The BIA overruled Matter of Arrabally and Yerrabelly, holding that departure from the United States pursuant to a grant of advance parole is a “departure” within the meaning of INA §212(a)(9)(B)(i)(II). The BIA determined that this holding applies prospectively and comports with the natural meaning of “departure,” as well as the government’s longstanding interpretation of the […]
The New York Times has reported that ICE has begun arresting foreign born people with an expired visa to the U.S. at airports, even if they have already filed for a change of status and/or are married to US citizens! Having your receipt with you when you apply for a change of status may not […]
On July 2, 2026, in Sosnava Rodriguez v. Ortega, No. 26-50183, slip op. at 1 (5th Cir. July 2, 2026) the U.S. Court of appeals for the 5th circuit determined that the U.S. Government may not detain persons without an individualized hearing or accessing certain opportunities for release from detention. Previously the government appeared to […]
On June 23, 2026, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that CBP does not need evidence rising to the typical standard for a criminal trial that an LPR must have committed a crime involving moral turpitude in order for CBP to decide that that person is an ‘applicant for admission’ and possibly denying […]
On June 23 of 2026, Federal Judge P. Casey Pitts banned a recent ICE practice: there can be no more arrests of participants at immigration courts nationwide. See Pablo Sequen v. Kaiser, No. 5:25-cv-06487-PCP (N.D. Cal.). “. . . ICE and EOIR failed to provide reasoned explanations for their actions, the Court concludes that each […]
For 73 years, since 1952, spouses of U.S. citizens have been able to adjust their immigration status within the United States if a) they were an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen, b)an immigrant visa is immediately available to them, and c) they had originally entered the United States legally with inspection (usually a visitor’s […]
People with a legal permanent residency (green card) can do a lot. By law, they can travel outside the United States, work, or even start a business. But there are a few things that they cannot do. If you are not a U.S. Citizen, you must not: Vote in federal elections; Serve on a jury; […]
If you adjusted your status because you are married, you received a green card that was good for only 24 months. A standard green card is good for 10 years. Why did we get you the limited one? Because we had no choice. The temporary green card, good for just twenty-four (24) months, is what […]
Earlier this year, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced an indefinite pause on the adjudication of immigration benefit requests for individuals from thirty-nine African, Asian, Latin American, and Middle Eastern countries. This announcement was mandated by Executive Order No. 14161, issued January 20 2025. A further group of nations was added to […]
When you get your ‘green card’, it will probably have an expiration date on it. What does that mean to you? EVERYTHING!! After that date, you will be out of status and can be legally removed from the United States! On the other hand, our USCIS is routinely taking up to 48 months to adjudicate […]