What are the Four Categories of Immigration Status?
An immigrant will be classified under one of four statuses: U.S. citizen, permanent or conditional resident, non-immigrant, and undocumented. These statuses can change throughout a person’s lifetime. U.S. Citizen Status U.S. citizens are either born in the United States or have become naturalized after three or five years as a permanent resident. A person may […]
» Read More...September 13, 2021
Immigrant Workforce Bills can Help Pennsylvania Workforce
The United States has gone through a long stretch of virus-related disruptions. Especially in the spring of 2020, there was serious concern about whether the supply chains for essentials, like food and medical supplies, would hold. The food supply chain experienced extreme stress during the first few months of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. It became […]
» Read More...August 26, 2021
Do I Need a Sponsor to Become a United States Citizen?
Immigration is a very complex issue, and it becomes even more complicated when a sponsorship is involved. A sponsorship is an important step to citizenship for many people. However, it is necessarily required. It might seem that it is essential to successfully immigrate, but there are circumstances in which a sponsor is not required. Whether […]
» Read More...August 9, 2021
International Students Dealing With New Rules and Vaccines
It has been a difficult couple of years for college students who had to take remote classes and miss out on the college experience. While it was certainly difficult for American students, it was far more difficult for international students who were unable to travel and had to settle for online classes while still paying […]
» Read More...July 19, 2021
Many Vulnerable Migrants Will Soon be Allowed into the United States
The United States will soon allow up to 250 migrants who are deemed “particularly vulnerable” to enter the country each day. This is a shift from the current policy that blocks most families and single adults from crossing the border. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is currently rolling out the new system, which will […]
» Read More...July 5, 2021
New Limits on ICE Arrests Near Courthouses
The Biden administration recently announced restrictions on the ability of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to arrest illegal immigrants at or near courthouses. With this latest directive, immigration agents will only be making arrests if the immigrant involved is a threat to national security or to public safety and […]
» Read More...June 28, 2021
Alicia FarrenNew Hope for Visa Cases Stalled by COVID-19
A combination of travel restrictions and suspension of the processing of routine visa services due to COVID-19 have caused severely negative effects in the greater Philadelphia area. Local employers and the families of visa applicants found it nearly impossible to get cases concluded and people where they belong. Many employers, including hospitals in need of […]
» Read More...June 7, 2021
Elizabeth C. Surin and Thomas M. Griffin Selected to 2021 Super Lawyers List
Elizabeth C. Surin and Thomas M. Griffin of Surin & Griffin, P.C. have been selected to this year’s Pennsylvania Super Lawyers List. Super Lawyers is a patented rating service that uses a multi-level process to chose attorneys in over 70 different practice areas. A certified blue ribbon panel thoroughly evaluates credible professional achievements to choose attorneys. Peer reviews, independent research, […]
» Read More...May 26, 2021
When is an Immigration Judge’s Decision Final?
All immigration court hearings are stressful for those facing deportations. It does not matter if someone has just arrived months ago or spent years building a life in the United States, the decision can undo plans and dreams. Each immigration case is unique, which can create a lot of confusion for those awaiting a decision […]
» Read More...May 10, 2021
Are Immigrants in Pennsylvania Struggling to Get The Vaccine?
Pennsylvania is on pace to aggressively inoculate most of its citizens. However, there is a significant segment of that population that is having a difficult time obtaining the vaccine. Immigrants throughout Pennsylvania believe that they are facing mounting obstacles that prohibit them from receiving the vaccine. This can pose a serious risk to the rest […]
» Read More...April 14, 2021