The last week has been an interesting one for immigration attorneys practicing before the Atlanta USCIS Field Office. Last Friday, attorneys began posting on our listserv that ICE agents were at the field office and that people attending interviews were being arrested. At first, the reports caused real concern. Some messages suggested that individuals whose […]
Fear, Rumors, and Reality at the Atlanta USCIS Field Office Read More »
USCIS recently issued a new policy memorandum emphasizing that Adjustment of Status (AOS) is a discretionary benefit — not an automatic entitlement. The memo repeatedly describes AOS as an “extraordinary” process because it allows someone to obtain permanent residence from inside the United States instead of through the normal immigrant visa process abroad through a
Reviewing the New USCIS Memo on Adjustment of Status vs. Consular Processing Read More »
VAWA protections are critically important. For many immigrants experiencing abuse by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family member, VAWA can provide a path to safety, stability, and lawful status without depending on the abusive relative. But in 2026, we are seeing a growing and dangerous problem: people being encouraged to file weak or
VAWA Fraud Concerns: What to Know Before Filing a Case Read More »
I’ve been thinking a lot about military families today. I saw a social media post saying that ICE plans to be present at a Marine Corps graduation ceremony in South Carolina—checking the immigration status of friends and family who have come to celebrate their loved one’s achievement. Graduation is often the first time families have
Military Service, Immigration, and the Families in Between Read More »
There are days in this work when the weight of what we witness feels almost unbearable. Not because the law is complicated—we are used to that—but because the outcomes reveal something far more troubling: a system that too often operates without urgency, without compassion, and without regard for the human lives caught inside it. Recently,
Forgetting Our Humanity: Be The Change You Want to See Read More »
At Hope Immigration, our hearts are heavy as we witness yet more tragedy tied to immigration enforcement. The deaths of Keith Porter Jr., Renée Good, and Alex Pretti, as well as all of those at detention centers, at the hands of federal immigration agents have rightly shaken communities across the country and sparked widespread calls for
Lately, many immigrants and families have been hearing unsettling phrases like “pause,” “internal ban,” or “case hold.” If you’re feeling confused or worried about what this means for your immigration case, you are not alone, and your concern is completely understandable. Over the past several weeks, the U.S. government has implemented internal policy changes that
What the USCIS “Pause” on Some Cases Means — and Why You Can Still File Read More »
People sometimes ask us why we chose the name Hope Immigration. Especially now, in days like these, when the news feels relentless, and the immigration system is heavier, harsher, and more unforgiving than ever. The answer is simple, but not shallow: hope matters most when it’s dark. Hope is not naïve optimism. It is not
The Meaning of Hope: A Moment of Reflection Read More »
People often talk about how quickly immigration law and policy change. Today, we have a perfect example of that. To get started, I need to explain a little bit of the law so that you can understand how huge this change is. To qualify for a green card, one of the things you often need
U-Based Adjustment of Status: An Update Read More »
Last week, I attended two green card interviews. Both times, USCIS was running behind, and I had about an hour to chat with our clients while we waited. Interestingly, both clients asked me the same question: “How have things changed this year?” There’s a lot we could have talked about—but before an interview, I always
The State of Immigration: Don’t Let Fear Hold You Back Read More »
