When Did Public Charge Come to Be? “Public charge” is a term used to refer to a ground of inadmissibility. Grounds of inadmissibility are reasons that a person could be denied permanent residence, a visa, or entry into the United States. In deciding whether to grant a benefit, an immigration officer must decide whether that [...]
January marks Human Trafficking Awareness Month—a time to raise awareness about this critical human rights issue. Human trafficking can occur everywhere, and often the warning signs are subtle so it’s important to be aware and prepared to act if you believe human trafficking is occurring in your community. Some steps you can take include educating [...]
On June 18, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced steps it will take to “promote family unity in the immigration process.” Please note that you cannot yet apply for benefits pursuant to this announcement. DHS has not published the official requirements but has indicated they will “later this summer.” Until then, any applications [...]
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) implemented updated policy guidance for Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioners. The new guidance is effective immediately, and it applies to all Forms I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, filed as VAWA self-petitions that are currently pending, or are filed on or after February 10, 2022. The [...]
Because January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we are sharing five things we feel are important to know about how human trafficking intersects with immigration. Individuals who recently migrated or relocated are most at risk or vulnerable to both sex trafficking and labor trafficking. One of the top methods traffickers used to [...]
Pursuant to a Presidential Proclamation, as of November 8, 2021 the following requirements are in place for international travelers to the United States: Air Travelers: All adult non-immigrant (temporary) travelers entering the United States must provide proof they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. An individual is fully vaccinated two weeks after the last required dose [...]
USCIS Emite Política que Provee Protecciones Adicionales a las Víctimas de Crímenes El Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos (USCIS, por sus siglas en inglés) actualizó su Manual de Políticas para reflejar la implementación de un nuevo proceso conocido como “Determinaciones de Autenticidad.” El propósito de este proceso es otorgar autorización de empleo a los sobrevivientes [...]
In July, Lopez Immigration Law celebrates its fifth anniversary! We are so grateful to all of those who have made our work possible over the past five years – our clients, our community partners, our families, and our friends. It truly is our privilege to help our clients through the complex immigration system and [...]
USCIS Issues Policy Providing Further Protections for Victims of Crime U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated its Policy Manual to reflect the implementation of a new process known as “Bona Fide Determination.” The purpose of this process is to issue employment authorization to survivors of crimes, who apply for U Non-Immigrant Status (known as [...]
On January 20, 2021, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) withdrew a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services; (USCIS) Policy Memorandum which required USCIS to issue a Notice to Appear (NTA) in immigration court when they denied U Visa and T Visa petitions, VAWA-self petitions, and related green card applications in certain situations. The prior [...]
