Many immigrants come to the U.S. to reunite with their families. But what if you are not family yet? You may be able to help your fiancé(e) come to America through family immigration; specifically, the K-1 Fiancé(e) visa. Immigration forms and policies can seem...
Reviewing family immigration quotas
After having immigrated to Illinois yourself, you may likely want your family to reunite with you here. You may feel concerned about them encountering some of the same challenges you faced during the immigration and naturalization process, you can rest assured that...
Suspension of the DS-5540 Public Charge Test during COVID19
On July 29, 2020, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York issued nationwide temporary injunctions related to the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) and Department of State's (DOS) public charge rule in the Immigration and...
Anticipated USCIS Furlough in August 2020; What Does That Mean for Your Case?
Everyone has been feeling the pinch of the pandemic, which has had devastating economic impacts. Numerous small businesses are struggling to stay afloat, and many are finding it difficult to meet the monthly rent. USCIS is no different, and as an organization they are...
Are USCIS Offices Really Open Now after June 2020 Re-opening?
USCIS re-opening on June 4, 2020 was supposed to jumpstart stalled immigration cases. However, the reopening has shown disparate impacts on green card, naturalization, and H1B cases The first, in fact only, action taken by USCIS after the reopening was to gradually...
USCIS Reopening on June 4, 2020
On May 27, 2020, USCIS confirmed its reopening to the public on June 4, 2020. Although USCIS will resume routine public services, local USCIS field offices will operate at a reduced capacity. The number of appointments and interviews will be reduced to ensure social...
Recent USCIS Denial or Rejection of Green Card Cases
You spent many hours preparing forms and documents, and then submitted a family-based green card case to USCIS. You have heard about the numerous, new requirements that have come out recently, such as the Public Charge rule, April 2020 Presidential Proclamation, and...
IRS Tax Transcript Requirement Under the Public Charge Rule and How to Obtain It.
If you plan to adjust status (obtain a green card) or apply for an immigrant visa, you will need to provide the government with tax documents for the most recent tax year. In some cases, you are required to obtain a tax transcript from the IRS and submit it instead of...
A Brief Overview of the February 2020 USCIS Public Charge Rule
Adjustment of Status (green card) cases filed on or after February 24, 2020 will face much more scrutiny than earlier applications. This is because of a change in what is known as the “public charge rule.” The public charge rule has been around for a long time, but is...
A Brief Overview of the April 22, 2020 Proclamation Suspending Entry of Immigrants
On April 22, 2020, the President issued a Proclamation restricting immigration into the United States. The Proclamation is scheduled to take effect at 11:59 pm on April 23. While many people feared that it would be broad in scope, the Proclamation contains many...