Month: October 2026
October 30, 2026
Military Parole in Place: How Family Members of Service Members and Veterans Can Get Legal Status Without Leaving the U.S.
If you entered the United States without inspection and are the family member of a U.S. service member or veteran, you may have a path to apply for a green card without leaving the country. Military parole in place (PIP) may help address one major obstacle: the lack of an authorized entry that many people […]
October 30, 2026
Waiting for Your BFD Letter? How to Speed Up Your Bona Fide Determination and Get Your C14 Work Permit Sooner
If you filed a U visa petition years ago, you may be waiting for two important things: a Bona Fide Determination (BFD) and the chance to work legally while your case remains pending. The wait can affect your income, stability, and plans for your family. Can you do anything to move your case forward? You […]
October 30, 2026
If I Am an LPR, What Can Cause Me to Be Deported? A Green Card Holder’s Guide to the Grounds of Deportability
Having a green card is important protection, but it is not immunity from deportation. A lawful permanent resident (LPR) can be placed in removal proceedings if the government claims that a ground of deportability applies. The main grounds are listed in INA § 237, also known as 8 U.S.C. § 1227. A notice to appear […]
October 30, 2026
I’m a Legal Permanent Resident. How Long Can I Be Out of the USA Per Year and Still Keep My LPR Status?
There is no set number of days you can spend outside the United States each year and still automatically keep your green card. Lawful permanent resident (LPR) status is based on making the United States your permanent home. A trip can be short but still raise questions if your life appears to have moved abroad. […]
October 30, 2026
When Should I File My DACA Renewal? Timing Your Application So Your Work Permit Never Lapses
If you have DACA, mark your renewal date well before your current grant expires. USCIS strongly recommends filing your DACA renewal 150 to 120 days before the expiration date, about five to four months ahead. Filing near the start of that window gives you more time for USCIS to process your request. Good timing can […]
October 30, 2026
Lost Your Green Card? How to Get an ADIT (I-551) Stamp in Your Passport to Prove You’re an LPR While You Wait for a Replacement
Losing your Green Card can disrupt everyday plans. You may need to prove your status to an employer, travel internationally, or show that you are authorized to live permanently in the United States. The good news: losing the physical card does not, by itself, end your lawful permanent resident status. If you have filed or […]
October 30, 2026
USCIS May Visit Your Neighborhood or Workplace During Your Citizenship Application. Can Character Reference Letters Help You Skip It?
Yes, USCIS may investigate your neighborhood or workplace during your naturalization case. And yes, some applicants may be able to avoid a neighborhood investigation by submitting character reference letters with their N-400. But letters do not guarantee that USCIS will waive an investigation. USCIS updated its policy in August 2026 to say it may conduct […]
October 30, 2026
How Should I Prepare for the New Public Charge Rules at an Immigrant Visa Interview at a Consulate Abroad?
If you are preparing for an immigrant visa interview abroad, changing public charge guidance and reports of interview delays may leave you wondering what to do next. Careful preparation can help you respond to questions about your finances, support, health, and plans in the United States. The public charge ground of inadmissibility is found in […]
October 30, 2026
Lost Your Green Card? How to Get an ADIT (I-551) Stamp in Your Passport to Prove You’re an LPR While You Wait for a Replacement
Losing your Green Card can disrupt everyday plans. You may need to prove your status to an employer, travel internationally, or show that you are authorized to live permanently in the United States. The good news: losing the physical card does not, by itself, end your lawful permanent resident status. If you have filed or […]
October 30, 2026
USCIS May Visit Your Neighborhood or Workplace During Your Citizenship Application. Can Character Reference Letters Help You Skip It?
Yes, USCIS may investigate your neighborhood or workplace during your naturalization case. And yes, some applicants may be able to avoid a neighborhood investigation by submitting character reference letters with their N-400. But letters do not guarantee that USCIS will waive an investigation. USCIS updated its policy in August 2026 to say it may conduct […]