What Is a Notice to Appear?
A Notice to Appear (NTA), also known as Form I-862, is a document issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) when they think someone can be removed from or not allowed into the United States. Once DHS gives…
What Is a Nonimmigrant Visa?
A nonimmigrant visa is placed in your passport and grants you permission to travel to the United States on a temporary basis. Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to travel to the United States must apply for…
Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record
If you are applying for a green card in the United States, you have to submit Form I-693, which is a medical exam and vaccination record completed by a specific doctor known as a civil surgeon. This form shows that you are not inadmissible to the United States based on health reasons.…
President Biden Announces New Policies to Provide Immigration Relief for Certain Undocumented Individuals
On June 18, 2024, the Biden administration announced two major new policies which will help provide streamlined paths to legal status for certain undocumented immigrants. The first policy will allow undocumented spouses and children of U.S. citizens who have been…
Current status of DACA
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA) is a federal policy created in 2012 that allows certain individuals who entered the United States illegally as children to live and work legally in the United States and avoid deportation. What is…
Changes to USCIS Filing Fees Effective April 1, 2024
In early 2024, USCIS changed the filing fees for certain immigration and naturalization forms and also released new versions of several forms. These updated fees and forms will become effective on April 1, 2024. USCIS will accept prior editions of…
Temporary Visitor Driver’s License (TDVL) for Undocumented Immigrants – Important Tips
In a past article, we discussed that under Illinois law, immigrants in unlawful status who are not eligible for a Social Security Number may apply for a Temporary Visitor Driver’s License (TVDL). This law enables immigrants who are eligible to…
Illinois Protects Against Discrimination Based on Work Authorization Status
The Illinois Human Rights Act protects individuals from discrimination based on their immigration or citizenship status. These protections extend to work authorization status, which means that employers in Illinois are prohibited from discriminating against employees or job applicants on the…
What Factors May Lead USCIS to Determine a U Visa Application Does Not Qualify for Bona Fide Status?
In past articles we discussed the Bona Fide Determination (BFD) Process for U visa applicants and their qualifying family members. We advised that the BFD process allows USCIS as its discretion to grant U visa applicants and qualifying family members…
U Visa Applicants – What Are the Benefits of Being Granted Bona Fide Status?
In a past article, (Bona Fide Determination (BFD) Process for Qualifying Family Members of U Nonimmigrant Victims of Qualifying Crime), we discussed that a U visa application is bona fide if, upon initial review by Unites States Citizenship and Immigration…