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Immigration Law News

USCIS releases fact sheet on U.S. Citizenship through military service

Posted Fri, 05/23/2008 - 06:04 by Phil

U.S. immigration law has specific provisions that allow those who serve in the U.S. military to obtain U.S. Citizenship The USCIS recently published a fact sheet that describes the requirements to qualify for these benefits.

Conviction for intent with possession to deliver marijuna big trouble for lawful permanent residents

Posted Thu, 05/08/2008 - 03:58 by Phil

The 9th Circuit Court has ruled that possession with intent to delivery marijuana is an "aggravated felony" under the Immigration and Nationality Act. As the law currently stands, a conviction of a crime that is considered determined to be an "aggravated felony" is big trouble for a lawful permanent resident. Unlike U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents are subject to permanent removal from the United States. A conviction for certain criminal offenses can be grounds for removal from the U.S.

USCIS releases report on current naturalization processing times

Posted Mon, 05/05/2008 - 04:10 by Phil

This past year a recent surge in applications for naturalization petitions caused a large backlog in USCIS processing times. The surge was caused, in large part, by the USCIS filing fee increase that took effect as of July 31, 2007. Many qualified applicants filed their petitions ahead of the fee increase. This matter was addressed by the U.S. Congress and the USCIS recently released a report with updated processing times for all local USCIS offices. We have experienced improved processing times for naturalization petitions in recent months.

Why you might need to apply for an I-131 travel document

Posted Sun, 05/04/2008 - 06:21 by Phil

Anyone who presents themselves at the U.S. border and intends to enter the country must provide border officials with certain documentation evidencing their authority to enter the U.S. In the case of U.S. Citizens, this means that the person must simply present a U.S. passport or other acceptable evidence of U.S. Citizenship. The documentation requirements can be more complicated and can create problems for unwary lawful permanent residents or non-immigrants.

Good tips for K1 visa supporting documentation

Posted Sun, 05/04/2008 - 04:21 by Phil

The single most common reason for the rejection of K1 fiance visa petitions is the failure of the applicant to provide the proper supporting documentation. In order to be sure you provide the proper supporting documentation with your petition it is critical that you read the USCIS instructions on the I-129F form carefully.

This article by a K1 fiance visa attorney also provides some good tips.

What is the K3 visa and why it is of little value

Posted Sat, 05/03/2008 - 04:30 by Phil

Many people are familiar with the K1 fiance visa, but the K3 visa is less familiar. The K3 visa was established in 2000 as part of the Life Act. The K3 visa allows the spouse of a U.S. Citizen who has an approved or pending I-130 immigrant visa petition to obtain a non-immigrant visa and enter the U.S.

USCIS changes Form I-693 and medical examination procedures

Posted Thu, 05/01/2008 - 20:49 by Phil

On April 29th, the USCIS announced that it had revised Form I-693. Form I-693 is the medical examination form which is completed by a civil surgeon for various immigrant visas. All adjustment of status applicants are required to have a medical examination and Form I-693 is completed by the civil surgeon.

Korean nationals to be added to Visa Waiver Program

Posted Thu, 05/01/2008 - 01:12 by Phil

The Visa Waiver Program(VWP) is a a U.S. program that allows foreign nationals of certain countries to travel to the U.S. for business or please for a period of 90 days without a visa.

If your US citizen spouse dies so might your legal status

Posted Mon, 03/31/2008 - 02:18 by Phil

Today while driving in my car listening to the radio I learned something that outraged me. I was listening to This American Life with Ira Glass. The show was entitled the "Audacity of Government" and presented two stories of how the expanding powers of the executive branch have resulted in widespread abuses of power.

New York Times Editorial On USCIS Failures and the Resignation of Director Gonzalez

Posted Sun, 03/23/2008 - 05:19 by Phil

From the New York Times

The mastermind of the mid-summer rate hike which saw increases of 66% or more for most USCIS filing fees is stepping down. In a recent New York Times editorial, the paper questions the judgment of a seemingly incompetent leader who thought the impact of the increased filing fees would be "negligible."