U.S. Immigration laws and regulations have always required immigration attorneys to have a certain level of creativity to problem solve. Keeping current on regulation changes, combined with creativity, helped me navigate the paths to my clients’ goals even when they took unexpected turns....
options to those H1b employees who have been affected by employment uncertainty resulting from the Covid-19 impact Short term Options A short-term option that we will generally discuss with these impacted foreign nationals is that of the B visa. The B visa is a short term (6 month) visa that is...
In this video, Board Certified Immigration Attorney explains how to navigate the U.S. Immigration process given the procedural changes with the agencies during the pandemic....
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recognizes that there are immigration-related challenges as a direct result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We continue to carefully analyze these issues and to leverage our resources. NON IMMIGRANTS MUST GENERALLY DEPART Generally, nonimmigrants...
The current status of immigration during COVID-19 In Massachusetts, Governor Charlie Baker has shut down non-essential businesses to be open to the public until at least May 4, 2020. We are now meeting with clients over the phone or video call. We are working remotely and continuing to work on...
Immigration updates during the uncertainty of the CoronaVirus. The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) ESTA Expiration: Customs & Border Patrol have made accommodations for satisfactory departure for those in the United States on ESTA. Satisfactory Departure allows CBP to extend the...
How does the Public Charge rule affect those who want to seek testing and treatment and for those who were laid off or furloughed because of COVID-19 Can you get tested, screened, or treated for COVID-19 using a public benefit, such as Medicaid? According to USCIS, yes. This type of preventive or...
The Conoravirus pandemic has severely impacted the lives of people in the US, citizens and immigrants alike. Immigrants whether green card holders, persons with temporary visas or those who are undocumented need to protect their health and stay updated with US immigration policies. USCIS Response...
On Friday, March 20, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security used its discretionary authority to allow flexibility for the in-person Form I-9 verification requirements. Here is what you need to know. Who Is Eligible for This Flexibility? If you’re an employer practicing social distancing because...
The following green card marriage questions are commonly used by USCIS examiners to determine whether your marriage is real, or if you just got married in order to get a green card. Our best advice is to: 1. Always tell the truth. 2. Keep your answers short. 3. If you are not 100% sure of the...
Charlie Oppenheim at the US Department of State issues visa bulletin predictions as to how rapidly or slowly he expects the priority dates in the employment-based and family-based categories to move forward, or to retrogress. You can stay up-to-date with the waiting times in the Visa Bulletin by su...
Charlie Oppenheim at the US Department of State issues visa bulletin predictions as to how rapidly or slowly he expects the priority dates in the employment-based and family-based categories to move forward, or to retrogress. You can stay up-to-date with the waiting times in the Visa Bulletin by...
New precedent Lorenzo Lopez v. Barr, No. 15-72406 May 22, 2019 (9th Cir. 2019) allows to move the BIA to reconsider denial of "Pereira" motion to terminate for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction. This precedent expressly held, that Pereira overruled Popa, - something the BIA pretends not to see....
On July 11, 2019, Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky) introduced the BELIEVE Act (S. 2091) as a way to reform legal immigration to the United States. The Believe Act would abolish per-country quotas for employment-based immigration similar to H.R. 1044 which was passed by the House of Representatives on July...
The U.S. State Department announced that the family 2A category (spouses and unmarried children of lawful permanent residents) will become current for the first time in many years. On June 26, the USCIS announced that even though Worldwide Family 2A is backlogged on the Dates of Filing Chart, since...
Priority dates in the July Visa Bulletin will change like nothing I’ve ever seen in my 40+ years of practicing immigration law. Some categories and countries will become current for the first time in many years, and others will advance rapidly. However, some dates will remain frozen while others...
On May 16, 2019, President Trump proposed a new immigration system in which over half of all green cards would be allotted to highly educated and skilled immigrants and their families. Under the President’s proposal, the number of green cards approved each year would remain at 1.1 million, the same...
In June 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark 8-1 decision in Pereira v Sessions holding that a Notice to Appear (NTA) in Immigration Court which does not state the date and time of the hearing is a defective Notice to Appear and does not give the Immigration Court jurisdiction over a case....
On May 17, 2019, the U.S. State Department announced that the family 2A category (spouses and unmarried children of lawful permanent residents) will become current for the first time in many years. Family 2A Category Will Become Current On July 1, 2019 The State Department’s Charlie Oppenheim who...
AILA Doc. No. 19032730 | Dated March 26, 2019 AILA member Shachar Shawn Malachovsky discussed the top five issues surrounding USCIS delays under the Trump administration. One: Processing times for USCIS cases are delayed: According to a recent AILA Policy Brief, "USCIS Processing Delays Have...
