Keeping the Mother of a US Navy Seaman From Deportation . . . .

He filed for his mother over a year ago . . . .     US immigration law permits “immediate family”  to get Green Cards  in the United States unless there other factors, crime, etc., that prevent a particular person from receiving that benefit.  US law and policy often makes special consideration for active military, and most politicians claim to support …

Legal Permanent Residents should avoid traveling outside the US

During the COVID-19 pandemic, travel restrictions can change quickly for both lawful permanent residents and others seeking to enter or return to the United States. If at all possible, traveling outside the United States should be avoided except in the most urgent situations. If you are a lawful permanent resident (LPR), you should keep the following concepts in mind when …

When Will the US Embassy Act on My Visa?

US Embassies Prioritize Visa Applications to Remedy Backlog The Covid-19 crisis has affected immigrant and nonimmigrant visas processing at U.S. Embassies and has created a backlog. The State Department is working to reduce this backlog by prioritizing visa categories. The highest priority is given to immigrant visa applications for U.S. immediate relatives, fiancé applicants and other family-sponsored applicants. Priority is …

Since the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) became available to Venezuelans and Burmans, many questions have arisen for the citizens of these countries, who previously filed for political asylum

One of the most common is: Does the asylum office act differently towards me if I have also applied for TPS or Deferred Deportation (DED)?  The answer is both “no” and “yes”. “No”, the asylum office does not process an asylum claim differently if the applicant had been granted DED or holds TPS.  Eligibility for asylum is not adversely influenced …

Burma has been designated for TPS

Syria extended till September 2022 Secretary of Homeland Security is designating Burma (Myanmar) for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. This new designation of Burma for TPS enables Burmese nationals (and individuals without nationality who last habitually resided in Burma) currently residing in the United States to file initial applications for TPS, so long as they meet eligibility requirements. …

Are you a national of Liberia or Venezuela?

The Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) status allows citizens from Liberia, and soon, Venezuela, to remain in the country for the time established in the Federal Register and with the option to obtain work authorization. The DED is a temporary migratory benefit for individuals from designated countries and regions, facing political or civic conflict or natural disaster to stay in the …

Donald Trump’s final blows to immigration

After 4 years of a government focused on diminishing immigration to the United States, the final days of Donald Trump have been dedicated to modifying the immigration processes for foreign travelers and workers as well as U.S. businesses. Restriction on access to H1B Visas for foreign workers, elimination of work authorization for people with suspended deportation, restrictions on travel, delayed …

USCIS cancels planned massive furloughs

U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND Immigration Services said Tuesday that it has halted plans to furlough 70% of its workforce on Sunday, saving some 13,400 employees from temporary layoff and averting a near-total shut down of the legal immigration system. The agency warned, however, that furloughs could still take place in the future unless Congress acts to stabilize USCIS’s finances. USCIS is the …

Restrictions to Work Authorization for Asylum Applicants to Begin on August 25,2020

USCIS announced a final rule modifying DHS’s regulations governing asylum applications, interviews and eligibility for employment authorization based on a pending asylum application. Applicants for an initial or renewal employment authorization document under the (c)(8) eligibility category must submit biometrics and pay the biometric services fee. There are also new questions applicants must complete based on a pending asylum application. USCIS will not …