Immigration Blog

Blog

March 22, 2021

What is a Work Permit (Employment Authorization Document)?

A Work Permit, also known as employment authorization document (EAD) allows certain immigrants to legally work in the United States for a certain amount of time. The authorization itself does not grant immigration status, only permission to work, request a Social Security Number and a driver’s license, in case the applicant hasn’t been granted one […]

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March 10, 2021

What is Parole In Place?

Parole In place is a discretionary program established during the Obama administration that allows parents, children or spouses of Military personnel or Veterans to obtain a lawful immigration status. A Parole in Place itself does not lead to any immigration status or other immigration benefit. After receiving Parole In Place, you can apply for a […]

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December 7, 2020

DREAM Act/DACA

INITIAL Dreamer DACA applications ARE being ACCEPTED. RENEWAL APPLICATIONS are being accepted. ADVANCE PAROLE applications are being accepted. Another court in Texas may make a decision that will impact DACA & Advance Parole so there may only be a small window of time to apply.  This court may make a decision on December 22, 2020.  […]

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November 24, 2020

Overview of Immigration Court (Executive Office of Immigration Review – EOIR)

Immigration Court (aka:  Deportation Court) has a formal name called the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR).  Typically, an undocumented individual or a legal permanent resident or foreign national ends up in Immigration Court after detention at the border, after committing a crime, after having an application denied by Immigration (USCIS), after their visa has […]

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October 27, 2020

The State of DACA (Dreamers)

After the US Supreme Court Decision, the Trump Administration could have allowed DACA to remain and could have accepted initial DACA requests.  Instead the Trump Administration wrote a memo about how DACA will be treated, for the time being, while the Administration reviews the policy.   Where does DACA (Dreamers) (Form i821D) stand right now:  […]

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September 14, 2020

Work Permits Based On Filing Asylum Just Got Tougher

On August 25, 2020, new regulations went into effect that make obtaining a work permit based on filing an asylum application much tougher.  This aligns with the Trump Administration policy to make it tougher on those in the USA seeking asylum.  The period for filing for an asylum application work permit has gone from 180 […]

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September 10, 2020

Covid 19 & Immigration

Delays, Delays, Delays   Portland Immigration Court (EOIR) For months, all non-detained hearings have been cancelled.  We typically get a few weeks notice of cancellations.  Currently, all non-detained hearings at the Portland, Oregon Immigration Court are cancelled through September 25, 2020.  The Immigration Court will re-schedule these hearings.  Cancellations for this period of time is […]

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September 8, 2020

USCIS To Increase Fees On Most Application Beginning October 2, 2020

USCIS will begin fee increases beginning October 2, 2020.  Here are some notable fee increases: Family Petition Form i-130:  $25 increase from $535 to $560 Waiver Form i192 (often needed for the U visa):  $470 increase from $930 to $1400 Unlawful Presence Waiver Form i601a:  $330 increase from $630 + $85 biometric fee to $960 […]

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September 3, 2020

National Visa Center Expedite Requests For Consular Process Cases

If your relative needs to process their case outside the USA, once the family petition (i-130) is approved, the case is sent to the National Visa Center which is located in New Hampshire.  You should also get an email with your case number and invoice number. How To Request An NVC Expedite In order to […]

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July 29, 2020

Cancellation of Removal – 10 year Cancellation – Form E42b

The threat of deportation is an extremely terrifying reality for many non-residents in the United States. However, the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) has a pathway for Non-Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) to be granted the cancellation of removal (stops the deportation and grants a green card {legal permanent residence}).  Cancellation of Removal for Non-LPR’s For […]

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