry. You should attach a personal statement, drafted by the… Read More »
TN Visa Professionals and Applications for Lawful Permanent Residence (Green Cards)
A Canadian or Mexican citizen may work in the U.S. under NAFTA TN visa status and file for lawful permanent residence. With careful planning a Canadian or Mexican citizen may both file for a green card and continue to work in the U.S. under TN visa status until the green card is issued. Bona… Read More »
Long-Awaited Guidance on L-1B Visa Petitions
This week, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) took another crucial step toward administrative reform of our immigration laws. The agency issued policy guidance for comment. on its adjudication of L-1B “specialized knowledge” visa petitions. The L-1 category allows a U.S. multinational company to transfer talented employees, who have worked for a related entity… Read More »
GOP’s Strategy Will Harm National Security
Although a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security may not be such a big deal, because critical programs and personnel would have to keep working even if they are not getting paid, it would be an international PR disaster for the United States legislature to refuse to fund its largest security department… Read More »