Category Archives: General
Estate Planning and Undocumented Immigrants
As the quest to deport illegal aliens looms, immigrants with questionable status wait and worry about their dependents’ financial well being. The country’s 11 million undocumented immigrants have always been in a precarious legal position. But with federal and state authorities cracking down, the threat of sudden detainment or deportation is more real than… Read More »
Presidential Executive Orders on Immigration
Our office has gotten a lot of inquiries on what the recent Executive Orders mean, below is a short summary: Border Wall/Build Up DHS has already dramatically increased the use of detention and rapid removal procedures against those arriving at our borders. Unfortunately, these enforcement methods have been shown to undermine fundamental due process… Read More »
Continuous Residence and Physical Presence Requirements for Citizenship
The continuous residence and physical presence requirements can be a point of confusion for many green card holders when applying for U.S. citizenship through naturalization. Continuous Residence Explained Generally, you must have 5 years of continuous residence in the U.S. to become eligible for naturalized citizenship. However, if you are married to a U.S…. Read More »
What Happens If The I-751 Is Denied?
What Happens If The I-751 is Denied? Once the I-751 is denied, your status is a lawful permanent resident is terminated. Consequently, you are no longer authorized to work or travel. According to 8 Code of Federal Regulations (8 C.F.R.) section 216.4(d)(2), there is no administrative appeal to the USCIS Director for a denied… Read More »
Aggravated Felonies: An Overview
One of the most common questions we often receive during in person and telephonic consultations in our immigration practice is whether an aggravated felony may decrease a person’s chances to legalize their status in the United States. The harsh reality is that the immigration options for non-citizen aliens convicted of an “aggravated felony” are… Read More »
Reminder: USCIS Fee Increase Effective December 23, 2016
Any employer anticipating submission of an immigration application or petition should consider filing prior to December 23, 2016, to avoid higher USCIS filing fees. On October 24, 2016, USCIS announced a final rule that adjusts the required fees for most immigration applications and petitions. This will be the first increase in six years and,… Read More »
Post-Election Impact on Immigration
Our immigration attorney in Forest Hills, New York has been asked to speak on the Post-Election Impact on Immigration Dear Immigrant community: Don’t panic! At this time, there aren’t a lot of answers as to what exactly will happen when the new administration takes office. Don’t make hasty decisions; instead take the time necessary… Read More »
Do I need a Re-entry Permit?
A lawful permanent resident (LPR) normally may travel outside the United States and return; however, there are some limitations. A reentry permit can help prevent two types of problems: Your Permanent Resident Card becomes technically invalid for reentry into the United States if you are absent from the United States for 1 year or… Read More »
Options after a Consular Officer Denies Your U.S. Visa Application
Options after a Consular Officer Denies Your U.S. Visa Application As an immigration attorneys in New York, I often get questions regarding visa denials. If your visa is denied, you may be confused and frustrated. And consular officers may be unwilling or unable to properly explain the grounds for refusal and your options for… Read More »
Obtaining a Green Card for a Person Born in the United States to a Foreign Diplomat
Recently my immigration law office in Queens, New York has been getting inquiries on how to obtain a Green Card for a Person Born in the United States to a Foreign Diplomat. In this blog I will discuss: Eligibility Criteria Application Process Supporting Evidence for the Form I-485 Medical Examination Work and Travel Authorization… Read More »