By Reuben Seguritan As of March 18, 2020, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) suspended all operations to help slow the spread of Covid-19. USCIS announced that they are closed until May 3, 2020. All appointments for biometrics, interviews and naturalization oath takings were cancelled. These appointments will be rescheduled once the government Read the full article…
What’s new
Impact of Covid-19 on Immigration Cases and Petitions
Adjustment of Status while in Removal Proceedings
By Reuben Seguritan An applicant may file for an adjustment of status (I-485 application) while he is in removal proceedings. Removal proceedings is the procedure of the government to remove aliens who are illegally in the United States or who are otherwise inadmissible to the US. However, since the applicant is already in removal proceedings, Read the full article…
New Public Charge Rule Creates Uncertainty and Fear
By Reuben Seguritan Beginning on February 24, 2020, the USCIS and the US Department of State (DOS) began implementing the new Public Charge rule to all immigrant visa applicants abroad, applicants adjusting to permanent status who are in the US and all nonimmigrant visa applicants who are seeking to extend their nonimmigrant stay in the Read the full article…
Provisional Waiver for Same Sex Couples
By Reuben Seguritan Individuals who are not eligible to adjust their status have to depart the US to process their immigrant visa at a US embassy or consulate abroad. The problem is if they leave, they will be subject to a 3 year or 10 year bar from reentering the US because of their unlawful Read the full article…
Challenging a Finding of Marriage Fraud
By: Reuben Seguritan Fraudulent or sham marriages are marriages between a US citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR) and a foreign national for the purpose of evading the immigration laws and gaining an immigration benefit such as getting a green card. The marriage is a sham from its inception if the parties do not have Read the full article…
Demand for Family and Employment Immigrant Visas Are High
By Reuben Seguritan According to the National Visa Center (NVC) report submitted to the Department of State on November 1, 2019, there is a very high demand for immigrant visas. The report did not include the applications held with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) offices. Every year there is a limited number Read the full article…
Meeting the Good Moral Character Requirement for Naturalization
By Reuben Seguritan A US permanent resident (green card holder) can become a US citizen by filing Form N400, Application for Naturalization with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). At the time of filing, the US permanent resident must have had permanent resident status for at least 5 years and must have lived Read the full article…