An Immigrant is Taking My Job!
Recently, someone sent me a picture that appeared to show First Lady Michelle Obama holding up a sign that said: “An Immigrant is Taking My Job.” It was probably photoshopped, but it really made me stop and think … “How True.” More than ever before, I am now finding myself involved in deep discussions about…
The Trump Administration and the Future of U.S. Immigration Law
Editor’s Note: This article was originally written following the 2016 presidential election and reflects the immigration-law concerns and political climate at that time. It is preserved and reorganized here because many of the broader points remain useful: campaign promises do not automatically become law, immigration policy changes often take time, and immigrants should make legal…
H-1B Visa Information for the 2017 Filing Season
In preparation for the upcoming filing season for H-1B visa petitions for the next Fiscal Year, we are providing the following information and Checklist so that you will have an understanding of important deadlines, documents, and fees that relate to the filing of petitions to obtain H-1B status for non-immigrant workers. The H-1B “Cap” Under…
South American and Latin American Treaty Trader and Treaty Investor Countries
In sunny South Florida, there are many opportunities for entrepreneurial foreign nationals to secure a valid immigration status that is connected to their business enterprise. One of the primary ways that business owners can obtain a valid U.S. Immigration status is through the E-1/E-2 visa program for Treaty Traders and Treaty Investors. While the E-1/E-2…
Employment Authorization and Work Permits – Part 2
Another question that is closely related to “How do I get a Work Permit?” is “Is there any kind of work or activities that I can engage in to earn money without a work permit?” In other words, what really constitutes unauthorized employment in the United States? The answer to this question is very important…
Employment Authorization and Work Permits
As a South Florida Immigration Lawyer, one of the top questions that prospective clients ask me is: “How can I get a work permit?” This question is probably second only to: “How can I get a green card?” Understandably, the answer to this question is very important to many foreign nationals, as work permits (officially…
Dual Nationals and Matter of Ognibene
Over the 20 plus years that I have been an Immigration Lawyer, I have noticed an increase in the number of foreign nationals that are dual nationals and have Passports from more than one country. At the simplest level, it presents the question of which Passport will be used upon entry to the U.S. For…
Separated but not Divorced. Navigating the Jointly filed I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence
UPDATE: Note that I have updated and supplemented this blog with a Part II HERE and a Part III HERE. On occasion, when it comes time for a conditional permanent resident to file the I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence (based upon a marriage to a U.S. citizen), the marriage has broken down and…
Sealing and Expunging Criminal History Records for Immigrants
As a South Florida Immigration Lawyer, immigrants sometimes ask me whether sealing or expunging records relating to a criminal offense will help their immigration case. Generally, the answer is “No.” In Florida, qualified criminal defendants may petition the court to seal or expunge certain offenses. The process is generally done in order to limit public…
Nonimmigrants in the United States applying for Visas in Canada or Mexico
Nonimmigrants (temporary visa holders) in the U.S. often consider the possibility of traveling to Canada or Mexico to apply for Visas. This is known as “Third Country National” processing. A Third Country National (or “TCN”) is a term that describes a nonimmigrant who applies for a visa in a country that is not his or…
