USCIS Just Raised the Stakes for Signature Mistakes on Forms
Every immigration lawyer has had a filing returned because of a signature problem. In the past, that usually meant correcting the issue and sending the package back. A recent change announced by the Department of Homeland Security suggests that, in some situations, the consequences could now be much more significant. Effective July 10, 2026, USCIS…
U.S. Department of Homeland Security to Resume applying Final Public Charge Rule
Based on the September 11, 2020 ruling of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will resume applying the Final Public Charge Rule on a nationwide basis. This means that DHS will apply the Public Charge Rule to all applications and petitions that were postmarked…
Immigrants and Recovery Rebates under the CARES Act
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law, providing the U.S. economy with a $2 trillion dollar economic recovery package. The package offers financial relief to state and local governments, individuals, small and large businesses, and hospitals that were affected by Coronavirus pandemic. Of particular interest…
The I-944 Declaration of Self Sufficiency and the Totality of Circumstances Test
As I explained in a previous post, if you are subject to the new Public Charge Rule, you will have to show DHS that you are not inadmissible by proving that you will be economically self-sufficient once you are granted permanent residence in the U.S. This is accomplished by filing an I-944 Declaration of Self…
How to comply with the Public Charge Rule if you are applying for Adjustment of Status.
If you are eligible to apply for your green card in the U.S., you will have to file a Form I-485 Application for Adjustment of Status with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This process of Adjustment of Status, which is distinguished from Consular Processing (ie. applying for your green card at a U.S….
