New green card processing fee

Effective February 1, 2013, USCIS will charge a new fee of $$165 for processing permanent resident visas filed abroad. According to USCIS, the new "immigrant fee" is to recoup the costs of processing immigrant visas after ... Read more

Court ruling could benefit children of legal residents

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals today ruled that federal immigration law gives priority to children of legal residents who became adults while waiting years for a visa. This ruling is not final, but if affirmed, it could change the situation for thousands of children of legal residents. For years, the ... Read more

Can it affect a false declaration of citizenship?

This week in my La Opinión column, I answer questions from readers who have doubts about acquiring permanent residency in the United States. The government rejected my application for permanent residency because I passed myself off as a U.S. citizen in the past. My wife and two children are U.S. citizens. I have never had any problems ... Read more

Readers ask about law of punishment and deferred action

In my column in this week's La Opinión I answer several questions from readers about the proposed changes to the punishment law and the deferred action program for undocumented youth. Here I provide general answers to your questions. Each case is different, so you should consult with an attorney to receive advice ... Read more

Readers ask about punishment law

Questions continue to be asked about the proposed change to the penalty law. Unfortunately, the USCIS proposal has not yet been approved. As soon as a decision is made, I will be updating you. In my La Opinión column this week I answer several questions from readers, including two about the punishment law. Here I answer from ... Read more

Can you obtain a work permit while waiting for an immigrant visa?

This week in my column in La Opinión I answer questions from readers. Remember that I respond in a general way to your doubts. Each case is different, so you should consult an attorney for personalized legal advice. I am a permanent resident and I was arrested in the past, can I apply for U.S. citizenship? - Ingrid R. ... Read more

How to protect and maintain U.S. permanent residency 2

If you have obtained your permanent residency in the United States, you should know that it is your responsibility to comply with certain requirements to protect and maintain it in force. In my column this week in La Opinión, I explain what you must do to safeguard this valuable benefit and not harm your status as a permanent resident in this country. The ... Read more

Doubts remain about provisional pardon to the law of punishment

The new proposal by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that would establish a provisional waiver of the punishment law continues to generate many questions. In my column this week I continue to answer some of them. Please don't trust anyone who tells you that this is already a done deal. It is still a proposal. ... Read more

Those who would not qualify for provisional pardon under the law of retribution

The new proposal by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that would establish a provisional waiver of the punishment law has generated many questions from readers. This week in my column in La Opinión I answer some of them. Here I provide a general answer to your questions. Each case is different, so you should consult ... Read more

Thousands of people would not be eligible for modification of the "punishment law".

In my column this week in La Opinión, I explain who would NOT be eligible to take advantage of USCIS's new proposal to modify the process for applying for a "punishment law" waiver: Now that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has finally released its proposal to modify the process for applying for a "punishment law" waiver, the USCIS is ... Read more

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