immigration

What happens if I don’t have immigration status, but am marrying a US Citizen or Permanent Resident?

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One of the most common and well-known methods of gaining legal immigration status in the United States is via marriage to a US citizen (“USC”) or lawful permanent resident (“LPR”), commonly known as a green card holder.  If you are granted a green card through marriage to a USC, you are eligible to apply for citizenship three years later. However, the mere fact of getting married to a USC or LPR does not necessarily mean that you can get legal … Continued

How does the government shutdown affect my immigration case?

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With the ongoing government shutdown, we’ve received many calls from concerned immigration clients wondering what is open, what is closed, and how the shutdown affects their immigration case. USCIS (US Citizenship & Immigration Services) is not affected by the shutdown. USCIS services are paid by your filing fees so they remain open. Applications will continue to be received and processed even though the government is shut down. Biometrics (fingerprint) appointments will continue as scheduled, as will interviews. If you do … Continued

DACA Update – August 8, 2018

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What is happening with DACA? The DACA struggle continues. We are awaiting a decision on a lawsuit relating to DACA after a hearing today, Wednesday, August 8, 2018. The federal judge in Texas who will be making the decision, Judge Hanen, previously struck down the expansion of DACA. How did we get here? The DREAM Act to protect certain individuals who had been brought to the United States as children never passed congress, despite years of trying. The Obama administration … Continued

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) ends for El Salvador

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The Trump administration announced this morning that they are ending the humanitarian program known as Temporary Protected Status, TPS, for people from El Salvador. TPS provides temporary status for certain people in the US to live and work legally if their home country is affected by armed conflict, natural disasters, or other significant issues. Salvadorans have benefitted from TPS since devastating earthquakes hit their country in 2001 and became the largest group benefitting from temporary protected status in the US. … Continued

Will DACA End? What do I need to do?

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As a September 5th deadline looms, we have been keeping a close eye on the news to see what might happen to DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). While campaigning, President Trump had said he would end the program if he won. After he won, he said that DACA recipients could “rest easy” and it seemed that DACA would remain. As of the past week or so, it seems that DACA may be canceled. Not much is known right now … Continued

What is happening with DAPA?

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We have received many inquiries regarding Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents, commonly known as DAPA. This program was announced by President Obama on November 20, 2014. As you have likely heard, there have been recent developments affecting DAPA. Texas and 26 other states have brought a lawsuit to block this program and the extension of the DACA program based on hardship and expenses that will be incurred by the states. The suit was heard by Judge Andrew Hanen in … Continued