Author Archives: Svetlana Prizant
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 »
What to expect at the Stokes Interview
What Is The Stokes Interview? When a husband and wife did not convince an immigration officer that their marriage was real at their first green card interview (adjustment of status interview) they usually get a second chance. This second chance is known as the Stokes interview (also Known as the marriage fraud interview). The… Read More »
Same-Sex Couples Immigration Benefits Based on Marriage
Before June 26, 2013, the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) defined marriage as being between a man and a woman, preventing same-sex spouses from seeking immigration benefits based on marriage. However, on June 26, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down DOMA as unconstitutional, based on the equal protection clause of the 5th… Read More »
What is a U-Visa?
Congress created the U nonimmigrant visa category through the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000. The purpose of the act was to strengthen the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other crimes, while also protecting the victims of such… Read More »