Nelson A. Castillo The law requires most non-U.S. citizens to notify the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of address changes within 10 days of moving. It is the sole responsibility of the person applying for immigration benefits for himself or herself or his or her family that the USCIS ... Read more
The brother of well-known actress Sofia Vergara was deported to Colombia, his native country, due to his extensive criminal record. Julio Vergara, 34, was arrested more than 30 times over 10 years for marijuana and cocaine possession. In a recent interview, the actress shared that her brother has ... Read more
The Department of Justice yesterday filed a lawsuit to block implementation of Alabama's H.B. 56, claiming it violates the U.S. Constitution. The law, which is being challenged by the federal government, would take effect Sept. 1. H.B. 56 is considered the most restrictive of all ... Read more
Human trafficking or human smuggling is the illegal trade in persons for sexual or labor exploitation through prostitution or forced labor, involuntary servitude or any modern form of slavery. It is a serious problem with millions of victims around the world, thousands of them in the United States. In my column this week ... Read more
During a community forum on the Dream Act held at the Los Angeles City Community College, California Governor Jerry Brown today signed into law AB 130, which allows undocumented students to receive privately funded scholarships for their college education. Effective January 1, 2012, this law will allow undocumented students to receive private scholarships for ... Read more
Simon Banda-Mireles, a 50-year-old Mexican national, was sentenced to nearly 4 years in prison for employing undocumented aliens for commercial purposes. The man, who owned several restaurants in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia admitted to having between 25 to 100 undocumented employees working at his businesses between 2006 and 2008. Banda-Mireles, who ... Read more
A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by a group of people who were wrongly shortlisted in May of this year for the Diversity Visa Lottery Program. Judge Amy Berman's decision cleared the way for the State Department to publish the results of the second lottery held ... Read more
Last night, July 7, Humberto Leal Garcia (Leal), a 38-year-old Mexican national was executed in the state of Texas. The man had been convicted of the rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl in 1994. But there was a problem with Leal's execution. Texas authorities never informed Leal, a ... Read more
Of the nearly 12.5 million permanent residents living in the United States, nearly 8 million are eligible to apply for citizenship. Every eligible person should become a citizen because they will not only gain important benefits, but also political power by acquiring the right to vote. In my column this week in La Opinión, I explain the ... Read more
If you are the child of a person covered under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program you may be eligible for late initial registration if you were under 21 and unmarried during the initial registration period of the country of origin. The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) ... Read more
Find the best advice on immigration matters. Our team is ready to solve your doubts and facilitate your procedures.