Does the Supreme Court’s New Border Decision Affect Your Green Card or Citizenship Case?
Editor’s Note (July 2026): This article discusses the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Blanche v. Lau and its practical impact on lawful permanent residents. As with all immigration matters, future court decisions, agency guidance, or legislative changes may affect how this decision is applied. This article reflects the law as of the date of…
What Happens After My Asylum Is Approved? A Guide to Life as an Asylee in the United States
When the U.S. government grants your asylum application, it’s a major victory – and the start of an entirely new chapter. Many newly approved asylees ask the same question: “What happens after my asylum is approved?” 1. You Are Immediately Authorized to Work in the United States. Once asylum is approved, you are automatically eligible…
Bringing an Interpreter to Your USCIS Interview: Rules You Should Know
If you have an upcoming interview with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) — such as for Adjustment of Status (green card) or Naturalization (citizenship) — it’s important to understand who can serve as your interpreter and what the current rules are. You Must Bring Your Own Interpreter USCIS generally requires applicants who need language…
USCIS Changes Policy on the Validity of I-693 Medical Exams
USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) has updated its rules about the medical exam form used in immigration applications – Form I-693 (Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record). What is changing? Starting June 11, 2025, if a civil surgeon signs Form I-693 on or after November 1, 2023, the form is only valid…
Remote Attorney Representation at your Nunc Pro Tunc Asylum Interview
Under applicable law, an asylum applicant has the right to have an attorney or representative present at their affirmative asylum interview. Due to social distancing guidelines, USCIS is temporarily allowing attorneys or representatives to participate in asylum interviews remotely, either by phone or video. In order to elect this option, the applicant’s attorney will have…
DHS designates Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
On March 3, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it had designated Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for a period of 18 months. This designation of TPS will allow eligible nationals from Ukraine to apply for protected status and also to apply for a work permit (which is optional). What are…
New USCIS Policy allows certain applicants to obtain Employment Authorization Documents that will be valid for 2 years
On February 7, 2022, USCIS updated its General Guidelines on the Maximum Validity Periods for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), or work permits, for certain filing categories. This guidance allows eligible applicants to obtain EADs that will be valid for 2 years when they file initial or renewal EAD applications (filed on Form I-765). Before this…
USCIS Update to the Nunc Pro Tunc Asylum Filing Procedure
In a previous blog post, I wrote about the nunc pro tunc asylum procedure which provides certain asylees with a way to adjust status and get their permanent residence even after they have lost their derivative relationship with the principal asylee (ie. due to Naturalization of the principal, death of the principal, or marriage of…
Major USCIS Fee Increases scheduled to take effect on October 2, 2020
Fees for many of the core USCIS applications and petitions will significantly increase starting on October 2, 2020. In the 25 years that I have been an Immigration Lawyer, I have never seen fees increase so dramatically. These fee increases include: I-485 Application for Adjustment of Status. The current fee for an I-485 Application for…
Will I be affected by President Trump’s April 22, 2020 Proclamation Suspending Entry of Immigrants?
On April 22, 2020, President Trump signed an Executive Order (Proclamation) suspending entry of certain Immigrants into the U.S. on the ground that they will pose a risk to the U.S. labor market during the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Although, like most Immigration-related orders that come out of the Trump White House, it…
