Category: English
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Faster Admission for Qualified Central American Immigrants
The Department of Homeland Security has announced that starting July 10th, 2023, it will allow 100,000 immigrants from Columbia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras that have approved family-based visa petitions to come to the U.S. The petitioning family member in the U.S. will receive an invitation to apply for the foreign-citizen family member to come…
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Changing Status From Visitor to Student
Going to school on a visitor visa is not allowed. This is a violation of the nonimmigrant status. However, a visitor can apply to change status to an academic (F-1) or vocational (M-1) student. The steps to apply are the following: The USCIS has to approve the change in status before the applicant can start…
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REAL ID is here. Can I Fly Domestic?
If you are out of status or undocumented, you can not. The REAL ID Act went into effect on May 7th, 2023 and it states that federal agencies may not accept state-issued driver’s licenses or identification cards unless they are REAL ID compliant or are issued by a state that the DHS has determined to…
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MAJORITY Brings Banking to Migrants
MAJORITY is a non-traditional bank that was founded in 2019 and aimed at making it easier for new migrants to have access to banking services. MAJORITY sets up “meetups” in areas where immigrant populations cluster. It hires advisors that are from the countries where the immigrant populations come from to do outreach and education ranging…
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Deportation for Obstruction of Justice
The federal immigration law states that non-citizens can be deported for aggravated felony charges including charges, “relating to obstruction of justice.” The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in a 6-3 decision, in Pugin v. Garland, that obstruction of justice applies even if it “prevents an investigation or proceeding from commencing in the first place.” Whereas,…
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Premium Processing for F, M, and J Visas
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that starting June 13, 2023, it will accept a request for premium or expedited processing (Form I-907) from anyone who wants to change status to F, M, or J visa through Form I-539. Starting June 26, 2023, premium processing will be available to all applicants who…
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A Hopeful Path for Millions to Get Their Green Card
The immigration registry process allows people who have lived in the U.S. since January 1, 1972, and who are undocumented to apply and become lawful permanent residents. However, this law has not been updated since 1986. H.R. 1511 is a new bill now being considered in Congress so that undocumented residents that have been in…
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Latest COVID Travel Update
According to the White House Briefing on May 1st, 2023, nonimmigrant travelers are no longer required to show proof of COVID vaccination.
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Visa Fees are Going Up
These increases will be effective on May 30, 2023. The fee for visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2), and student and exchange visitor visas will increase from $160 to $185. The fee for non-immigrant visas for temporary workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) will increase from $190 to $205. The fee…
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2024 Diversity Visa
Did you apply for DV last year? The results of the lottery have been announced. 55,000 people will be given the opportunity to come to the United States. You can go to the U.S. State Department website and check out the status of the application until the end of September 2023.