The US Government to Require COVID Vaccine for Permanent Residence
When someone is applying to become a permanent resident, the person must establish that they are “admissible” as defined in the Immigration and Nationality Act Section 212 (INA Section 212). For INA Section 212 purposes, admissible means legally eligible to be “admitted” to the US, such as on a visa. It also means eligible to…
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Humanitarian Parole Now Available to Afghani Nationals
We have watched the recent horrific and heart-wrenching news and images of desperate refugees fleeing from the Taliban in Afghanistan. This painful and distressing scene is amplified because family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, some currently in the morass of the U.S. immigration process, remain in Afghanistan today. Regrettably, the U.S. immigration…
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Current USCIS Application Fees
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services periodically adjusts its application fees. Often, fee changes take place at the beginning of the next fiscal year, which begins in October. However, that’s not always the case. Because these fees are subject to change, it’s best to check with the USCIS website to determine the current filing…
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DACA in Jeopardy Again
After 9 years of having the DACA program in place, a federal judge has chosen now as the right time to determine that when it was put in place 2 presidents ago, the rules were not properly followed in starting the program. Frankly, it’s inexplicable. If this were an issue, it should have come up…
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Significant Policy Shift for F-1 Change of Status Applications with USCIS
Recently, USCIS announced a major change in policy related to applications to change status from any other immigration status to F-1 student status. Change of status is a technical process managed by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services agency of the Department of Homeland Security in which a person who came into the US on…
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Deportation News: Administrative Closure Restored
The US Attorney General has issued a decision restoring Administrative Closure as a tool for Immigration Judges to use in removal proceedings to effectively manage their dockets. With this decision, along with the recent memorandum restoring prosecutorial discretion to the ICE Office of the Chief Counsel, the deportation authorities again have the power to control…
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Preparing for Your Asylum Interview
Each year across the globe, thousands of people must flee their homes due to persecution and fear. The United States allows those who fear return to their native countries to apply for asylum. If granted asylum, a beneficiary can stay in the U.S. permanently, building a life free from the threat of violence or retaliation.…
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Guide to Adjustment of Status for U.S. Immigration
Adjustment of status is the process a non-U.S. citizen can use when they have a valid U.S. visa and want to apply for lawful permanent resident status without leaving the country. Approval of an application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is required to attain an Adjustment of Status to legally remain in…
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What is Consular Processing?
If you are not currently in the United States and, therefore, not qualified to apply for an adjustment of status, an immigrant visa application presented to the U.S. consulate in your location is the best course of action. An approved visa petition with a current priority date is needed to start the process. What is…
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The Pros and Cons of a Green Card
Obtaining a green card, which signifies your lawful permanent residence in the United States, comes with a number of benefits. It’s not the right choice for everyone, though. With a green card, you can live or work anywhere in the United States. You’re allowed to change jobs as often as you’d like (or not have…
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