In a new decision by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), Matter of Herrera-Vazquez, BIA held that leaving portions empty on the Notice to Appear (NTA) did not render the document defective. The NTA is the charging document that initiates removal proceedings. There are three main components to an NTA: The biographical information, which lists […]
Due to the continued increase in the number of people infected with the novel coronavirus, USCIS and many other agencies instrumental in processing applications for immigration benefits, have shut down or drastically reduced their functions – leaving many applications and petitions in limbo. The Seattle Field Office was the first USCIS office to temporarily close […]
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that it will use previously submitted biometrics in order to continue processing employment authorization applications while Application Support Centers (ASC) remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants who had biometics appointments scheduled on or after the March 18 ASC closure will have their applications process normally […]
Activists are pleading with Congress to include immigrants in its relief packages. The Senate has yet to advance the Coronavirus Stimulus Package. Democrats have been very vocal against the stimulus package, stating more than $500 million of the $2 trillion it would cost, would go to large corporations, seemingly undeserving of the funds. If the […]
The Department of State has announced t is temporarily suspending routine visa services at all U.S. embassies and consulates because of the coronavirus.The Department had previously suspended visa services in countries in like Spain and South Korea, but has now moved to suspend the services worldwide.U.S. embassies and consulates will continue to provide urgent and emergency […]
USCIS UPDATE: As of March 18, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has suspended routine in-person services until at least April 1 to help slow the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). This includes any scheduled appointments, interviews, InfoPass appointments, asylum interviews and fingerprint appointments (Application Support Center). USCIS will send notices to any scheduled appointment that was […]
With new reports of individuals infected with the virus on the rise daily, the immigration system at large has begun to feel the effects. USCIS has started shutting down offices, causing further delays in case processing. USCIS closed its Seattle Field Office on March 3rd after learning one of its officers visited a Care Center […]
The Supreme Court ruled on Monday to allow the Trump Administration’s public charge rule to go into effect. Under this new approved policy, immigration officials can deny green card applications for immigrants who have used public benefits. Immigrants applying for lawful permanent resident status must now show they wont be a public charge – or […]
the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that Iranian nationals are no longer eligible for E-1 treaty trader and E-2 treaty investor changes or extensions of status based on that treaty. This change comes due to the October 3, 2018 termination of the 1955 Treat of Amity, Economic Relationship, and Consular Rights with […]
The Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF) Act was passed December 2019 as a small subsection in the national Defense Authorization Act. The LRIF Act has opened a one-year window for eligible Liberians to apply for adjustment of status. This window closes December 20, 2020. Due to the civil war that broke out in Liberia in […]
