In general, if a work authorization card is lost, stolen or destroyed, it should be replaced. There may be certain practical exceptions to this rule. For example, a DACA recipient who has to renew annually, and who is close to time to file for the renewal, may decide just to wait a little bit...
If you wanted to find out something about somebody, would you look on social media? The government is no different. Immigration officials check social media. They can do so for all sorts of legitimate reasons. While naturally immigration officials have security concerns, they also have the respo...
Because of a recent Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) order, full vaccinations for COVID-19 will be required as of October 1, 2021, for green card applicants. There are a few limited exceptions to the requirement. Basically, if you complete a medical exam (I-693) October 1, 2021, or thereafter...
An immigration interview can certainly be rescheduled. A request to reschedule however should be done as far in advance as possible. A call has to be made to the USCIS service number at 800-375-5283 but it is advisable to follow up with a written letter to the adjudicating office. That letter sho...
Sometimes the question is raised about the impact of tattoos when it comes to immigration. There is no issue with the tattoo act itself but there can be a problem with “statements” made by specific tattoos. The best way to think about this is to consider tattoos as evidence. They communicate th...
All who have not received DACA approval as of July 16, 2021, but have filed as recent first-time applicants, will not at this time be able to get approval for their application. It is estimated there are approximately 81,000 of these applications. This means that those with DACA approval in hand will continue renewing just as they have in the past. USCIS will, however, continue to accept and presumably process initial requests.
Because of political and civil unrest in Haiti, this past Saturday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it is offering Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Haitians who were in the U.S. as of May 21, 2021. DHS estimates there are 100,000 people eligible for the program. The gran...
The Secretary of Homeland Security has, for humanitarian reasons, undertaken action to help Venezuelan students here on F-1 visas. Venezuelan citizen students will now (1) be able to get work authorization, and (2) be able to reduce their school load (and still be in compliance with their visa)...
The House of Representatives yesterday passed a bill that would create a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers. The Dream and promise Act would provide certainty to undocumented people who came to the U.S. before the age of 19. Instead of being subject to various policy changes with DACA, thi...
The Los Angeles Times is reporting Venezuelans are going to be allowed temporary protected status (“TPS”). An announcement is scheduled by the White House for later today. This is great news for deserving people from Venezuela. During the designated TPS period, those eligible (1) are not remov...
Last Friday, as part of the new administration's immigration reform efforts, ICE quietly announced a new appeals process (“Ice Case Review”) involving arrests, detention and deportation. This is a follow up to the agency's recent announcement that their priorities will be on national security a...
Without fanfare and on his last day in office, President Trump issued a Memorandum protecting most Venezuelan exiles from deportation. The program grants work authorization which, in Florida, allows for the recipient to get a driver's license. With the program, the United States will defer for 18...
USCIS has issued a policy memorandum (PDF, 277.32 KB) directing the phased expansion of in-person interviews for petitioners filing Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition. These additional interviews will provide an opportunity to evaluate a petitioner's credibility, supporting our missio...
Here are the basic guidelines for qualifying for a first-time DACA filing.
Traveling abroad with an expired conditional green card is not impossible but there are important documents you need to bring with you.
NEW CIVICS TEST FOR ALL NATURALIZATION APPLICANTS BEGINS DECEMBER 1, 2020
Question: " What if a dream act passes while you're in the middle of your immigration process? Can you switch directions and apply under the (hypothetical) new path? " Answer: "A request for an immigration benefit can be abandoned/withdrawn at any time. There should be no negative impact. If ...
Ask John #2 Q: "Should I risk flying to California, being an illegal immigrant could things go wrong easily or should I not worry?" John's Answer: "International travel requires a valid passport and permission to enter another country. Airplane travel within the U.S. requires c...
Q: "Should I carry my work permit in my wallet, or leave it at home? I keep everything except my id at home. I'm scared to lose my ss card & my work permit. Is it legal to make a copy of them?" John's Answer: "We always advise clients to make sure they make (and safely keep) backup c...
There will be no furloughs for the 13,000 employees of USCIS who thought their jobs were in jeopardy at the end of August.
Student F Visa Expiring? USCIS announced a policy change! Typically, student visas are issued for “duration of stay” meaning the time was open-ended (with compliance assumed). If your student F visa expires and you have not applied for an adjustment of status, you are out of compliance. This mea...
WHY SUSPECT MARRIAGE FRAUD? Because some people actually encourage immigration marriage fraud . Check out this excerpt from the USCIS website a couple of days ago. Marriage Fraud – USCIS Efforts Lead to Guilty Convictions in Florida Release Date: July 27, 2018 U.S. Citizenship and Immigrati...
ICE records reveal they are arresting more people who have no criminal record. In 2015 and 2016, 85% of people arrested by ICE had criminal convictions. In the first 14 months of the Trump administration, 69% of their arrests involved people with criminal convictions. The facts are clear: more u...
Franchise and Immigration Matters
(352) 329-6336
Linea En Espanol
(352)-251-0011
Although based in Florida, Usher Law Firm, P.A. serves clients worldwide and helps with franchise and immigration matters in all 50 states.
At Usher Law Firm, you can count on caring, personal service.
**A minimal scheduling fee may apply to some cases