Recent Blog Posts
How to Get a Copy of Your Immigration File (FOIA Requests)
One of the most perplexing aspects of the U.S. immigration system is the murky nature of what information the government has (or does not have) about an applicant or petitioner. In some cases, a foreign national looking to apply for a work visa, green card, or other immigration benefit can run into problems and… Read More »
Who Can Get a Green Card Through Adjustment of Status?
Adjustment of Status (AOS) refers to the process by which a non-immigrant can change his/her status to that of a Legal Permanent Resident (Green card holder) if they meet certain requirements without having to leave the United States. This process is provided for by Section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. AOS can… Read More »
Is it legal to adopt from another country?
The international adoption process is governed by three different sets of laws: the U.S. federal adoption laws; the adoption laws of the country from which you are adopting; and the laws of where you live (U.S. state, territory, or country). What is the difference between Hague adoption and non-Hague adoption? The Hague Adoption Convention… Read More »
Public Charge Rule
On September 22, 2018, the Trump administration announced the upcoming publication of a proposed rule that if implemented as written, would prevent immigrants from securing lawful permanent residence and remaining with their families in the United States, simply because at any time in the past, they received some type of basic health care support,… Read More »
Marriage and Living in Marital Union Requirements for Naturalization Purpose
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify the married and living in marital union requirements under section 319(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Background: In general, all naturalization applicants filing on the basis of marriage to a U.S. citizen must continue to… Read More »
Five Years Passed Since Crime: Can You Apply for Naturalization?
To qualify for naturalization, the law requires that you show that you have resided in the U.S. for a specific period of time, and that for all of that time period you have been and continue to be “a person of good moral character.” If you are a green card holder (a lawful permanent… Read More »
Can I Sponsor My Undocumented Spouse’s Green Card?
Marriage-Based Green Card Family reunification has traditionally been a cornerstone of U.S. immigration policy, with a major emphasis on allowing immediate relatives—defined in immigration law as spouses, minor children, and parents of U.S. citizens—to live together in the United States. In many cases, it’s possible to apply for a marriage green card for an… Read More »
I-601 Waiver
If you’ve been denied a visa or other immigration benefit, you may be able to resolve the problem by applying for an I-601 waiver. An I-601 waiver, or Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility, is a form used by certain immigrant applicants when applying for a visa, an adjustment of status, or an… Read More »
H1B Visa Interview at the US Consulate Office Questions and Tips
H1B Visa Interview at the US Consulate Office A visa interview at a US Consulate Office is often a worrying prospect for many people, and being fully prepared for the interview is essential. Below, we’ve put together some of the most common questions that Consular Officers ask during an H1B interview. You should be… Read More »
Stay of Removal
What Is a Stay of Removal? A “stay of removal” is a term used in immigration law proceedings. It refers to a temporary postponing of removal of an alien from the United States. In many cases, a stay of removal is administrative in nature, such as when the immigration court needs to sort out… Read More »