My wife is filing with an I-130 do I have to leave the country to get my green card – Immigration – Avvo.com http://ping.fm/w8QXK
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Can an illegal immigrant become legal by marrying an us citizen ? – Immigration – Avvo.com http://ping.fm/8SaSE
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Green card-U.S. citizenship when asking for divorce can this stop his process to become US citizenship? – Immigration – Avvo.com http://ping.fm/uMpTM
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Question: I am trying to follow the updates since the Immigration and Naturalization Services ceased to exist. However, I am having a very difficult time understanding all the new departments. Can you please explain?
Answer: Yes, on March 1, the INS ceased to exist. All of the agency’s immigration functions were divided and transferred into three bureaus within the Department of Homeland Security. The transition affects everything from bringing in international employees for business meetings, to the processing of pending cases that were sent to the INS, to the work authorization and visa documentation foreign nationals currently hold.
Question: Can you explain what these new departments are within the Department of Homeland Security?
Answer: The three bureaus (the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS), the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (BICE), and the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP)) are now responsible for all the immigration services and enforcement functions. This does not include the Immigration Court.
Question: What does the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services do?
Answer: The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) is responsible for immigration services and benefits including: the adjudication of family- and employment-based petitions; issuance of employment authorization documents; asylum and refugee processing; naturalization; and implementation of special status programs such as Temporary Protected Status. At least during the transition phase, the bureau’s structure and functions will remain fairly similar to the old INS. The former INS District Offices (newly titled local BCIS offices); Application Support Centers (ASC), Service Centers and Asylum offices will remain open and in the same locations for this transition period.
This bureau will continue to process pending applications previously filed with the INS, and will maintain the validity of documentation issued by the former INS, such as: green cards, certificates of citizenship, employment authorization documents, travel and advance parole documents, Form I-94 Arrival and Departure Records, and others.
Question: What does the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement do?
Answer: The BICE handles the investigative and interior enforcement functions of the former INS, U.S. Customs Service, and the Federal Protective Services. The bureau is responsible for the detention and removal of criminal aliens, dismantling smuggling operations or trafficking of aliens, building partnerships to solve local problems, minimizing immigration benefit and document fraud, and conducting INS raids.
The bureau consists of approximately 14,000 employees, and is headed by an Assistant Secretary, who reports directly to the Undersecretary for Border and Transportation Security.
Question: Finally, what are the functions of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection?
Answer: The BCBP is responsible for the Border Patrol, immigration investigations, and the inspections process at the borders. Prior to March 1, the ports of entry were supervised by several distinct chains of command and inspections personnel for the U.S. Customs, INS and other federal agencies. As of March 1, BCBP became the sole governmental presence along the border and at the ports of entry. The new bureau fused the old agencies’ chains of command at each port of entry into one common chain and put all inspectors under a single port director. The bureau also put the former INS enforcement personnel at the border in a supervisory position above former INS investigators. This is the first time that the immigration investigations functions are subordinate to enforcement. However, it still remains unclear how this change will affect admissions to the U.S. The bureau consists of 30,000 employees.
https://brian-d-lerner-blog.com/tag/employment-compliance-inspection-center-ecic-in-crystal-city-va-2/
Filed under: Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration, Immigration Law, immigration provisions, USCIS | Tagged: DHS, USCIS | Leave a comment »
Question: I understand that there are usually a lot of immigration laws that pass and either help or hurt immigrants. Now that we are in 2003, can you give a summary of some of the highlights of immigration regulations which were considered or passed in 2002?
ANSWER: The regulations issued during the 107th Congressional session have an immediate effect on foreign workers’ ability to obtain visas, enter, and remain in the United States in valid status. Human resources personnel should therefore expect to receive numerous questions about the scope of these new rules. The following is a brief overview of some of the more important immigration-related and business immigration-related regulations the INS and other agencies issued during the past year:
The Department of State raised Fees for Nonimmigrant Visa Processing: The State Department raised the machine-readable visa (MRV) fee charged for the processing of a nonimmigrant visa, or a combined nonimmigrant visa and border crossing card application, from $65 to $100, effective November 1.
Special Registration: The INS, on August 12, finalized a rule that requires certain nonimmigrants to undergo various registration processes, and imposes sanctions on those who do not follow the processes. Four groups so far have been ordered to Special Register.
