Recent Blog Posts
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 »
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 »