For millions of families separated by international borders, a family-based green card is the most direct path to reunification in the United States. If you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident living in Chicago or the Chicagoland area,…
If your family member is outside the United States and you are trying to bring them here as a permanent resident, Form I-130 is where the process begins. This guide covers current I-130 processing times specifically for consular processing, the…
Becoming a U.S. citizen is one of the most significant legal steps an immigrant can take. For green card holders in Chicago and the surrounding Chicagoland area, the naturalization process involves more scrutiny in 2026 than in prior years. Understanding…
Many permanent residents believe that holding a green card means they are protected from deportation. That is not the case. Under U.S. immigration law, green card holders, also known as lawful permanent residents (LPRs), can be placed in removal proceedings under…
In addition to the measures affecting all applicants covered in Part 1, the Trump administration imposed travel entry restrictions and USCIS benefit application holds specifically targeting nationals of 39 designated countries. This post explains both layers, the travel ban on entry…
On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14161 directing federal agencies to vet and screen foreign nationals to the maximum degree possible. The following measures now apply to all immigration benefit applicants, regardless of nationality or country of origin.…
Quick Answer Yes, a one-year wait is normal in 2026. Current I-485 processing times range from 8 months to over 2 years due to major USCIS backlogs and policy delays. USCIS is handling over 11 million pending cases — the…
Quick Answer The government is now reviewing the social media accounts of people applying for green cards, work permits, and citizenship. Social media vetting now touches nearly every category of immigration applicant. Failing to disclose a social media account is…
On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order seeking to limit birthright citizenship — the longstanding legal principle that anyone born on U.S. soil is automatically a U.S. citizen. This right has been protected by the Fourteenth Amendment…
Last Updated: May 2, 2026 — This page is updated as new USCIS policy changes are announced. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented new policies that may significantly delay or affect the processing of various immigration applications,…