Change of Address Notification: A July 26 INS proposed rule would require every applicant for immigration benefits to acknowledge having received notice that he or she is required to provide a valid current address to the Service, including any change of address, within 10 days of the change. In absentia removal orders could flow from failure to so provide.
Concurrent Filing: A July 31 INS interim rule provides that an Immigrant Petition for an Alien Worker (Form I-140) and an Adjustment of Status application (Form I-485) may now be filed concurrently when a visa number is immediately available. In addition, eligible individuals with I-140 petitions pending on July 31 may now file the I-485 and associated forms. The rule took effect upon publication.
Proposed PERM Rule on Labor Certification for Permanent Employment: The DOL, on May 6, published the proposed ‘PERM’ rule that would amend the agency’s regulations governing the filing and processing of labor certification applications for permanent employment in the U.S. The rule would also amend the regulations governing an employer’s wage obligation under the H-1B program. The final PERM rule is expected to be published in April 2003 and to take effect in July.
Foreign Health Care Workers: An October 11 INS proposed rule would implement a process for the certification of certain foreign health care workers, and would add a requirement that all nonimmigrants coming to the U.S. to work as health care workers, including those seeking change of status, be required to submit a certification. This rule is not yet in effect.
B-2 Visitors Visa: An April 12 INS proposed rule would eliminate the minimum admission period for B-2 nonimmigrant visitors, reduce the maximum admission period for B-1 and B-2 visitors, and restrict B visitors’ ability to extend stay or change to student status. This rule is not yet in effect.
Adjustment of Status under LIFE: The INS issued a final rule on June 4, implementing the adjustment of status application procedures under the LIFE Act’s ‘late legalization’ provisions. The rule extends the filing deadline to June 4, 2003, and makes various other changes based on comments received to the interim rule.
S Nonimmigrant Visa: The State Department, on November 4, finalized a rule implementing the ‘S’ nonimmigrant visa program. The S visa category is available to nonimmigrants determined by the Attorney General to have critical and reliable information concerning a criminal organization or enterprise.
Passenger Manifest Requirements: On January 3, 2003, the INS issued a proposed rule requiring all commercial carriers to submit a detailed passenger manifest electronically before either departing from or arriving in the United States. The information required for each passenger includes: complete name, date of birth, citizenship, sex, passport number and country of issuance, country of residence, U.S. visa information, address while in the U.S; and other necessary information. The rule took affect January 1, 2003.
Border Crossing Cards: The INS promulgated an interim rule that establishes procedures to terminate the use of current non-biometric border crossing cards (BCCs), eliminates certain former versions of BCCs, and clarifies the validity period of waivers of inadmissibility. The rule took effect retroactive to October 1.
State and Local Law Enforcement of Civil Violations of Immigration Law: The Justice Department, on July 24, finalized a rule permitting the Attorney General to authorize any state or local law enforcement officer, with the consent of those whose jurisdiction the individual is serving, to perform certain functions related to the enforcement of the immigration laws during the period of a declared “mass influx of aliens.”
As you can see there are lots of changes in the law. Hopefully, the new laws coming will have a positive impact on immigrants.
Filed under: Immigration | Tagged: Immigration, Immigration Attorney, Immigration Laws, Immigration Lawyer | Leave a comment »
Question: I know that Congress has a ‘lame-duck’ session now. I was wondering if there were any new and recent developments in the immigration laws.
Answer: There has actually been quite a bit that has been recently signed into law by President Bush. Here is the summary of those recent laws.
On November 2, President Bush signed into law the “21st Century Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act.” It includes the following.
Waiver of Foreign Country Residence Requirement with Respect International Medical Graduates. Extends until 2004 the “Conrad State 20” program, which allows states to request waivers of the two-year home residence requirement of INA § 212(e) for certain J–1 physicians who agree to work in medically underserved areas for a period of at least three years, and raises the number of visas available per state from 20 to 30.
Posthumous Citizenship for Non-Citizen Veterans.: Extends the deadline for allowing family members to apply for honorary posthumous citizenship for noncitizen veterans who died while honorably serving the U.S. in past wars.
