Family Sponsorship
In the United States, citizens and permanent residents (green card holders) can petition to bring family members into the country. This is called sponsorship. Family members of permanent residents who can petition for a green card are determined by a system of preferences. Immediate relatives, including spouses and minor children, have priority over other family […]
» Read More...March 27, 2019
Employment Authorization Card
An Employment Authorization Document card (EAD) is a temporary permit that allows foreign nationals to lawfully enter and work in the United States. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issues EADs to individuals who are permitted to work in the U.S. Citizens, permanent residents, and conditional permanent residents are not required to apply […]
» Read More...March 20, 2019
Videoconferencing in Immigration Court
As the backlog of immigration cases continues to swell, some federal authorities have proposed a high-tech solution for tackling the surge of legal proceedings. Last year, New York immigration officials began videoconferencing with individuals in detainment facilities. While this may seem like a practical solution to move cases along more efficiently, not everyone agrees with […]
» Read More...March 13, 2019
ICE Arrests in Courthouses
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents generally avoid making arrests in places they consider sensitive, such as in schools, churches, and hospitals. Yet, they are still actively making arrests at courthouses throughout the country, despite strong opposition from immigration advocates. According to a recent study by the Sheller Center for Social Justice at […]
» Read More...March 6, 2019
Immigration Status and Workers’ Rights
Recently, the Illinois state Attorney General released guidelines clarifying workers rights as they relate to their immigration status. The move comes in response to the growing confusion regarding foreign-born workers’ rights to seek employment in the United States. Ongoing changes in immigration law and policies have many men and women wondering if they are permitted […]
» Read More...February 27, 2019
Forms of Relief for Avoiding Removal
Multiple forms of relief are available to foreign nationals in the United States who are facing removal. These forms are classified as either “discretionary” or “administrative/judicial.” Discretionary relief is available after removal proceedings have begun. Administrative or judicial relief is available after hearings have ended. Discretionary Relief Discretionary relief requires the individual to prove they […]
» Read More...February 20, 2019
L-1A Visas
Multinational companies utilize the L-1A intracompany visa to transfer executives or managers outside of the country to the United States to either establish a new branch of the company or work at an existing branch. The L-1A applicant must have worked for the beneficiary company for at least one year within the three years prior […]
» Read More...February 13, 2019
Advocates Say Detaining Children is Unconstitutional
In an effort to combat what they consider to be the unconstitutional detention of foreign-born children, a group of immigrant advocates recently sued the federal government. The lawsuit alleges that the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is not releasing children to vetted sponsors in a timely manner. The advocates also say the government’s […]
» Read More...February 6, 2019
Obtaining Asylum
As large numbers of men, women, and children wait in limbo at the southwestern U.S. border, new questions are being raised about how they can enter the country. For many of these migrants, asylum is the answer. Individuals fleeing their countries of origin out of fear of persecution or because of violence, war, or other […]
» Read More...January 30, 2019
Divorce and Immigration
Many individuals obtain residency in the United States as a byproduct of marriage with an American citizen. These non-citizens must complete a two-year probationary period to obtain permanent resident status. When “conditional residents” do not meet the requirements of this period, their status may expire. To meet these conditions, your marriage must remain intact for […]
» Read More...January 23, 2019