New Rule requiring Immigrants to show proof of Health Care coverage
On October 4, 2019, President Trump issued a proclamation requiring many future immigrants to show that they can afford health care as a condition to obtaining approval of their immigrant visa applications. In short, this new rule will require applicants for immigrant visas (green cards) to show that they have health insurance or have the…
Applications to Change or Extend Nonimmigrant Status will be closely examined under the new Public Charge Rule.
In a previous blog post, I wrote about the new Public Charge Rule which will go into effect on October 15, 2019. The most immediate effects of this Rule may be felt by applicants who file I-539 applications or I-129 petitions to extend or change their nonimmigrant status on or after this effective date. According…
How Your Social Media posts can ruin your Immigration Case.
On May 31, 2019, the U.S. Department of State updated it’s immigrant and nonimmigrant visa application forms (Forms DS-260 and DS-160) to request information about “social media identifiers” from most U.S. visa applicants worldwide. A social media identifier means any social media or mobile communications accounts, identifiers, user names, short-code designations, handles, or nick-names. In…
Should I hire an Immigration Lawyer to prepare and file my forms?
This question reminds me of the old saying: “If you walk into a Barber shop and ask the Barber whether or not you need a haircut, you will leave the Barbershop with a haircut.” Without a doubt, as Immigration Lawyers, we are in the business of selling our services, so we have an obvious interest…
What do Immigration Officers look for at I-130 Interviews?
This week I had the opportunity to attend several I-130 marriage based interviews with my South Florida clients. After having attended several hundred I-130 interviews over the past 20 plus years of being an Immigration Lawyer, I know that my clients will always benefit from being prepared. In addition to increasing the chances that the…
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…
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…
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…
