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If you have an immigration issue and you want the help of an experienced attorney, you should arrange a consultation with Serving Immigrants. At your consultation, we will discuss your issues and explore your options. There are some steps you can take prior to the consultation to get the most out of the meeting. Gather Documents The most important thing you can do prior to your consultation is to gather all the necessary documents so you can provide copies to the attorney. These documents may include things such as your birth certificate, visas or visa applications, passports, marriage certificates, and any documents you were given when you entered the United States. If you have a criminal record, then copies of all police and court documents will be necessary. Prepare Questions You may be nervous during the consultation and forget what questions you have for the attorney. Make a list ahead of time, so you are prepared. Some questions you may want to ask include: What…Read More

Two weeks after he announced that he would keep in place Trump’s limit of 15,000 refugees, President Biden announced that he would raise the limit of refugees allowed in the United States. This came after the president faced backlash for his original announcement. President Biden said he would now allow as many as 62,500 refugees into the United States over the next six months. This eliminates the sharp limits placed by Trump on the number of individuals escaping war, violence, or natural disasters from coming into the country. Backtracking Biden faced harsh criticism after his original announcement that he would keep Trump’s limits in place. Democrats and refugee advocates accused Biden of reneging on a campaign promise to welcome refugees in need. Biden quickly backtracked, announcing hours later his intent to increase the limit. His later announcement demonstrated that the president had finally bowed to pressure. Biden stated that the previous cap on refugees did not comport with America’s values as a nation to welcome…Read More

In 2000, Congress created the T nonimmigrant visa to help combat human trafficking and provide some immigration relief to individuals who had been trafficked into the United States. What Is A T Visa? The T visa is a type of immigration relief allowing survivors of human trafficking and their family members to temporarily remain and work in the United States. The T visa can be a path to a green card down the road. Why Should Someone Apply For A T Visa? A T visa allows for four years of lawful immigration status and employment authorization. If the T visa holder meets eligibility, they may be able to apply for a green card. T visa holders may be eligible for federal refugee benefits, which include cash assistance, food stamps, and job training. A visa holder may be able to petition for a T visa for certain family members. Who Is Eligible For A T Visa? To establish eligibility for a T visa, an applicant must…Read More

When you are seeking a green card under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), there are a number of different requirements that must be met. To fulfill most of these requirements, you will need the proper documentation. Here are some of the documents you may need for your petition. Relationship To The Abuser A VAWA petitioner must show that they are, or were, married to their abuser. It must also be shown that the marriage was legal and that any previous marriages had been dissolved due to death or divorce. The documents you can use to prove this requirement include: Marriage certificates Death certificates related to any previous marriage. Divorce decrees related to the marriage to the abuser or any previous marriages. Status Of The Abuser A VAWA petitioner must also show that the abuser was a United States citizen or legal permanent resident. This can be accomplished by presenting: Abuser’s birth certificate Abuser’s United States passport Abuser’s Certificate of Naturalization Abuser’s green card Any…Read More

In March of 2021, the House of Representatives voted to create a path to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants. American Dream And Promise Act The American Dream and Promise Act was drafted as part of President Joe Biden’s immigration proposals. The Act would grant legal status, and eventually citizenship, to immigrants who were illegally brought to the United States as children. These individuals are known as Dreamers. The bill would also provide Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to those individuals who cannot return to their countries due to conflict or disaster. Passage of the bill sparked hope. However, the proposed bill faces steep odds as it goes to the Senate. If the bill passes, it will allow DACA recipients eligibility to apply for a ten-year permanent residency. The news is very exciting to the millions of DACA recipients who are just seeking a path forward in the country that has been their home since they were children. The proposed bill is also exciting from an economic standpoint.…Read More

If you are a citizen of a foreign country, you will need a visa to enter the United States. There are two broad categories that visas fall under: Nonimmigrant visa Immigrant visa If you want to temporarily work in the United States, you will need a nonimmigrant visa. You are here to work rather than to move to this country. There are different employment groups and types of visas. Exchange Visa – This is a “J” visa. You will see these associated with schools. University professors may teach at a school for a semester. And they will be traveling to a foreign country to do so. Because they will be working and getting paid, they would be applying for this visa. Temporary Employment – This is your visa for temporary employment B Visas – Temporary Business Visa H-1B – Speciality Occupations (i.d., a Bachelor’s Degree) H-2A – Seasonal Agricultural Workers H-2B – Seasonal/Non-Agricultural H-3 – Training and Education L Visa – Internal Company Transfers O Visa – People With Extraordinary Ability (this pertains to people…Read More

To apply for a marriage-based visa, you are not required to have an attorney. However, an attorney can be helpful, and there are a few important reasons why you should consider hiring one. Exploring Your Options An experienced immigration attorney can help you explore your visa options and determine which path is right for you. Maybe a marriage-based visa isn’t the best course of action. Maybe, if you aren’t married yet, you should try for a fiancé visa. You can discuss your needs with the attorney, and they can help you make the right decision. Handling The Paperwork As with any visa application, there is a great deal of paperwork involved in a marriage-based visa application. The forms can be confusing, and having an attorney to make sure they are accurately and clearly completed can take some of the pressure off of you. Let the attorney handle the paperwork, and you can sit back and make preparations for your future. Presenting The Necessary Evidence When…Read More

The Difference Between Removable And Inadmissible Immigration The difference between these two terms is simple: inadmissible is used when someone is denied entry into the United States; removable refers to someone who is already in the country. They may fall into one of these categories: Living in the U.S. legally (they possess a nonimmigrant visa or a green card) They are undocumented (no green card or nonimmigrant visa) and are here illegally Why are these two terms important for you to know? It’s because of what they have in common. Regardless of whether you are inadmissible or removable, you will not be allowed to live in the United States. Inadmissible This applies when you are trying to become a legal permanent resident (a green card holder). It MAY apply to legal permanent residents who reenter the US under specific circumstances. The grounds for inadmissibility for people who are applying for a green card can be broken down into the following categories: Criminal Health Security  Someone Dependent on the Government…Read More