Sometimes, you must admit fraud to get a green card
DEAR Atty. Gurfinkel: I entered the US in 2005 under a different name on my passport and visitor’s visa. I recently married a US citizen, who petitioned me. This was…
Category: Immigration Columnists
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The Trump presidency – What happens next?
WITH the incoming Trump presidency, there is a lot of fear and a lot of questions and uncertainties on what happens to immigration policies and enforcement when he takes office…
Can a divorcing couple agree to pay for their adult children’s college expenses in their divorce judgment?
DIVORCING couples with children sometimes worry about who is going to pay for their children’s college education after the divorce once their children graduates high school. They want a guarantee…
Keep your hopes up in this uncertain time
QUESTION: I don’t know what to do. Trump will become president and I’m afraid he will deport everyone who is not here legally? What can I do? Answer: First of…
United States citizenship
MARIO, was admitted to the United States as a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) when he was 18 years old. Now he wants to apply for citizenship, but the…
Is your broken marriage really ‘fixed’?
IF a person is ever caught in a fi xed marriage (married solely to obtain immigration benefits), the consequences (or punishment) could be severe. A fixed marriage finding by the…
Disclosure of text messages, e-mails, and Facebook info of a spouse or significant other may constitute domestic violence
DOMESTIC violence is abuse perpetrated against a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant, a girlfriend, a boyfriend, the mother or father of your child, your child. Family Code Section 6211. …
The February 2017 priority dates
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 to do if you get a ‘knock on the door’
MANY people are justifiably afraid and concerned about their future in America once Donald Trump becomes president. When he kicked off his campaign, he stated his intention to deport the…
Failed relationships of fiance visa beneficiaries
One advantage in filing a fiancé visa petition is that the fiancé beneficiary will be able to enter the United States faster compared to a spousal immigrant petition to be…
The necessity of being represented by an immigration attorney
The ability to lawfully live and work in the United States is a dream of so many people. The fulfillment of this dream requires the aspiring immigrant to navigate the…
Will incorporating a separate property business during marriage make it community property?
You own a successful business, as a sole proprietor, prior to marriage. You later meet the love of your life and decide to marry her. Years into the marriage, you…
Five benefits of establishing a revocable living trust
THERE is never the perfect time to think about who you would like to inherit from your estate in case you pass away or at least who among your closest…
Non-crewman C-1 transits can adjust status in the US
DEAR Atty. Gurfinkel: I entered the U.S. on a C–1 transit visa, but I am not a crewman, nor was I joining any ship. I was simply passing through the…
Panic mode
Even if every immigration attorney has a crystal ball and is able to read ‘mumbo jumbo’ or perform magic, they are unable to forecast the future for undocumented aliens (imagine…
Legal status: A wonderful Christmas gift for your family
AN important part of Christmas is buying gifts for loved ones. Filipinos are busy filling their balikbayan boxes with pasalubong, to send to their families “back home.” The pasalubong may…
CNMI (Saipan): A US territory
In the early 1990’s, news travelled fast about the irony behind the label “Made in the U.S.A” attached to famous brands of clothing because it was misleading. The apparels were…
The January 2017 priority dates
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…
Crimes that may affect your citizenship application
WHEN a legal permanent resident files for citizenship, one of the questions being asked of the applicant is whether the applicant has ever been convicted or charged with a crime. …
Green card petition for widow(er)s
SPOUSES of deceased United States (“U.S.”) citizens may apply for green cards, if they self-petition within 2 years of their spouse’s passing. The unmarried children under 21 years of age…
How to obtain a waiver for immigration fraud and misrepresentation
IF you are an applicant for an immigration visa, K visa, or V non-immigrant visa, your application may be denied if you are found inadmissible under certain circumstances. In this…
Consequences of failing to disclose material assets, income, facts and information in a divorce case
THERE is a natural tendency among divorcing parties to hide their assets from their spouse and understate income. This is a common problem that I have observed from practicing law…
Taking some of the mystery out of an attorney consultation
WITH the election of Donald Trump as president, and his statements about deporting millions of illegal aliens and getting tough on immigration, many people are scared, anxious, and worried about…
What to know before you go
HOLIDAYS are here and that means travelling to see family members. But before you go, here are a few things to remember. Departing the United States when you are not…
What to expect from President Trump on his immigration plan
After Donald Trump was elected president of the United States, many people became fearful, anxious, and nervous about their future in America. After all, he started his campaign by stating…
What to expect from President Trump on his immigration plan
AFTER Donald Trump was elected president of the United States, many people became fearful, anxious, and nervous about their future in America. After all, he started his campaign by stating…
When your green card expires: What next?
WHAT happens when my green card expires? Lawful Permanent Resident status is not affected by the expiration of the Form I-551, or the “green card.” A person does not lose…
E1/E2 visa – treaty trader and investor visa available to Filipinos
THE E-1/E-2 visa is available to citizens of countries with which the U.S. maintains treaties of commerce and navigation. The Philippines is a participating country, and therefore, Philippine citizens are…
Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks
THANKSGIVING is when people take a step back and reflect on all of the wonderful things and events to be grateful for, and to give thanks to those people who…
The Trump presidency – What happens next?
WITH the incoming Trump presidency, there is a lot of fear and a lot of questions and uncertainties on what happens to immigration policies and enforcement when he takes office…