Travel Ban Expanded to include Six more Countries
On January 31, 2020, President Trump signed a presidential proclamation that suspended certain immigrant visas to foreign nationals from Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sudan, [...]
Travel Restrictions and Quarantines on Individuals Traveling from China
The White House issued a presidential proclamation imposing travel restrictions and quarantines on travelers from China starting on February 2, 2020 due to the [...]
Can I change My Adjustment of Status Application from an Employment-Based Petition (I-140) into a Family-Based Petition (I-130)? What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
Interfiling is an administrative procedure described in the USCIS Policy Manual. It is possible for an applicant whose application is based on a particular [...]
New DHS Public Charge Rule to Take Effect on February 24
On January 27, 2020, the Supreme Court lifted a nationwide injunction blocking the new public charge rule initially slotted to take effect on October [...]
USCIS Issues New EB-5 Adjudication Procedure Process
USCIS announced on January 29 an operational change in the EB-5 application adjudication process. Previously, USCIS adjudicated EB-5 applications in a first come first [...]
What are the Immigration Ramifications of Working in the Cannabis/Marijuana Industry?
Our clients often have the following questions: Can I Work for a Cannabis/Marijuana Company in the United States? Can I be Denied Citizenship Due [...]
What are the Petty Offense Exception, the Minor Exception, and the Juvenile Exception to the Crime Involving Moral Turpitude ground of inadmissibility?
If you are applying for a visa or a green card and you were convicted of (or you admitted to commission of) a crime [...]
USCIS Now Accepting Green Card Applications under the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act
Starting on December 26, 2019, USCIS is now accepting adjustment of status applications from certain Liberian nationals under Section 7611 of the National Defense [...]
What is a Reentry permit? When should I apply for a reentry permit? What is a Special Immigrant Returning Visa? When should I apply for a Special Immigrant Returning Visa?
As a green card holder, you have to keep in mind that you may lose your green card if you remain outside the U.S. [...]
January 2020 Visa Bulletin: EB-3 Visa Expected to Retrogress Worldwide by March 2020
The State Department’s January 2020 Visa Bulletin included projections of immigrant visa availability though April and May 2020, and EB-3 visas are expected to [...]
What is derivation of citizenship? How can I derive citizenship through my parent(s)?
There are several ways to obtain U.S. citizenship. For example, you automatically obtain U.S. citizenship if you are born in the U.S. If case [...]
USCIS Issues Guidance on “Terms of Imprisonment or a Sentence” for Good Moral Character Determinations
One of the requirements for naturalization be become an U.S. citizen or other immigration benefits is good moral character (GMC). An applicant for naturalization must show [...]
I am a U.S. citizen and I want to sponsor my parents for a Green Card. What documents do I need to submit to USCIS to demonstrate the parental relationship?
If you are a U.S. citizen and you want to sponsor your parents for a Green Card, you will need to submit evidence demonstrating [...]
USCIS Further Expands Guidance on Good Moral Character Requirement
One of the requirements for naturalization be become an U.S. citizen or other immigration benefits is good moral character (GMC). An applicant for naturalization must show [...]
USCIS Issues New Guidance on “Good Moral Character” Determination for Driving Under the Influence Convictions
One of the requirements for naturalization be become an U.S. citizen or other immigration benefits is good moral character (GMC). An applicant for naturalization [...]
I am a U.S. citizen. Which family members can I sponsor for a green card? What are Family Preference Categories? When will the green cards become available?
If you are a U.S. citizen, you can sponsor certain family members for a green card. There are two categories of family members you [...]
I married a U.S. citizen and I want to adjust my status. What do I have to do to get a green card? How long does it take to get a marriage based green card?
If you married a U.S. citizen and plan to apply for your green card, one option is to adjust your status in the United [...]
Congress Passes Short Term Funding and New EB-5 Rules Come into Effect Today
On November 18, Congress passed a temporary continuing resolution to fund the government through to December 20. This means that the EB-5 regional center [...]
State Department Public Charge Regulations Postponed
The State Department's new public charge rules that was originally set up take effect on October 15 has now been postponed. These new rules [...]
New Health Insurance Requirements on Immigrant Visa Applicants
Starting on November 3, 2019, immigrant visa applicants at U.S. Consulates abroad must prove either that they will acquire approved health insurance within thirty [...]
What is PIMS? What Happens if My Visa Approval is Not in PIMS?
PIMS (Petition Information Management Service) is an electronic system that provides U.S. consular posts with notification of non-immigrant visa petition approvals. It is the [...]
Will filing an immigrant petition impact my E-2 renewal? Is an E-2 visa a dual intent visa? Can I Renew my E-2 visa if I file an I-140 petition?
An E-2 visa is not a dual intent visa but it is about as close to a dual intent visa as you can get. [...]
State Department Issues Public Charge Regulations that Align with DHS Rules
The State Department published new public charge rules that will take effect on October 15. These new rules largely mirror the Department of Statement’s [...]
New York Judge Issues Nationwide Preliminary Injunction to Block New Public Charge Rule
Today, a New York District judge issued a preliminary injection against the new “public charge” rules, preventing it from coming into effect on October [...]
I am a U.S. citizen, which members of my family can I sponsor for a green card? Who are my immediate relatives? Can my immediate relatives get a green card?
If you are a U.S. citizen, you can sponsor certain family members for a green card. There are two categories of family members you [...]
Can I apply for the Diversity Lottery While on an E-2 visa? Will the Diversity Lottery impact my visa? Can I apply for the diversity lottery?
The diversity lottery gives 50,000 people from different countries the opportunity to get a green card. You can find out more about the Diversity [...]
FY 2021 Diversity Visa Lottery Opens October 2
Starting from noon EST on October 2, 2019, the State Department will begin accepting online registration for Fiscal Year 2020 Diversity Visa lottery here. Foreign [...]
October 2019 Visa Bulletin: EB-2 and EB-3 Visas Now Current for Most Countries.
In the recently published October visa bulletins, EB-2 and EB-3 visas are now current for most countries expect for Mainland China, India, and the [...]
What is VAWA and how could I qualify?
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a law that protects the rights of domestic violence survivors. Within the immigration field, it has allowed [...]
Am I a victim for purposes of the U visa? U visas for bystanders or indirect victims
The U Nonimmigrant status, also known as U visa, is designed to encourage immigrant community members to report crimes to law enforcement. The U [...]
DHS Proposes New Rule to Collect Social Media Information from Immigrant Applicants
The Department of Homeland Security proposed a new rule to collect five years of social media history from applicants of certain immigration benefits, including [...]
What is the U visa and how could I qualify?
The U Nonimmigrant status, also known as U visa, as designed to encourage immigrant community members to report crimes to law enforcement. Immigrant individuals, [...]
I am the victim of a crime and will apply for a U visa. What happens to my family members? Can they benefit as well?
The U Nonimmigrant status, also known as U visa, is designed to encourage immigrant community members to report crimes to law enforcement. The U [...]
I was a victim of a crime at work, can I qualify for a U visa?
The U Nonimmigrant status, also known as U visa, is designed to encourage immigrant community members to report crimes to law enforcement. Immigrants are [...]
USCIS Provides New Definition for Residency for Citizenship Applications. Children of U.S. Government Employees and Military Stationed Overseas No Longer Considered Residents
If you are a U.S. citizen and your child was born outside the U.S., your child may acquire U.S. citizenship at birth. However, simply [...]
