By Brian Figeroux, Esq. When a U.S. green card holder (lawful permanent resident) marries a spouse who is overseas, they face an important decision: Should they petition immediately for their spouse under their current status, or wait until they become a U.S. citizen to file the petition? The key consideration in this decision is speed—how […]
By Esther Claudette Gittens For many non-citizens and green card holders in the United States, public assistance programs provide critical financial support, food security, healthcare, and housing assistance. However, receiving public benefits can also impact an individual’s ability to adjust status, naturalize, or petition for family members under U.S. immigration laws. Understanding how federal and […]
By Brian Figeroux, Esq. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides a pathway for survivors of domestic abuse to apply for immigration relief without relying on their abusive U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR) spouse, parent, or child. VAWA allows these individuals to self-petition for a green card if they can demonstrate they were […]
By Janet Howard As of January 22, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has waived the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for individuals applying for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident (green card) within the United States. This policy change means that applicants are no longer required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination on […]
By American Immigration Council Foreign workers fill a critical need in the U.S. labor market—particularly in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Every year, U.S. employers seeking highly skilled foreign professionals compete for the pool of H-1B visa numbers for which U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) controls the allocation. With a low […]
By Leslie Dellon, IMMIGRATION IMPACT The American Immigration Council does not endorse or oppose candidates for elected office. We aim to provide analysis regarding the implications of the election on the U.S. immigration system. The Supreme Court recently cut off another path for judicial review of decisions by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) adjudicators. […]
By Mary Campbell | Editorial credit: Stephanie Kenner / shutterstock.com The U.S. government has announced that it will refund application fees to tens of thousands of unauthorized immigrants married to American citizens following the recent federal court decision that struck down a Biden administration immigration policy. According to internal government documents obtained by CBS News, […]
By Brian Figeroux, Esq. Green Cards, officially known as Permanent Resident Cards, serve as proof of an individual’s authorization to live and work permanently in the United States. Prior to August 1989, the U.S. government issued Green Cards without expiration dates. These cards, often referred to as “indefinite” Green Cards, remain valid today. However, there […]
By Brian Figeroux, Esq. Introduction For lawful permanent residents (LPRs) in the United States, renewing a green card after it has expired is typically a routine process. However, individuals with criminal records—including arrests without convictions—may face complications, including denial of renewal or placement in deportation proceedings. This article explores whether someone with a green card […]
By Leslie Dellon, IMMIGRATION IMPACT The American Immigration Council does not endorse or oppose candidates for elected office. We aim to provide analysis regarding the implications of the election on the U.S. immigration system. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently issued its long-awaited H-1B modernization rule. The final rule takes effect on January 17, 2025. USCIS […]