Can a person with TPS obtain permanent residency?

TPS stands for Temporary Protected Status. As the name implies, it is temporary. And although the U.S. government has authorized the extension of TPS to immigrants from various countries for many years, it does not guarantee permanent residency to the person covered by the program.... Read more

Fees increased for some immigration procedures

New fees for processing immigrant and non-immigrant visas and other consular services are now in effect. Fees for several immigration procedures have increased, while others have been lowered. The U.S. Department of State announced that the increase is necessary to cover the costs associated with processing consular services. ... Read more

President Obama reaffirms pledge of action to fix immigration system

Faced with Congress' inability to pass an immigration reform bill, President Barack Obama yesterday reaffirmed his intention to take executive action to fix the immigration system, including giving relief to millions of undocumented immigrants in the United States. The President assured that he will take action after the November 4 congressional elections ... Read more

Can you obtain a tourist visa while waiting for residency?

In this week's Consulta Migratoria® column I answer a reader's question. Each case is different and the answers vary depending on each person's immigration history. Here I provide a general answer to your questions. Please consult with an immigration attorney to receive personalized legal advice before beginning any process. ... Read more

Deportations increase to more than 438 thousand in 2013

The number of deportations carried out by President Barack Obama's administration continues to increase, reaching a historically high level. In fiscal year 2013, 20,000 more people were deported than in fiscal year 2012 and 51,000 more than in fiscal year 2011. In total, 438,421 people were deported during the ... Read more

Registration opens for FY 2016 visa lottery

Today, October 1, is the new deadline to apply for the Diversity Visa Program. Better known as the "visa lottery," the program allows qualified immigrants to obtain permanent residency in the United States. Individuals interested in participating in the lottery have only 30 days to do so. The period of ... Read more

Who qualifies for an immigration waiver?

Those who have ever filed an immigration application know that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) usually charges fees to complete them. The costs vary depending on the form and the process, but can be a heavy burden for low-income immigrants. However, under ... Read more

Can an undocumented person with a criminal record obtain permanent residency?

In order to be granted permanent residency, U.S. immigration law imposes a number of requirements, including having to be admissible to the country. Having a criminal record could negatively affect an immigrant who is applying for permanent residency. But a lot depends on what type of record the immigrant has... Read more

Who qualifies for the new visa lottery?

In my Consulta Migratoria® column this week I explain the visa lottery program and who is eligible to apply. Here is the column: The U.S. Department of State announced that next Wednesday, October 1, is the new deadline to register for the diversity visa program, popularly known as the "Diversity Visa Lottery Program. Read more

What family members can a permanent resident petition for?

I often receive questions from readers. Generally, I try to answer them through Inmigración Hoy or my Consulta Migratoria® column. One of the most frequently asked questions is how to petition for a relative. This question depends on several factors, including the legal status of the person who wants to petition. In ... Read more

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