How to apply for permanent residency after receiving a U visa

In my previous "Immigration Consultation" column in La Opinión, I explained that the U visa is part of a humanitarian program of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and is granted to victims of certain crimes who are willing to cooperate with authorities in the investigation or prosecution of the crimes.... Read more

U visas for fiscal year 2011 sold out

For the second consecutive year, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approved 10,000 petitions for the U visa. This means that they have reached the maximum number they can issue for this fiscal year. In 2011, nearly 14,000 people applied for the 10,000 available slots. The program was created by Congress ... Read more

What is it and who can receive a U visa?

There is a lot of confusion about the U visa. This visa offers protection to immigrants who are victims of crime. But there are restrictions on who is eligible to receive it. This week in "Consulta Migratoria", my column in La Opinión, I explain how the U visa works, who is eligible and for how long it is granted.

How to change your address with USCIS and other government offices

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

Judge Rejects Lawsuit; New Visa Lottery Results Announced

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

How to become a U.S. citizen

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

Changes announced that could benefit children of TPS beneficiaries

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

USCIS launches campaign against scams and "notarios públicos".

Federal, state and local authorities today announced the launch of a campaign to combat scams by notarios and immigration consultants targeting immigrants seeking legal help to fix their papers. The initiative, "The Wrong Help Can Hurt You - Avoid Immigration Scams," is spearheaded by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The goal ... Read more

There are fee exemptions for immigration procedures.

Most immigration procedures require the payment of fees to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) - whether for renewing a permanent resident card, obtaining a work permit, or registering for the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program, among other things, or for the ... Read more

Government launches campaign to promote the importance of citizenship

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the launch of a federal initiative to educate and raise public awareness about the rights, responsibilities and importance of U.S. citizenship. The educational campaign will use print and digital media in Spanish and radio in a variety of languages to raise public awareness of the ... Read more

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