Award-winning, New York Immigration Lawyer - U.S. Immigration Law, Legal Services
I heard that there was a recent change to how the Government will schedule asylum interviews. Can you tell me more about that? Applying for asylum has always been a difficult and complicated process, one in which an experienced asylum lawyer is essential. This is truer than ever, especially with recent changes in asylum procedures that kwere announced by the Administration at the end January, 2018. Basically, the changes can be … [Read more...] about Changes to Asylum Procedure
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is at the top of the news headlines again. What is going on, and where do we go from here? On September 5, 2017, the executive branch announced that DACA would be brought to an end. In addition, it was announced that only a very small number of renewal applications would be accepted, namely from those DACA recipients whose DACA status would be expiring between September 5, 2017 and March 5, … [Read more...] about DACA, What Now?
Everyone’s favorite time of year is right around the corner. No, I am not talking about Valentine’s Day or Spring Break…I am talking about H-1B cap season. It seems like only yesterday we were filing a batch of H-1B cap cases. This is particularly true since we are still dealing with the fallout of the increased scrutiny experienced by H-1B cap case applicants and their employers under President Trump’s Buy America, Hire America … [Read more...] about H-1B Lessons for 2018
The below provides an overview of the timeline and various stages associated with the immigrant visa process when pursuing an immigrant visa (green card) based on marriage to a US citizen. This green card route is a bit different than the green card marriage adjustment of status route undertaken in the US. There are three stages to this process and three separate governmental entities that play a role in the adjudication of this … [Read more...] about Green Card Through Marriage Timeline (Via Immigrant Visa)
Someone in my family has been detained by Immigration, what can I do to help? Should we contact an Immigration Lawyer? "How did this happen?" This is what you're probably thinking. Sometimes people who are not US citizens are arrested for crimes, and then when they are done with their jail sentence, they are handed over the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Also, some non-citizens have prior orders of deportation / removal, and … [Read more...] about Finding an Immigration Bond Lawyer
In many countries in the world, Christians face brutal persecution by their governments, because of their religion. We at Lightman Law Firm are committed to helping those who are fleeing religious persecution, who want to live safely in the United States, and practice their faith. Did you know that there anti-Christian laws on every continent in the world? Some would argue that Christians are the most persecuted group in the world. And … [Read more...] about Christian Asylum Immigration Lawyer
I am here in the United States, but I am afraid to return to my country of origin. What can I do? Non-citizens who are physically present in the United States and are afraid to return to their country of origin can apply for asylum in the United States. Asylum is a form of protection that the government gives to foreign nationals. The laws pertaining to asylum are very complex and you should definitely hire a licensed and experienced … [Read more...] about Asylum: Immigration Lawyer with Experience
On September 5, 2017, the administration announced that it will be ending DACA. Hundreds of thousands of young people will be losing that protection from deportation. Q: I am a DACA recipient, what do I do now? If you are a DACA recipient, it is essential that you put yourself in contact with an experienced immigration lawyer to have a discussion about what your options may be. The DACA program meant that you came forward to the … [Read more...] about DACA is Ending, Now What?
Have you seen the movie "Green Card" with Gerard Depardieu and Andie MacDowell? Well...you basically know what a "Stokes" interview is. But Hollywood is rarely an exact reflection of real life. If USCIS suspects that the marriage is not valid, they can subject the couple to a higher level of scrutiny. Also, if a non-citizen is in removal proceedings (meaning the Government is seeking to remove them and they are appearing before an … [Read more...] about Stokes Interview
You, the intending immigrant, have filed your green card through marriage application in the United States via the adjustment of status process. Congrats! Now what? Now, unfortunately, it’s a long waiting game with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Below is the general and most common timeline for what to expect as part of this process, if there are no complications or delays with your case. Some common delays can … [Read more...] about Green Card Through Marriage Timeline (Via Status Adjustment)