It’s been a busy summer at USCIS. They’ve issued several policy memos that have the potential to absolutely upend our legal immigration system. I’ve written a bit about the NTA and RFE memos, but we know more about them now than we did a few months ago. Then there’s the public charge memo that came out a few weeks ago […]
Recent Changes at USCIS: NTAS, RFES, and Public Charge Read More »
I love my job, I truly do. I get to help families stay together, I get to help people come out of the shadows and gain their independence, I get to help people achieve their American Dream. While these highs are amazing, the lows just as extreme. I have clients recently diagnosed with cancer, DACA clients scared
It’s been a roller coaster for all immigrants lately, but no one has had to endure more ups and downs than DACA recipients. When AG Sessions announced the end of the program last September, people filed renewals as quickly as possible to meet an early October deadline. We then waited for Congress to take up the cause, but
DACA: The Roller Coaster Ride and Waiting Continues Read More »
June was a crazy month in the world of immigration. From the Attorney General saying that domestic violence and gang violence generally aren’t grounds for asylum to the travel ban being allowed to continue to children being taken from their parents at the border things look worse and worse and people are understandably getting panicked, wondering what change could come next
Is All Hope Lost? No! Read More »
It seems like hardly a day goes by without hearing about some new atrocity confronting immigrants and the immigration law system. In just the past week, these topics have dominated the headlines: Forced family separation at the border – we’re at 658 detained children as of today. Finding that being forced to cook and clean for a terrorist
How to Advocate in Trying Times Read More »
Last week, the Attorney General released a decision saying that Immigration Judges and the Board of Immigration Appeals do not have the authority to administratively close a case. What is administrative closure and why is the end of it a big deal? Administrative closure was like putting a case in a coma. The respondent was still technically
Administrative Closure – Why the Attorney General’s Decision is Horrible Read More »
Six months ago, we were telling clients that their work cards should be adjudicated within 3-4 months. Today, I’m telling clients it could be closer to 5-6 months. Last year, people could file for Naturalization and expect an interview within 5-6 months. Today, it’s closer to 12 months. I-90s to replace green cards take nearly 9 months. I-751s
It’s Not You (Or Your Attorney), It’s Them: USCIS Processing Times Slow Significantly Read More »
As a lawyer, I know how much words matter. In an asylum case saying once that you were hit with a fist and then later saying you were slapped can be the difference in approval or denial. How you choose to label or call something sheds light on how you view it. For example, calling someone a
Words Matter: From “Shithole” to “Chain Migration” Read More »
Regardless of your faith, or lack thereof, there is no disputing the global and enduring impact of Jesus’s birth. Christmas Day is a perfect time to think about Jesus as a refugee. According to the Bible (Matthew 2:1-15), King Harrod was intimidated by news of the birth of the “King of the Jews.” Since no
This is a tough post to write, because I generally like the Atlanta USCIS Field Office. The officers and staff are usually professional, kind, and helpful. But for the past several months, changes have been made that chill the relationship between them and their customers (clients/attorneys). Yes, there are always things that I’ll complain about – like
Limiting Access – The Cold Chill from USCIS Read More »
