contact us
07 May 2019

Serious Immigration Consequences for Marijuana, Despite State Law Changes

Legalization or decriminalization of marijuana at the state level can mislead noncitizens into thinking using marijuana in accordance with state law is legal. Marijuana, however, is a controlled substance under federal law. Therefore, the use, sale, purchase, or even the mere possession of marijuana, in...

14:43 / Employment Based / Family Based / For Families / For Individuals / NewsBrief / Resident / Student / Travel / Visitor / Worker
15 Apr 2019

I am a U.S. citizen, and I filed an I-130 for my parents. However, they do not yet wish to apply for green cards. In the meantime, are they allowed to visit me on their B-2 visas?

Answer Someone who is the beneficiary of a pending or approved I-130 petition likely will be subject to a higher degree of scrutiny and questioning by CBP if they try to enter the U.S. as a visitor. (15.Apr.2019)In frequent sessions of our Chat, Sheela Murthy and...

14:58 / Citizen / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / Resident / Travel / Visitor
11 Mar 2019

USCIS Revises Policy on Travel While AP is Pending

The policy regarding overseas travel, while an I-131 application for advance parole (AP) is pending, has been updated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Effective immediately, the USCIS will not deny a pending I-131 renewal based on overseas travel by the applicant, as...

09:24 / Employment Based / Family Based / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Travel / USCIS News / Worker
07 Mar 2019

Proposed Bill Would Remove Per-Country Limits – Still Far from Becoming Law

A proposed bill, introduced in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, would eliminate the per-country limits on employment-based (EB) immigrant visa categories, and lift the limit for family-based (FB) categories. If passed into law, it would transform the backlogs in the...

13:00 / Employment Based / Family Based / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / Legislation / NewsBrief / Resident / Worker
04 Mar 2019

I am a U.S. citizen and filed an I-130 petition for my mother, which was just approved. Can my mother come to the U.S. now on her B-1/B-2 visa, and then file her I-485?

Answer Generally speaking, no, this is not permitted. Entering the U.S in B-1/B-2 status with the preconceived intention to file for adjustment of status is considered to be fraudulent by the government. You may want to consult with an attorney to determine how best to proceed....

11:38 / Citizen / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / Immigrant Family / Resident
04 Feb 2019

I am a U.S. citizen. Is it possible to sponsor my fiancé from Nigeria even though we have never met in-person?

Answer Normally, to be eligible for a K-1 visa, the couple must have met physically within two years prior. There are exceptions in which this is impermissible culturally, but these cases generally are difficult to get approved by the USCIS. (04.Feb.2019)In frequent sessions of our Chat,...

08:51 / Citizen / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / Resident