Extension of H-1B Status for Aliens with Lengthy Adjudications.: Recognizing that lengthy processing times by the Department of Labor have precluded some H-1B visa holders from being eligible to apply for a one-year extension of H status pursuant to the American Competitiveness in the 21st Century Act of 2000, this provision is intended to permit aliens who have labor certification applications caught in lengthy agency backlogs to extend status beyond the six-year limitation. As long as 365 days have elapsed since the filing of a labor certification application (that is filed on behalf of or used by the alien) or an immigrant visa petition, H-1B status can be extended in one-year increments. This will be true even if the alien has since changed his or her status or left the country. If an application for a labor certification or adjustment of status or a petition for an immigrant visa petition is denied, the extended H-1B status ends at that point.
Application for Naturalization by Alternative Applicant if Citizen Parent Has Died: Amends the INA to authorize a child’s grandparents or legal guardian to submit an application for naturalization on behalf of the child under section 322 of the INA where the child’s parent, who otherwise would be authorized to submit the petition, died during the preceding five years.
Also on November 2, the President signed the “Border Student Commuter Act of 2002”. The new law amends INA §§ 101(a)(15)(F) and (M) by creating a new border commuter nonimmigrant classification under the F and M visa categories for Canadian and Mexican nationals who maintain residence in their country of nationality and commute to the U.S. for full- or part-time academic or vocational studies. The legislation was triggered by a May 22, 2002, INS proclamation that commuter students residing in contiguous territory would no longer be allowed to enter the U.S. as visitors to attend school on a part-time basis.
President Bush, on October 29, signed the “Persian Gulf POW/MIA War Accountability Act” to provide refugee status to any alien (and his or her spouse or child) who: (1) is a national of Iraq or a nation of the Greater Middle East Region; and (2) personally delivers into the custody of the U.S. government a living American Persian Gulf War prisoner of war or individual missing in action. Excepted from the Act’s benefits are persons who are ineligible for asylum (including terrorists, persecutors, certain criminals, and individuals presenting a danger to the security of the U.S.).
On September 30, President Bush signed the “Foreign Relations Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003” (H.R. 1646, Pub. L. No. 107–228). The Act contains numerous immigration-related provisions, including authorization for $4.97 billion in appropriations for the administration of foreign affairs in fiscal year 2003.
Filed under: Immigration, Immigration Law, immigration provisions, J-1, USCIS | Tagged: Immigration Laws, J-1 | 1 Comment »
Question: I am a Lawful Permanent Resident and have been convicted of a drug crime of possession. I have heard that there is no chance to win in Immigration Court. Is this true?
Answer: Since 1996, the list of crimes constituting aggravated felonies was increased tenfold. Since that time, there have been numerous Petitions for Review filed in Circuit Courts of Appeal to determine which crimes actually fall under the ambit of an aggravated felony.
One such crime deals with convictions for drugs. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act Section 101(a)(43), a ‘drug trafficking’ crime is considered to be an aggravated felony. Thus, the critical point is what is considered to be a drug trafficking crime. The case Cazarez-Gutierrez v. Ashcroft has ruled on what they consider to be a drug trafficking crime.
Petitioner Jesus Aaron Cazarez-Gutierrez (“Cazarez-Gutierrez”) appealed the decision of the Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”) finding him statutorily ineligible for cancellation of removal because he was convicted of the “aggravated felony” of a “drug trafficking crime.” Id. People who have their ‘Green Cards’ and are long time lawful permanent residents in the U.S. are generally eligible for what is known as cancellation of removal. This is where the immigration judge essentially decides whether all of the resident’s equities outweigh the crime.
A lawful permanent resident is eligible for discretionary cancellation of removal if he: (1) has been lawfully admitted for permanent residence for not less than five years; (2) has resided in the United States continuously for seven years after having been admitted in any status; and (3) has not been convicted of any aggravated felony. 8 U.S.C. § 1229b(a). If cancellation of removal is granted, then the resident is given his or her ‘Green Card’ back and allowed to stay in the United States.
However, if one has been convicted of an aggravated felony, they are not eligible for Cancellation of Removal. Thus, in Gutierrez, supra, the immigration court and the BIA ruled that he was ineligible for cancellation of removal because he was convicted of an aggravated felony.
The first two elements of eligibility for cancellation of removal are not at issue. This case turns upon whether Cazarez-Gutierrez’s state-court felony conviction for possession of methamphetamine is an aggravated felony for immigration purposes.
