Winning the lottery, being struck by lightning, seeing an albino giraffe – the chances of all of these things happening seem higher to me than getting an S visa. S visas were created for criminal informants – people involved in criminal activity, but who could turn into witnesses for the prosecution. I sometimes call it […]
The Elusive and Misunderstood S Visa Read More »
The holidays are often a time of magic, love, family, and travel. It’s no wonder that many couples get engaged this time of the year. I met with a couple last week that reminded me of this, and how immigration, romance and the realities of life don’t always work together seamlessly. They didn’t know what
Marriage, Travel & Last-Minute Decisions Read More »
VAWA stands for Violence Against Women Act. But don’t let the name fool you. VAWA can be an option for men. I had a consultation recently for a man from West Africa. He and his wife had filed for him to get his green card several times and had always been denied. It looked like they
Why a Man Would Apply for VAWA Read More »
Despite the changes that President Obama announced last week, for many immigrants and their families, the immigration process continues unchanged and as planned. This includes going to interviews for citizenship and permanent residency at USCIS offices. The Atlanta USCIS Office is like a second office to me. Seriously – some of the officers have joked
How to Prepare for Interviews at the Atlanta USCIS Office Read More »
Every immigration situation presents its own special timelines. Is it ever too late to hire an attorney? Is it ever too soon? When should you hire a licensed attorney to assist with your immigration matter? To use my favorite lawyer’s answer: It depends. SCENARIO: MY GIRLFRIEND LIVES IN ITALY AND WE WANT TO GET MARRIED.
When Should You Hire an Immigration Attorney? Read More »
One of the most common questions I receive is “How long will it take USCIS to decide my case?” This is a great question, but it’s not always an easy one to answer. USCIS is a massive organization. They have local offices, service centers, and a national benefits center. They are scattered across the country
USCIS Processing Times Read More »
By now, most everyone knows about Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). It received a lot of press in 2012 when President Obama announced that he would allow certain young people to remain in the United States without the threat of deportation hanging over their head. Lately, DACA has received a bit more press again
Deferred Action Not for Childhood Arrivals Only Read More »
Earlier this week, Jon Stewart made fun of the crazy bureaucracy of our immigration laws. Sure, Jon didn’t get all the details right (Form N-400 is for naturalization, not asylum), but he did a fine job showing how convoluted our immigration laws are. When I first started learning the ins and outs of immigration law,
Immigration Law: If It Makes Sense, You Don’t Understand It Read More »
xtreme hardship is an idea that comes up in immigration law time and time again and is one of the underlying requirements for a successful Waiver case. But did you know that there is no clear definition of what it is? Extreme hardship is fluid, subject to interpretation, and it is different for everyone. These are the major
What Is Extreme Hardship? Read More »
The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitutions tells us who is a U.S. citizen: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.” This looks and sounds straightforward, but like nearly all things immigration-related, there is
The Puzzle of Acquiring U.S. Citizenship Read More »
