So thrilled to get this I-212 waiver approval in the mail today! These cases are not easy to win. Such waivers require showing extreme emotional and financial hardship to the US citizen relative/petitioner. Working very closely with my client, we put together a detailed documents package to show emotional and financial hardships, and requested an […]
New Form I-485 Asks Many New Questions – Be Prepared!
As of June 26, 2017, USCIS has issued a revised Form I-485 (commonly known as the application for adjustment of status or “green card” application. It is now 18-pages long (increase from 6 pages). It formally goes into effect Aug. 25, 2017. It now asks plenty of new questions about the applicant, including: (1) whether […]
Temporary Protected Status holders are eligible for adjustment of status, says the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
On March 31, 2017, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal issued a very important decision on an immigration case, that has the potential to help thousands of people who living within the jurisdiction of the Ninth Circuit (California, Alaska, Hawaii, Arizona). In Ramirez v. Brown (No. 14-35633), the Ninth Circuit held that individuals who hold […]
Immigration Executive Order Issued by President Trump on Border Security and Immigration Enforcement
EXECUTIVE ORDER – – – – – – – BORDER SECURITY AND IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT IMPROVEMENTS By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.) (INA), the Secure Fence Act of 2006 (Public Law […]
Joint Motion to Reopen Granted!
I am thrilled to report that today, I received a letter from DHS agreeing to join in a proposed joint motion to reopen I had filed for a very deserving client, so that she could finally have a chance to pursue permanent residency! She has waited over 20 years for this!
Cancellation of Removal Victory in NYC Immigration Court
Imagine this….you came to the United States as a lawful permanent resident (LPR) when you were only three years old. You are now almost 40 years. All of your relatives are in the United States. Somewhere in your late teens and early 20’s, you spent time with some bad kids and got into trouble. You […]
USCIS Filing Fees Are Increasing!
USCIS is increasing filing fees! New (and significantly higher) filing fees will be effective as of December 23, 2016. Here are the new filing fees effective December 23, 2016. If you are eligible for an immigration benefit but haven’t yet filed your case, you may want to think about doing it before the new fees […]
USCIS Filing Fees are Increasing on December 23, 2016
USCIS filing fees are increasing! New fees go into effect 60 days after the publication of this final rule on 10.24.2016 (which is December 23, 2016), If you are eligible to file a case, you should consider filing before the fees increase! Some notable increases in fees: I-130 petition – $535 (currently $420) I-485 application […]
Expansion of Provisional Waiver (I-601A)
Effective AUGUST 29, 2016, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) will expand the reach of the provisional waiver initially implemented in 2013. On January 3, 2013, DHS promulgated a final rule, Provisional Unlawful Presence Waivers of Inadmissibility for Certain Immediate Relatives, in the Federal Register. See 78 FR 536 (Jan. 3, 2013) (“2013 Rule”). To […]
Supreme Court Issues a Disappointing Decision on President Obama’s DAPA and Expanded DACA Programs
On Thursday, June 23, 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in U.S. v. Texas. By a vote of 4-4, the Court was deadlocked, meaning the Fifth’s Circuit’s decision issuing a nationwide injunction on President Obama’s DAPA and expanded DACA programs remain in effect. This means 4 million people who expected to benefit […]