WHEN applying for almost all USCIS benefits, the USCIS usually requires a person to have a valid, unexpired passport. This is especially true in connection with adjustment of status or…

ON August 13, 2018, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, which is just below the U.S. Supreme Court, saved a person from deportation by concluding his “father” was a U.S….

ON August 16, 2018, Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions issued an opinion, to be binding on all immigration courts, on when an immigration judge may grant a continuance of deportation/removal proceedings,…

EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment-based categories. A priority…

I HAVE previously written about provisional waivers, where certain people are not eligible to adjust status (be interviewed for a green card in the U.S.) and must depart the U.S….

IN previous articles, I wrote about a recent USCIS policy memorandum (PM), where USCIS would start issuing notices to appear (NTA) if USCIS denied certain immigration benefits (such as extension…

In a previous article, I wrote about USCIS issuing a Policy Memorandum (PM) about the various categories of cases where a person could face deportation/removal if USCIS denied their petition,…

EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A…

IN a previous article, I wrote about how the USCIS assembled a task force to start reviewing cases of people who may have obtained their green cards or U.S. citizenship…

Each month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A…

In a recent ruling, Attorney General Jeff Sessions ruled that women who were victims of domestic violence, and people fleeing gang violence in their home country, are not eligible for…

THE USCIS announced it will start a task force of several dozen lawyers and immigration officers to start reviewing cases of immigrants who obtained U.S. citizenship through fraud, such as…

If a person is ever caught in a fixed marriage (married solely to obtain immigration benefits), the consequences (or punishment) could be severe. A fixed marriage finding by the USCIS…

IF a person is ever caught in a fixed marriage (married solely to obtain immigration benefits), the consequences (or punishment) could be severe. A fixed marriage finding by the USCIS…

IN the Philippines, establishing family relationships can sometimes be extremely complex.  A child may be born and then “given” to a relative, such as a childless aunt.  A simulated birth…

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently issued a press release that they had a student removed/deported, when they found out that he was not attending class, as is required…

Each month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A…

ALMOST every Filipino has seen the movie Titanic, the story of Jack and Rose who sailed that doomed ship, which hit an iceberg and sank. During consultations, I sometimes compare…

U.S. immigration law allows citizen parents to “transmit” or pass on U.S. citizenship to their children born abroad, provided certain requirements are met. One requirement for U.S. citizen fathers to…

Dear Attorney Gurfinkel: I came to the U.S. many years ago, and am out of status.  I have now been away from my spouse and children for many years, and…

DEAR Attorney Gurfinkel: I came to the U.S. many years ago, and am out of status.  I have now been away from my spouse and children for many years, and…

EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A…

ON April 3, 2018, the USCIS announced that it will start destroying green cards and work authorizations that are returned to it as “undeliverable.” If the document is returned, the…

SINCE becoming president, Donald Trump has made several significant changes to make it easier for the government to deport more people.  In fact, when he originally announced he was running…

Dear Attorney Gurfinkel: My aunt owns a care home, and wants to petition me as a caregiver.  However, I was told that employers cannot petition relatives for green cards through…

AS part of its “enforcement priorities,” Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the recent arrest of over two dozen people with DUI convictions in connection with “Operation Secure Streets.” According…

EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A…

As part of its “enforcement priorities,” Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the recent arrest of over two dozen people with DUI convictions in connection with “Operation Secure Streets.” According…

A Filipino and his U.S. citizen wife came to my office recently for a consultation. They drove several hours to see me in person. He came to my office crying,…