In 2012 under the Obama administration, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was created to assist some individuals with unlawful presence in the United States after being brought to the country as children. DACA allows these individuals to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and obtain work authorization. This program …
On August 14, 2019, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a division of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), published new rules which expand the current definition of public charge. This impacted thousands of immigrants who wish to obtain lawful permanent residency in the United States (a green card) or to extend their …
On March 7, 2020, President Trump declared a national emergency regarding the spread of Covid-19 in America. The spread of the virus has had a big impact on the nation’s education system. This school year’s abrupt halt with in-person learning due to the Covid-19 pandemic has left many international students pondering what to do concerning …
Continue reading “Non-immigrant Student Visa Holders Face Roadblocks Under Trump Administration”
This year’s presidential election has one more significant stake – the fate of DACA recipients, otherwise known as “Dreamers.” The Supreme Court on June 17, 2020, rejected Donald Trump’s attempt to end the DACA program, handing a major victory to about 700,000 immigrants — most of whom entered the U.S. illegally as children more than …
Continue reading “DACA Stays – Dreamers’ Dreams Come True…At Least For Now”
In October 2000, Congress created T nonimmigrant status (often referred to as the “T Visa”) to fight against human trafficking and to provide immigration relief for those who are trafficked into the United States. T nonimmigrant status is a temporary immigration visa that allows certain victims of an extreme form of human trafficking to remain …
Continue reading “Victims of Human Trafficking May Qualify for Green Cards”
A naturalization oath ceremony is a highly emotional event. It marks for many, a point in life where the road to U.S. citizenship has finally come to a close. A common misconception is that once a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) naturalizes, that this individual is longer subject to any risk of losing their …
It is Thursday, March 26, 2020, and tomorrow will mark two weeks that the office of Michael G. Murray, P.A. has operated remotely, serving our immigration clients from the safety of our homes. COVID-19 has affected immigrants in countless ways that remain to be fully realized. I am writing because I have recently replied to …
Continue reading “COVID-19 in the Context of Immigration Benefits”
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) has immigration provisions to protect non-resident victims of domestic violence. Though other provisions of VAWA expired in 2018, the immigration provisions do not require congressional reauthorization, and therefore remain in effect. This means that non-citizens and non-residents are still entitled to legal protection in the immigration process. If you …
Continue reading “How long does it take for a VAWA Abused Spouse Petition to be Approved?”
Update on VAWA Reauthorization for Abused Spouses Domestic violence is a serious problem for any family, but it is especially devastating for immigrant families. An abuser who holds legal immigration status (either as a citizen or permanent resident) can use this to control a spouse, child, or other family member who does not. The abuser …
Facing removal proceedings can be a frightening prospect for non-citizens, as you may be ordered to leave your life in the United States for many years. If you are in a serious romantic relationship with a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, you may fear that you will have to leave them if you are …
Continue reading “The Bona Fide Marriage Exemption to Removal Proceedings”