In January 1999, an Immigration Judge (“IJ”) found Cazarez-Gutierrez removable because of his conviction, but exercised his discretion to grant him cancellation of removal. The government appealed the decision, arguing that the IJ had abused his discretion in granting Cazarez-Gutierrez cancellation of removal. On August 30, 2002, the BIA reversed the cancellation of removal, holding that Cazarez-Gutierrez is statutorily ineligible for cancellation of removal because his conviction for possession of methamphetamine is an “aggravated felony”.
The court went into some analysis of how other circuits have ruled. It stated that Congress had passed these laws in order to try to give some uniformity to the immigration laws. Therefore, this court ruled that a state drug offense is an aggravated felony for immigration purposes only if it would be punishable as a felony under federal drug laws or the crime contains a trafficking element. It followed the general reasoning of the Second and Third Circuit Courts of Appeal and rejected the contrary view put forth in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal. Given the strong desirability of uniformity in the application of immigration law, the court ruled that it should interpret immigration law to be nationally uniform absent clear indication that Congress intended otherwise.
In analyzing the intent of Congress to make the laws uniform in this type of case, the court referred to the development of the definitions of “aggravated felony” and “drug trafficking crime” in the INA and how it showed that Congress intended a federal definition for those terms.
In summary, the court held that a state drug offense is not an aggravated felony for immigration purposes unless it is punishable as a felony under the CSA or other federal drug laws named in the definition of “drug trafficking crime,” or is a crime involving a trafficking element. Cazarez-Gutierrez’s offense, possession of methamphetamine, was not punishable as a felony under federal law and involves no trafficking element. Therefore, his offense is not an aggravated felony for immigration purposes, and the BIA erred in finding Cazarez-Gutierrez statutorily ineligible for cancellation of removal.
Thus, you should apply for and be eligible for cancellation of removal in order to keep your Lawful Permanent Resident Status.
Filed under: Aggravated Felonies, Immigration, Immigration Law, immigration provisions, USCIS | Tagged: Aggravated Felonies, Drug Trafficking Crimes | 3 Comments »
Question: I have heard that in the past the USCIS has accepted work permit applications online and that this program has been very effective. Why do they not accept more types of forms online?
Answer: Actually, USCIS expanded their e-filing service online as of May 26, 2004. Now, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) include six new forms for customers to apply for immigration benefits online to expand its E-Filing program.
Initially, when the Internet-based customer service initiative began last year (May 2003), it allowed customers to file for two of the most frequently used applications online: Application to Replace a Permanent Resident Card (Form I-90) and Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765).
With the addition of the six new forms online, E-Filing now supports eight forms that account for more than 50% of the total volume of benefits applications USCIS receives annually. Since the establishment of E-Filing, more than 115,000 customers have chosen to apply online for immigration benefits.
Question: Can you let me know which new forms are now accepted online?
Answer: Form I-90, Application to Replace a Permanent Resident Card; Form I-765, Application for Employment; Form I-129, Petition for a Non-immigrant Worker; Form I-131, Application for Travel Document; Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker; Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Non-immigrant Status; Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status; Form I-907 and Request for Premium Processing Service Why Use E-Filing.
Question: Is E-filing difficult to do?
Answer: E-Filing is quick, easy and convenient because it allows you to complete and submit applications at any time, from any computer with Internet access. After filing online, you will receive instant electronic confirmation that your applications were received. You can then schedule an appointment, if necessary, to visit an Application Support Center at a convenient time – by calling the National Customer Service Center. You can schedule the appointment for the collection of a digital photograph, signature, and fingerprints. You would pay fees online with a credit or debit card or through the electronic transfer of U.S. funds from your checking or savings account. You do not need to obtain a money order or a cashier’s check.
Filed under: Immigration, Immigration Law, immigration provisions, Online Filing, USCIS | Tagged: on-line, USCIS | Leave a comment »
Question: I am a Lawful Permanent Resident and have petitioned my spouse and child years ago. However, I am heartbroken because I have not been with them in years. Is there anything I can do?
Answer: The Legal Immigration Family Equity Act (LIFE Act) established a nonimmigrant category within the immigration law that allows the spouse or child of a U.S. citizen to be admitted to the United States in a nonimmigrant category. The admission allows the spouse or child to complete processing for permanent residence while in the United States. It also allows those admitted in the new category to have permission for employment while they await processing of their case to permanent resident status.
