Category: Immigration Columnists

PRES. Trump is fiercely opposed to family “chain migration” and wants to limit family petitions to spouses and minor children of green card holders or U.S. citizens.  He wants to…

PRESIDENT Donald Trump is fiercely opposed to family “chain migration” and wants to limit family petitions to spouses and minor children of green card holders or U.S. citizens.  He wants…

I JUST moved to California last month, and I’d like to file for divorce. Can I file now? To file for divorce in the State of California, the person filing…

DEAR Attorney Gurfinkel: I was petitioned in November 2006 as a single adult child of my immigrant (green card) parent, in the F-2B category.  I waited many years, and in…

“ Moreover, USCIS will not accept or approve applications for Advance Parole request from DACA recipients” DEFERRED Action (DACA) renewals. Due to a Federal Court order, the U.S. Immigration 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…

SEVERAL years ago, Filipina nurses had a fast track to green cards, as their priority was “current”. They could be immediately petitioned by hospitals or medical facilities for green cards…

ON January 31, 2018, USCIS announced a change in policy for scheduling affirmative asylum interviews.  They will follow a “last in, first out” interview schedule, meaning the newest asylum applications…

DEAR Attorney Gurfinkel: I am a green card holder, and petitioned my adult single child in June 2015 in the F-2B category.  When I recently checked the USCIS website for…

A STEPPARENT may file an immigrant petition for a stepchild even without the stepparent having to legally adopt the stepchild.  However, before a stepparent may be able to file an…

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…

What makes a non-citizen deportable? An alien or non-citizen, including a lawful permanent resident (“green card” holder) is deportable for having a conviction relating to controlled substances. Title 8 U.S.C….

CALIFORNIA has become the first state in the nation to be a “sanctuary state.”  This means California will not cooperate fully with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including Immigration…

NEW Year, new resolutions, new life. For some of you, the New Year is a time for reflection, and to realize that changes are needed to be able to lead…

Pres. Trump wants to eliminate “chain migration,” which allows people to petition extended family members, such as brothers and sisters, married children, adult (over 21) children, and even parents.  The…

PRESIDENT Trump wants to eliminate “chain migration,” which allows people to petition extended family members, such as brothers and sisters, married children, adult (over 21) children, and even parents.  The…

AN important part of Christmas and New Year is buying gifts for loved ones and making resolutions for the coming year.  Filipinos are busy filling their balikbayan boxes with pasalubong,…

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 the past few months, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that, beginning October 1, 2017, it will expand in-person interviews for employment-based adjustment of status (“AOS”…

Gender inequality. Is it an  issue some  societies in the world have relegated to the past?   The trend to recognize same-sex marriages is picking up.  Women are  accepted (sometimes…