Category: Immigration Columnists

Individuals entering the United States on a crewman’s visa face several prohibitions on making their status legal that other non-immigrant entrants to the US are not affected by.  Crewmen cannot…

It is hard to believe that it is already time for many young people to renew their eligibility under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which grants relief from deportation/removal…

WITH House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s loss in a Virginia primary election last week to “Tea Party” challenger David Brat, the US House of Representatives looks even less likely to…

In a long-awaited decision, the US Supreme Court recently ruled that the only aged-out children who can retain (and convert) their original priority date under the Child Status Protection Act…

An applicant for admission or adjustment of status must generally have a qualified sponsor who executes a Form I-864 Affidavit of Support. Otherwise, such alien would be inadmissible under INA…

The July 2014 Visa Bulletin provides great news for Filipinos petitioned in the third preference (professional/skilled worker) and other (unskilled) worker categories, in that the priority date moved forward one…

Recently, a person came to my office for consultation after her adjustment of status application (based on marriage to a US citizen) was denied due to fraud. She had entered…

LAST week, President Obama urged Speaker of the House John Boehner to bring immigration reform to a vote this summer, or expect more administrative liberalization of Federal immigration policy. It…

DUE to demand stemming from aging demographics, the number of foreign-trained physicians practicing in the US continues to grow. According to the American Medical Association, International Medical Graduates (IMGs) comprise…

“ Immigrants in these circumstances would be well-advised to consult with an attorney specializing in Immigration & Nationality law to explore their options and determine what course of action is best…

Within the first week of the opening of the April 1, 2014 H-1B filing season, USCIS received a sufficient number of H-1B cap-subject petitions to overwhelm the annual H-1B quota—172,500….

Recently, a woman consulted with me about her brother’s immigration situation. Years ago, their father petitioned both of them while their father was still an immigrant. The father later naturalized,…

A WHITE Caucasian US Marine Corps veteran was granted disability pension benefits with Aid and Attendance effective February 1, 2014, by Rating Decision dated April 28, 2014, of the Department…

UNDER INA 101(a)(15)(F)(i), an alien student may temporarily enter the US to pursue a course of study at an established and approved college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary…

When a person is placed in removal/deportation, they typically go in front of the immigration judge (IJ) to demonstrate why they should not be deported or removed, such as they…

EMPLOYMENT-based immigration to the United States generally entails a three-step process: 1) Labor Certification (under the “PERM” program); 2) Immigrant Visa Petition approval; 3) Green Card issuance (or Consular Processing,…

The E-2 Treaty Investment Visa is the visa of choice for many business owners setting up shop in the US. The visa is highly desired as there is no limit…

The June 2014 Visa Bulletin indicates that the priority dates for the F-2A category (spouse\minor children of immigrant) will retrogress (move backwards) from September 8, 2013 to May 1, 2012….

ON May 6, 2014, the Obama Administration announced two new measures to attract and retain the highly-skilled workers the US requires to sustain the economic recovery. The first will allow…

UNDER Section 1031 of the United States Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. §1031, the exchange of properties used for investment or trade or business, but not for personal use, may…

Many in the LGBT community (in the pre-Windsor era) were placed in removal/deportation proceedings and were ordered removed/deported. This is because they had no “form of relief” available for them…

Recently a man came into our office to discuss his immigration case. He was very excited and confident that now was the time he would be able to file for…

On May 6, 2014, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a proposed rule allowing spouses of certain H–1B workers to apply for employment authorization. Under existing regulations, H-4 spouses…

IN 2009, President Obama signed into law amendments to the Immigration & Nationality Act (INA) reversing the longstanding rule that a “visa petition dies with the petitioner.” The new law…

Tattoos have evolved into popular forms of self-expression especially among younger people. However, tattoos sometimes indicate gang affiliations. As law enforcement officials began to understand the relationship of certain tattoos…