If you’re an immigrant who has ever been arrested, summonsed to court, admitted to criminal activity, or convicted of certain criminal offenses, you must discuss your legal history with an immigration attorney before submitting any paperwork to any US government agency or attending any interview or hearing. A broad category of crimes can render an individual ‘inadmissible’ to the United States and can trigger Read More
Courts block USCIS’s Implementation of New Public Charge Rules
On October 11, 2019 various courts blocked the Trump administration's implementation of new public charge rules that drastically increase the scope of inquiry for the public charge determination. The new rules, if ever formally implemented, will prevent applicants for receiving green cards if they have used a wide variety of "benefits" most of which fall well outside the long-standing practice of considering "cash" Read More
Be careful when using online/social media!
For years, DHS agencies including USCIS and ICE have investigated non-citizens through social media. USCIS and ICE will present documents that show clients, for example, using controlled substances, advocating support for terrorist-designated organizations and other problematic organizations, and having romantic relationships with people other than the US citizens petitioning for green card. This week DHS announced Read More
I-751 Facing Lengthy Delays
In my practice, I represent many couples on removing conditions on residency, a requirement for conditional permanent residents who are married to US citizen less than two years at the time that they adjust status based on that marriage. To remove the conditions, clients must file Form I-751 with extensive supporting documents. Currently, my clients are experiencing lengthy delays on their pending Forms I-751. Some Read More
USCIS Extends Haitian TPS for Six Months; Re-Registration Required
USCIS extended TPS for eligible Haitian for six months. All currently enrolled Haitian TPS recipients MUST RE-REGISTER by July 24, 2017. The new registration will allow the applicant to apply for a new work permit (employment authorization document). USCIS's notice regarding the extension warns Haitian TPS recipients to "prepare for their return to Haiti in the event Haiti’s designation is not extended again, Read More
USCIS Policy Memo about Translators at USCIS Interviews
On January 17, 2017, USCIS published new guidelines on the use of translators at USCIS interviews. See https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Laws/Memoranda/2017/2017-17-1-RoleUseInterpreters-PM-602-0125-1.pdf. The policy sets forth requirements for the interpreter's qualifications including fluency, competency and impartiality. The policy prohibits the use of an interpreter who is under the age of 18, who Read More
Apply for US Citizenship!
Now is the time to apply for US citizenship if you are eligible. Consult with me or another immigration attorney about your eligibility and check out USCIS.gov for information about the citizenship/naturalization test. The basic requirements for citizenship are: Five or three years of "green card"/LPR/lawful permanent resident status. You need five years of "green card" status unless for the past three years you Read More
Immigration under Donald Trump
Donald Trump and his administration issued memoranda relating to the administration's deportation/removal priorities. These memos do not change the definition of deportable, that is, reasons why someone could be deported from the US. However, the memos signal a drastic change from President Obama's humane focus on immigrants with certain criminal backgrounds, to anyone who has ever made any criminal mistake (whether Read More
USCIS Processing Times
About every month, USCIS publishes processing times for its decisions on most USCIS forms. Whenever you receive a receipt notice from USCIS, it should have an address at the bottom of the form (generally on the left side). That is the office that is processing the form. At the top of the form, there is a "receipt" or "priority" date. Check the status of your form by looking at the Processing Times for the office Read More
Happy New Year, New Fees and New Forms
Happy 2017! Make sure to check USCIS's new versions of most forms and most new fees at USCIS.gov. USCIS will reject unauthorized versions of forms immediately and others after a cut-off date on February 17, 2017. USCIS will reject ALL applications that are not submitted the new, correct fees listed for each form. Read More
Hello@CambridgeImmigrationLaw.com
Visit us at our office:
111 Rice Street Cambridge, MA 02140