WHEN a person is petitioned for a green card, they are called the “principal beneficiary.” In some cases, the petition includes their spouse and minor children, who are called “derivative…

What are motions to reconsider and reopen? WHEN a person has been placed in deportation/removal proceedings, they would ordinarily receive a decision from the immigration judge (IJ), or, if they…

IN a previous article, I reported that on February 24, 2021, Pres. Biden revoked Trump’s immigration ban, which was set to expire at the end of March 2021. Because of…

IN a previous article, I discussed how Pres. Biden and the Democrats introduced the “U.S. CITIZENSHIP ACT” of 2021. It was a massive bill, covering a variety of immigration issues…

The April 2021 priority dates, continue to provide great news for workers in the EB-3 (skilled/professional) and “other worker” (unskilled workers like caregivers). The priority dates for all countries (except…

THE Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) is complex, confusing, and can be extremely frustrating. During my 40 years of practicing law, I always encounter cases where a child may have…

ON March 9, 2021, DHS Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas announced that the U.S. government will no longer defend the Trump administration’s 2019 public charge rule, as doing so “is neither in…

The March 2021 priority dates, continue to provide great news for workers in the EB-3 (skilled/professional) and “other worker” (unskilled workers like caregivers). The priority dates for all countries (except…

ON February 24, 2021, Pres. Biden revoked Trump’s immigration ban for immigrant visa applicants, which was scheduled to expire March 31, 2021. What this means is that, subject to COVID-19…

ON February 18, 2021, Pres. Biden and the Democrats formally introduced the “U.S. Citizenship Act” of 2021. It is a massive bill, over 350 pages long, covering a variety of…

AS almost everyone is aware, the U.S. Embassy in Manila has not been issuing most immigrant visas since approximately March 2020 because of Covid-19 restrictions and the presidential proclamation, suspending…

DEAR Attorney Gurfinkel: I entered the U.S. in 2000 on a visitor’s visa and overstayed. My sister filed a petition for me (F-4) in early 2001 under Clinton’s LIFE ACT….

ON February 2, 2021, Pres. Biden issued several additional Executive Orders (EO) on immigration. They include: (a) establishing a task force to reunify families separated at the border; (b) developing…

AS I reported in a previous article, on January 20, 2021, just after taking office, Pres. Biden issued an executive order calling for a 100-day pause on most deportations or…

The February 2021 priority dates, continue to provide great news for workers in the EB-3 (skilled/professional) and “other worker” (unskilled workers like caregivers).  The priority dates for all countries (except India and China) are CURRENT!  This includes…

ON December 31, 2020, Pres. Trump extended his “immigration ban” through March 31, 2021, just hours before it was set to expire. By way of background, and as I detailed…

ON December 31, 2020, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down a nationwide injunction by a lower District Court, ruling that Pres. Trump’s proclamation banning the issuance of immigrant…

The January 2021 priority dates, continue to provide great news for workers in the EB-3 (skilled/professional) and “other worker” (unskilled workers like caregivers). The priority dates for all countries (except…

DEAR Attorney Gurfinkel: I was born in the Philippines, and in 2015 my mother petitioned me in the F-2B category (unmarried adult child of immigrant). Recently, I received a “Notice…

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently announced “Operation Broken Promise,” targeting for arrest and removal/deportation those aliens who were in removal proceedings and promised to voluntarily leave the U.S….

DONALD Trump has often stated he wants to end “birthright citizenship” for children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents. He is obviously against “birth tourism,” where pregnant women, about…

THE December 2020 priority dates continue to provide great news for workers in the EB-3 (skilled/professional) and “other worker” (unskilled workers like caregivers). The priority dates for all countries (except…

THANKSGIVING is being celebrated differently this year. Because we are in the midst of a pandemic, the usual gathering of loved ones is close to impossible. Some may have lost…

IN a previous article, I wrote on how Joe Biden has been declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election, and has proposed sweeping changes and reforms to our immigration…

JOE Biden has been declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election. He promises a radical change from Trump’s strict enforcement policies to a policy emphasizing compassion, leniency, and possibly…

No Change From October 2020 Dates THE November 2020 priority dates, continue to provide great news for workers in the EB-3 (skilled/professional) and “other worker” (unskilled workers like caregivers). The…

Many people consulted with me after their case was denied by a USCIS officer or consul at the Embassy. In some cases, the person signed a confession, but now claims…

Dear Attorney GURFINKEL: I immigrated to the U.S. in 2008 through my mother’s F-3 petition (married son/daughter of U.S. citizen), which she filed in 1990. At the time my petition…