USCIS Shares Best Practices for Filing Forms by Mail
On August 24, 2024, USCIS released a list of its best practices and top tips for filing forms by mail. These tips are divided into three separate sections: (1) Complete Your Form Accurately; (2) Assemble Your Application, Petition, or Request; and (3) Mail Your Application, Petition, or Request. Here is a brief summary of these…
USCIS introduces new Online Form to Request In-Person Appointments at Local Field Offices
On August 21, 2023, USCIS announced that it had launched an online form for individuals, attorneys, and accredited representatives to make requests for in-person appointments at their local USCIS field office. This is a change from the previous procedure which only allowed appointments to be scheduled by calling the USCIS Contact Center. You can access…
New USCIS Mail Delivery Process allows some Immigrants to receive I-551 stamps by Mail
On March 16, 2023, USCIS announced that certain eligible permanent residents may now receive temporary written evidence of their lawful permanent resident status by mail, rather than by having to obtain the evidence by visiting a field office in person. Under the previous policy, permanent residents who wanted to obtain written evidence of their status…
Things you can do to improve your chances that you will NOT be found likely to be a Public Charge in the future.
Yes, I know that this is a long title for a blog post. But after spending a lot of time going over all of the details of the new Public Charge Rule (the Rule) and working with clients on preparing and submitting the new I-944 Declaration of Self Sufficiency, I have been taking mental notes…
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….
Public Charge Final Rule to be implemented on February 24, 2020
On January 27, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a lower court injunction and ruled that the Trump administration can implement its Public Charge final rule (the Rule) which seeks to deny immigration benefits to immigrant applicants that the government deems likely to rely on public benefits. As such, USCIS announced that it will be…
If I file a joint I-751 with my spouse and we separate (but are still married), should I file a Change of Address with USCIS?
When spouses join in the filing of an I-751 petition and then separate, but stay married, the question arises as to whether they should file a Change of Address with USCIS. My answer to this question is usually that it depends upon whether: (1) the parties have physically separated and are living in different residence…
How to extend your Conditional Permanent Resident Status
Green card applicants who are applying based upon a marriage to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident that is less than 2 years old will receive conditional permanent residence for 2 years. While a conditional permanent resident has all of the same rights (and responsibilities) as a permanent resident that is not subject to any…
