The Obama Administration’s Secure Communities program can be a good way to deport those arrested by law enforcement who turn out to be in the U.S. illegally. When local police make an arrest, fingerprints are sent to an FBI data base to check for prior criminal conduct, warrants for arrest, and so forth. Under [...]
Prosecutorial Discretion – Obama Rule
As some may recall, the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued a memorandum on June 17, 2011, requiring that ICE agents and government attorneys exercise prosecutorial discretion when deciding who should be removed (deported) from [...]
Family Sponsored Preferences
The Department of State just updated family sponsored preference categories for extended family members. The idea is that immediate family members such as parents, spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens can immigrate to the U.S. in a matter of months.
However, the petitions for all other family members are intentionally slowed down to help [...]
Immigration Expedites for Japanese Family Members
Immigration filings for Japanese family members of U.S. citizens and permanent residents may be expedited.
Here are the various opportunities:
The grant of an application for change or extension of nonimmigrant status for an individual currently in the United States, even when the request is filed after the authorized period of admission has expired. An [...]For Our Japanese Friends
The continuing disaster in Japan goes well beyond the enormous scale of human loss. There are already many thousands who have died and a minimum estimate of almost 7,000 people missing due to the devastating earthquake and tsunami. From all accounts, there are almost half a million homeless people there with entire villages having literally [...]
Extended U.S. stays for Japanese Stranded in the U.S. due to Earthquake or Tsunami
Japanese residents and other foreigners from the Pacific stranded in the United States due to the earthquakes and tsunami devastation in the Pacific, may apply to extend stays in the U.S.
You may be permitted up to an additional 30 days to depart the U.S.
Visitors traveling under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP):
If [...]
Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Alert
Over the past year, many local USCIS offices have prevented visitors who enter the U.S. under the visa waiver program from obtaining a green card based on marriage. In many instances, denial of adjustment of status triggers removal from the U.S. and a bar from the U.S. Hardships to families have been severe.
USCIS Headquarters [...]
