Immigration Law blog
On February 5, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a notice in the Federal Register announcing the termination of Venezuela's 2023 Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation. This decision comes 60 days before the designation expires on April 2, 2025. The termination will take effect 60 days from publication, meaning Venezuelan nationals under the 2023 designation will no longer have TPS protection after April 6, 2025. Background: TPS for Venezuelans Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a form of relief granted to nationals of countries facing extraordinary conditions such as armed conflict, natural disasters, or other serious instability that makes…Read More
On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order titled "Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship," aiming to redefine birthright citizenship in the United States. This executive order attempts to strip fundamental rights provided by the U.S. Constitution from individuals born in the United States. The Constitution establishes that individuals born on U.S. soil are, with limited exceptions, U.S. citizens. The order expressly prohibits issuing citizenship documentation to children born in the United States if: The mother was unlawfully present in the U.S. at the time of birth and the father was neither a U.S. citizen…Read More
DHS Vacates 2025 Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Decision for Venezuela The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has officially vacated the January 10, 2025, decision of former Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas regarding Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela. This significant change immediately reverses the extension of Venezuela’s TPS designation and affects thousands of beneficiaries. What Led to This Decision? On January 17, 2025, Secretary Mayorkas issued a notice that:✅ Extended the 2023 Venezuela TPS designation for 18 months✅ Allowed a consolidation of filing processes so that all eligible Venezuelan TPS beneficiaries—under both the 2021 and 2023 designations—could apply under…Read More
On January 20, 2025, the President issued a Presidential Proclamation titled Guaranteeing the States Protection Against Invasion. This proclamation recognizes an ongoing influx of individuals crossing the southern border of the United States without legal authorization. Following this, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an official finding of a mass influx of aliens, invoking specific legal provisions to address what has been deemed an urgent crisis. To learn more, the full DHS document can be accessed here: Finding of Mass Influx of Aliens. What Is the DHS Finding? The DHS determination highlights that over the past four years, more…Read More
USCIS Eliminates COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Green Card Applicants Filing Adjustment of Status Effective January 22, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officially waived the requirement for applicants filing for adjustment of status (green card applications) to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination as part of their Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. This significant change simplifies the green card application process, removing a major hurdle for applicants seeking to adjust their status in the United States. What Does This Mean for Adjustment of Status Green Card Applicants? USCIS no longer requires green card applicants…Read More
The Laken Riley Act, introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on January 3, 2025, includes a provision that significantly expands the authority of state attorneys general to sue federal officials over immigration enforcement decisions. This aspect of the legislation has sparked considerable debate regarding its potential impact on the balance of power between state and federal governments. Key Provisions of State Authority to Sue Under the Act, state governments are empowered to seek injunctive relief against the federal government for specific immigration-related actions or inactions that result in harm to the state or its residents, including financial harm exceeding…Read More
The Laken Riley Act, named in memory of a Georgia nursing student tragically murdered by an undocumented immigrant, represents a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy. The legislation mandates the detention of undocumented individuals charged with theft-related offenses and expands the authority of state attorneys general to sue the federal government over immigration enforcement decisions. Congress.gov | Library of Congress Legislative Progress House of Representatives: On January 7, 2025, the House passed the Laken Riley Act with a 264-159 vote. The support included all Republican members and 48 Democrats, highlighting bipartisan backing for stricter immigration measures.Congress.gov | Library of Congress…Read More
As the holiday season fills our hearts with joy and gratitude, we at the Law Offices of Osas Iyamu, LLC, want to take a moment to thank our clients, partners, and friends of the firm for your trust and support throughout the year. It has been our honor to serve you, and your stories of perseverance and strength inspire us daily. This season is a time to celebrate connection, hope, and new beginnings. We wish you a Merry Christmas, and we hope this season brings you and your loved ones peace, happiness, and cherished memories. May the new year be…Read More
International marriage can be a beautiful journey of bringing two cultures together, but it also comes with challenges—especially when it involves international marriage brokers. Let's break down what these brokers are, the laws surrounding them, and how they may impact your immigration journey. What Is an International Marriage Broker? International marriage brokers (IMBs) are companies or agencies that match U.S. citizens or permanent residents with foreign nationals for marriage, often as part of the K-1 visa or fiancé(e) visa process. They connect individuals across borders, particularly where cultural practices and traditions differ vastly. You might have seen them portrayed in…Read More
The U.S. enacted the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA) to address IMBRA implementation challenges and protect noncitizen spouses and fiancé(e)s from potential abuse and exploitation during the immigration process. While the law was a significant step in ensuring safety and transparency, its implementation has faced several challenges. This blog explores the progress made in implementing IMBRA. It also examines the gaps and obstacles faced by USCIS, DOS, and DOJ. Agencies' Progress: Implementations and Remaining Challenges Since the enactment of IMBRA, several measures have been taken to protect noncitizen beneficiaries from abuse. USCIS, DOS, and DOJ have made progress in…Read More