Become a U.S. citizen if you qualify

In my most recent Immigration Consultation column, I explain why permanent residents of the United States should apply for citizenship if they are eligible: Here is the column: Nearly 9 of the more than 13 million permanent residents currently living in the United States are eligible to become citizens. That's a significant number of people ... Read more

More than 430,000 deferred action cases approved in first year

Today marks the one-year anniversary since the federal government began accepting applications for the deferred action program for undocumented youth who came to the United States as children. Thanks to President Obama and his administration, the lives of more than 430,000 individuals and their families have taken a positive turn in ... Read more

13.3 million permanent residents live in the U.S.

An estimated 13.3 million permanent residents have been living in the United States since January 1, 2012, according to a report released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The report indicates that most of these individuals obtained their permanent residency after 2000 and that approximately 8.8 million of them ... Read more

Is it possible to claim an abandoned visa?

This week in my Consulta Migratoria column, I answer questions from readers. Each case is different and the answers vary depending on the immigration history of each person. Here I provide general answers to your questions. Please consult with an immigration attorney to receive personalized legal advice before beginning any process. My Dominican father asked me to ... Read more

Judge orders imposter to return $100,000 to victims of immigration scam

A San Diego judge ordered Bemilda "Linda" Asuncion Ruiz, a scammer posing as an immigration attorney, to return $100,000 to 20 victims she defrauded between 2010 and 2012. This is not the first time the imposter scammed undocumented immigrants, making them believe she could resolve their immigration cases. Adding ... Read more

How long do visas for family petitions take?

This week in my Consulta Migratoria column, I answer questions from readers. Each case is different and the answers vary depending on the immigration history of each person. Here I provide general answers to your questions. Please consult with an immigration attorney to receive personalized legal advice before starting any process. I am Salvadoran and I sent ... Read more

TPS re-registration deadline for Salvadorans expires today

There are only hours left for eligible Salvadorans to re-register for the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program. If you have not yet done so, I urge you to take advantage of these last hours to complete the process. It is very important that you do not miss this opportunity to remain under a status that will allow you to live and work legally in the United States and ... Read more

Why it is important to re-register for TPS

This week in my Consulta Migratoria column, I explain why eligible Salvadorans should re-register for the Temporary Protected Status program. This is the column: With less than a week to go before the deadline to re-register for the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for Salvadorans, almost half of the eligible individuals have not yet ... Read more

Sign up for DACA if you are eligible

This week in my Immigration Consultation column, I explain why eligible undocumented youth should enroll in the deferred action program. Here is the column: More than 400,000 undocumented youth have obtained the benefit of deferred action and temporary protection from deportation since the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) ... Read more

Former New York police officer defrauded immigrants

A former NYPD officer duped a group of immigrants by promising to get them valid driver's licenses and help them with asylum and withholding of removal applications, bilking them out of nearly $$14,000. Miguel A. Rodriguez, 53, pleaded guilty to defrauding ... Read more

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