Category Archives: Immigration
December 2014 Visa Bulletin Shown Modest Changes
The State Department publishes a monthly report showing immigrant visa availability for family and business immigrants. The categories are described in the bulletin and depend on the priority date, or the date when the immigrant petition was filed with the Department of Homeland Security. The wait times for family based petitions shortened slightly. As for… Read More »
Three Ways to Immigrate to the United States
Yesterday we wrote about the 53 main visas that one can apply for to enter the United States. Just because you get a visa does not mean that you can immigrate to the U.S. By immigrate, we mean come here to live permanently as a lawful permanent resident with a green card. There are only… Read More »
53 Reasons Why You Need an Immigration Lawyer
The last time I counted, there were 53 non-immigrant visas available for people to enter the United States. Each visa begins with a letter from the alphabet followed by a number. The total list of visas looks like an alphabet soup and ranges from A-1 to S-7. When I read through the list of visas,… Read More »
Top Five Reasons to Hire Tucker & Ludin for Your Immigration Case
Our Experience: When it comes to your immigration case, your attorney’s reputation is as important as yours. Our immigration lawyers have been practicing law for over 35 years. Each immigration matter is unique and has its own set of facts and challenges. With our experience we have had the opportunity to successfully overcome many… Read More »
Immigration Victory for Victims of Domestic Violence from Guatemala
The Board of Immigration Appeals ruled in late August 2014 that Guatemalan victims of domestic violence qualify for asylum as a “particular social group”. The lead Applicant in the case was a Guatemalan woman who was abused on a weekly basis by her husband in Guatemala. The beatings started after she gave birth to their… Read More »
Court Upholds Denial of Cancellation of Removal
Clarifying the criteria to qualify for non-Lawful Permanent Resident Cancellation of Removal, the First Circuit upheld the Board’s decision denying such relief. A non-LPR (an LPR being a green card holder) may qualify for Cancellation of Removal, among other things, if he or she has been in the United States for more than 10 years… Read More »
What Happens if You Leave the Country After an Immigration Judge Orders Your Removal?
Since 1952, immigration regulations have tried to prevent immigrants who had departed the United States from pursuing any further relief, such as filing a Motion to Reopen before the Immigration Court or the Board of Immigration Appeals. Under the current regulations, 8 C.F.R. §§ 1003.2(d) and 1003.23(b)(1), immigrants are barred from pursing such motions if… Read More »
Things You Need To Know About Green Cards Through Marriage
Many people believe that the easiest way to get a green card (lawful permanent residency) is to marry a US citizen. Once you have a green card through marriage, you become eligible for naturalization after only three years. Other green card holders must wait five years. It is important to realize that getting a green… Read More »
The Supreme Court Strikes Down DOMA Opening Opportunities for Same Sex Couples
Because of DOMA, Federal benefits were denied to same sex couples. Today, the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional. At Tucker & Ludin we are studying how this ruling will affect immigration laws. Before today, a US citizen or lawful permanent resident could not sponsor their foreign gay spouse for a green card. Also, an abused person… Read More »
Senate To Consider Immigration Bill from “Gang of Eight”
The US Senate is now considering a comprehensive immigration bill which would dramatically alter the current laws in the U.S. Most significantly, the bill would provide a legal status for thousands, if not millions, of non-citizens currently in the U.S. unlawfully. People should be cautious when reading this news and remember that the bill must… Read More »
