When people think of attorneys and what we do to fight for our clients, they typically think of courtrooms, judges, “I object!” and other Hollywood movie images. Even for those immigration attorneys who often appear in Immigration Court, the reality is far different than what you may see on your favorite TV show or in […]
Liaison Work: Another Tool for Attorneys Read More »
Lately, I’ve received a lot of questions about the I-751. Actually, it’s been the same question over and over again. Why does it take so long to get a decision? Good question. When someone needs to remove the conditions on their residency, they must file an I-751. Once it’s filed, the applicant receives an automatic one-year
The Long and Tortured Road of I-751s Read More »
I’ve talked about Parole in Place (PIP) before and what an amazing program it is. In short, it allows certain family members of current and former military service members to be granted “admission” to the United States so they can apply for a green card here instead of having to leave the country and apply for a waiver in
Trying to Expand Parole in Place: Step-Parents Read More »
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 »