The Visa classification is known as the K-3/4 nonimmigrants. The K3 applies to the spouse and the K4 applies to the children.
Question: Who is Eligible?
Answer: A person may receive a K-3 visa if that person: 1) Has concluded a valid marriage with a citizen of the United States; 2) has a relative petition (Form I-130) filed by the U.S. citizen spouse for the person; 3) seeks to enter the United States to await the approval of the petition and subsequent lawful permanent resident status, and, has an approved Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancée, forwarded to the American consulate abroad where the alien wishes to apply for the K-3/K-4 visa. The consulate must be in the country in which the marriage to the U.S. citizen took place if the United States has a consulate which issues immigrant visas in that country. If the marriage took place in the United States, the designated consulate is the one with jurisdiction over the current residence of the alien spouse,
A person may receive a K-4 visa, if that person is under 21 years of age and is the unmarried child of an alien eligible to be a K-3.
Question: How Do I Apply?
Answer: So that the alien spouse and child may apply for a K-3 nonimmigrant visa for a spouse and a K-4 nonimmigrant visa for a child, the citizen must file the necessary forms on behalf of the alien spouse with the applicable Service Center having jurisdiction over the citizen’s place of residence. The citizen petitioner will then receive a Form Notice of Action, indicating that the I-130 has been received by the BCIS. The citizen should then file a copy of this notice with the appropriate forms to the BCIS office in Illinois.
Once approved, the petition will be forwarded to the applicable consulate so that the alien beneficiary or beneficiaries may apply to the Department of State for nonimmigrant K-3/K-4 visas.
Question: Will I Get a Work Permit?
Answer: Persons in K-3 or K-4 status and applicants for adjustment to permanent resident status from K-3 or K-4 are eligible to apply for a work permit while their cases are pending.
Question: Can I Travel Outside the United States?
If you are in K-3 or K-4 status, you may travel using your unexpired K-3/K-4 nonimmigrant visa to travel outside of the United States and return, even if you are applying for adjustment of status simultaneously.
Filed under: Family Petition, Immigration, Immigration Law, K-3, LIFE Act | Tagged: Family Equity Act, K-3 Visa | Leave a comment »
Question: I have been a Lawful Permanent Resident for many years. Many of my friends have become U.S. Citizens (USC) as have many of my family members. However, I just do not know why I should become a U.S. Citizen. Can you advise me?
Answer: The Constitution gives many rights to citizens and non-citizens living in the United States. However, there are some rights the Constitution gives only to citizens, like the right to vote. When you are naturalized, you will be given the right to vote. Having a U.S. passport is another benefit of citizenship. A U.S. passport allows citizens the freedom to travel. In addition, citizens receive U.S. Government protection and assistance when abroad. Additionally, while no one should go and commit crimes, persons whom are only Lawful Permanent Residents can be put into deportation proceedings and deported. This is not true of U.S. Citizens. In fact, once you become a U.S. Citizen, it is incredibly difficult to take away your citizenship. Regarding the crimes, many times people will just be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Because of that they will just take a plea bargain. Of course, if they only have their Green Cards, they could be put into deportation for the same reasons as stated above. To be a U.S. Citizen, is simply a much safer way of living here.
Question: Are there increased responsibilities if I become a U.S. Citizen?
Answer: The Oath of Allegiance includes several promises you must make when you become a U.S. citizen, including promises to: give up prior allegiances to other Countries; support and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States; swear allegiance to the United States; and serve the country when required. Citizens have many responsibilities other than the ones mentioned in the oath. Citizens have a responsibility to participate in the political process by registering and voting in elections. Serving on a jury is another responsibility of citizenship. Finally, America becomes stronger when all its citizens respect the different opinions, cultures, ethnic groups, and religions found in this country. Tolerance for differences is also a responsibility of citizenship. When you decide to become a U.S. citizen, you should be willing to fulfill the responsibilities of citizenship.
You will have to honor and respect the freedoms and opportunities citizenship gives you. Once you become an American Citizen, and participate in all that this country has to offer, you will truly become an American.
Filed under: Immigration, Immigration Law, immigration provisions, Naturalization, U.S. Citizens | Tagged: Naturalized, U.S. Citizens | Leave a comment »
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