Immigration Law blog
Overview of TPS Extension The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has extended TPS status designation for eligible citizens of Nicaragua and stateless persons who last habitually resided in that country. U.S. immigration law allows the designation of a country for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) if armed conflict poses a serious threat to the personal safety of its citizens upon return. The U.S. may designate a country for TPS if a natural disaster prevents it from handling the return of its citizens. Attorney General finds extraordinary and temporary conditions that prevent the safe return of its citizens. Benefits and Requirements A…Read More
H-1B Visa Program for Entrepreneurs On February 18, 2016, the New York City Economic Development Corporation launched the International Innovators Initiative (IN2NYC) with City University of New York. This program helps international entrepreneurs obtain H-1B visas, allowing them to stay in the U.S. legally and grow their businesses. The City University of New York (CUNY) is an integrated system of colleges, graduate schools, and research centers. It provides the city with graduates trained for positions in science, technology, mathematics, teaching, and nursing. New York City Economic Development Corporation-NYCEDC is the City's primary vehicle for promoting economic growth through expansion and…Read More
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016! Immigration Attorney Osas Iyamu extends heartfelt wishes for a year filled with success, joy, and new opportunities. As we welcome 2016, our office remains committed to providing exceptional legal services tailored to meet the diverse needs of immigrants. Our Services Include: Family-Based Immigration: Assisting families in reuniting through immigrant visas and green cards. Fiancé Visas: Guiding couples through the K-1 visa process to start their lives together. VAWA and Humanitarian Cases: Advocating for individuals seeking safety and protection under U.S. immigration law. Employment-Based Immigration: Helping professionals and employers secure work visas and employment-based green cards. Naturalization…Read More
Naturalization applicants seeking to become U.S. citizens but not eligible for a fee waiver are now able to use their credit card to pay the Immigration filing and biometric fee for their Form N-400, Application for Naturalization Specifically, which is a total of $680. This is a combination of the Immigration filing fee of $595 and the biometric service fee of $85. To pay using a credit card, Naturalization applicants are required to complete Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transaction, which is to be placed on top of the N-400 application for naturalization and mailed to U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services-USCIS.…Read More
The National Visa Center (NVC) has ceased collecting original civil documents in support of immigrant visa (IV) applications as of November 12, 2014. Applicants must submit photocopies of supporting documents (such as birth, marriage, and police certificates) and bring their original documents to their interviews for review at the designated US Embassy. This however, does not include the Affidavit of Support forms, which petitioners will still submit to NVC for initial evaluation. New Instructions to Applicants After applicants and petitioners collect the Affidavit of Support form(s), financial evidence, and supporting civil documents, they must submit all of the documents to…Read More
USCIS, today published additional frequently asked questions on immigration application based on same-sex marriages. This is a follow-up on its recent announcement of accepting and adjudicating same-sex Immigration applications in the same manner as opposite-sex couples in compliance with the recent supreme court decision declaring section 3 of DOMA unconstitutional. Below are the New Frequently Asked Questions published today. Q1: I am a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident in a same-sex marriage to a foreign national. Can I now sponsor my spouse for a family-based immigrant visa? A1: Yes, you can file the petition. You may file a Form I-130…Read More
DOMA Ruling and Same-Sex Marriage Benefits US Citizen and Lawful Permanent Resident same-sex couples married to foreign nationals are now eligible to file Immigration applications on behalf of their same-sex spouse after the recent Supreme Court decision holding that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional. Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act states: “The word ‘marriage’ means only a legal union between one man and one woman as spouses, and the word ‘spouse’ refers only to a person of another sex who is a partner.” Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano announced on July 1, 2013,…Read More
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on May 6th 2013, implemented a new program called Customer Identity Verification (CIV) in its field offices. USCIS will require individuals to submit fingerprints and photographs when they appear at local offices for interviews or to receive evidence of an immigration benefit, such as temporary travel documents, parole authorizations, and temporary green card stamps on passports or Forms I-94 to show evidence of lawful permanent resident status. USCIS staff will take two fingerprints and a photograph of the individual in order to re-verify their identity. Once individuals satisfactorily complete customer identity verification, they will…Read More
Today, the Senate introduced the long-awaited immigration bill: Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013. You can find the outline and highlights of the bill here. Today, the Senate introduced the much-anticipated immigration bill: The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013. This comprehensive legislation addresses key areas of immigration reform, including enhanced border security measures, pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, and modernized visa programs for workers and families. The bill proposes a merit-based immigration system aimed at supporting economic growth and innovation while ensuring fair opportunities for immigrants seeking to contribute to the U.S.…Read More
President Obama's Proposed Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill: According to the fact Sheet released by the white house on January 29th, 2013 titled “Fixing our Broken Immigration System so everyone plays by the Rules “AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 13012946, President Obama acknowledged that America’s immigration system is broken, and it is time to fix it in a way that requires responsibility and accountability from everyone. Below is a summary of the key principles President Obama proposed. He believes these should be included and covered in a common-sense immigration reform bill or legislation. Continuing to Strengthen Border Security According to the President's…Read More