We are pleased to announce another win at our firm! We secured a 10-year green card for a client under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), based on their relationship with their U.S. citizen child.  Our team is overjoyed to celebrate yet another win for another one of our deserving clients!   In this situation,…

    The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides protections for immigrants facing abuse. A common question is whether you must remain married to your abusive spouse to qualify for VAWA. The answer is no; you do not have to stay married to your abuser to qualify for VAWA.   VAWA allows you to self-petition…

When it comes to things to say or not say during an immigration interview, there are definitely a few things to keep in mind.    First, do not lie. USCIS officers have access to numerous sources of information, particularly when it comes to the foreign spouse’s immigration history. It is best to lead with the…

    The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides essential protection for individuals facing problems in their marriage. It allows eligible spouses of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents to self-petition for legal status in the United States. One common concern among applicants is the potential impact their VAWA case may have on their spouse,…

We are thrilled to celebrate the recent green card approval for one of the firm’s clients.  The application was approved in only 4 months from the date of submission! Satisfied with the documents submitted, USCIS chose to waive the adjustment of status interview and approve the green card.  Of note, the average processing time for…

  The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced a significant initiative aimed at fostering family unity within the immigration system.     Currently, noncitizens who have entered the U.S. illegally and are married to U.S. citizens can apply for lawful permanent residence. In order to complete their process and receive a green card, they must…

By Pratibha Agarwal, Managing Attorney   We’re here; half the year has passed. I am using it as an opportunity to reflect on the firm’s successes, the people we have touched, and the lives we have changed. I am focusing on the small part we have in making the world a place full of opportunity…

    Applying for relief under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) can be challenging, especially if you feel you lack sufficient evidence to support your case. However, it’s important to know that VAWA protections cover various forms of abuse, and there are multiple ways to substantiate your claims, even if concrete evidence seems limited.…

Effective May 22, 2024, USCIS has updated its guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding family-based immigrant visa petitions. This update affects Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, and in limited situations, family-based Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant. The revisions include new procedures for correcting approval notice errors, processing requests for…

  The family-based green card process starts by filing Form I-130.  U.S. citizens and green card holders can sponsor their family members.  U.S. citizens may sponsor parents, siblings, married and unmarried children, and their spouse.  Green card holders can sponsor their spouse and unmarried children.   You may be able to file your form I-485 (adjustment…