The DHS public charge rule is officially off the books, with a new final rule issued March 15, 2021, and effective March 9 removing the policy. After a decision by the Biden administration to stop defending the DHS public charge rule, all pending appeals were...
American Dream and Promise Act Passes House
Immigration reform advanced another step in the legislative process, with the American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 passing the House of Representatives. The bill is much smaller than previously introduced legislation, which would have had more sweeping effects on...
What is an I-601 waiver?
United States immigration is a complex, multi-agency affair. This leads to many different options for immigrants, many forms and many factors that could affect your eligibility. The I-601 waiver deals with this eligibility issue. You might need to file it in order to...
Am I eligible for a T visa?
There are multiple visas that the US offers. Some of the more common visas that immigrants apply for are work visas or marriage visas. However, depending on your status, there may be more niche visas you can apply for. An example of a more niche visa is the T visa....
Some asylum applicants must no longer stay in Mexico
The U.S. has long been a beacon of hope for persecuted individuals around the world. To escape persecution and dangerous conditions, some citizens of Latin American countries have had little choice but to make the more than 3,500-mile trek to the southern border of...
Can you get a green card with a foreign crime?
Obtaining lawful residency is a process, as you probably already know. Getting a green card — a Permanent Resident Card, that is — is a major goal for most aspiring residents. You could face the temptation to misrepresent your past to USCIS. However, just because you...
Key differences and common statuses
It is not uncommon for individuals to use the terms “visa” and “status” interchangeably, or to use them together to discuss one’s status as a U.S. visitor or resident. Yet, the two terms refer to different things. According to the University of Michigan Student Life...
Is entering the U.S. illegally a crime?
There is a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding about undocumented immigrants. While many people believe it is a criminal act to be in the United States without proper documentation, it is not that simple. There are several considerations that can impact the...
What if US immigration questions the legitimacy of my marriage?
Most family-based immigration relies on eligibility through marriage. Marrying a current citizen, in fact, is one of the simplest ways to immigrate to the United States. Thus, it is not uncommon that a hopeful immigrant marries or attempts to marry a citizen for the...
Nationwide COVID-19 Injunction on the Public Charge Rule Stayed
The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has stayed a preliminary injunction against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) applying its expanded public charge rule. Due to pending litigation around this issue, the expanded rule still cannot be...