Applications for immigrant visas will be done electronically

Effective Tuesday, September 3, 2013, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) will complete the transition to an electronic system for receiving immigrant visa applications. Currently, certain immigrant visa applicants in some countries, including any U.S. embassy or consulate in ... Read more

How to apply for a fee waiver for immigration procedures

This week in my Consulta Migratoria® column, I explain how certain people can apply for a fee waiver when doing their immigration paperwork: Here is the column:Most immigration paperwork requires payment of fees to the government. To apply for U.S. citizenship, renew your green card, or obtain a work permit, among ... 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

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

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

USCIS approved nearly 401,000 deferred action cases

More than 557,412 applications for consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) have been submitted since U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) opened the deadline to initiate the process on August 15, 2012. According to figures provided by the USCIS, this government agency has received ... Read more

Can the law of punishment be forgiven again if it was previously denied?

This week in my Consulta Migratoria column, I answer readers' questions. 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 Ecuadorian. In the ... Read more

What is the Senate's immigration reform legalization program?

Yesterday, I reported that the U.S. Senate passed a comprehensive immigration reform bill entitled the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act (S. 744). (Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act" (S. 744). The document consists of approximately 1,200 pages and it is important to emphasize that at this time it is ... Read more

Senate approves comprehensive immigration reform bill

By a vote of 68-32, the U.S. Senate today passed the comprehensive immigration reform bill entitled the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act (S. 744). (Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act" (S. 744). Now, the debate on comprehensive immigration reform moves to the House of Representatives ... Read more

How obtaining residency or citizenship could affect whether it is "public charge".

This week in my Immigration Consultation column, I explain why applying for public benefits could affect people who want to obtain residency or citizenship. Here is the column: Receiving public assistance may affect your ability to obtain U.S. residency or citizenship. If the government considers you a "public charge," you may be inadmissible for immigration benefits. Here are ... Read more

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