USCIS May Place Green Card Applicants into Removal Proceedings Under New Policy

USCIS May Place Green Card Applicants into Removal Proceedings Under New Policy

Washington, D.C. – August 6, 2025 – In a major policy shift, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is now warning that individuals applying for family-based green cards—particularly marriage-based petitions—could be placed directly into removal (deportation) proceedings if found ineligible. This update, effective August 1, 2025, states that approval of a family-based petition no longer ensures […]

Green Card Holder Petitioning for a Spouse: File Now or Wait for Citizenship?

Green Card Holder Petitioning for a Spouse: File Now or Wait for Citizenship?

By Brian Figeroux, Esq.  When a U.S. green card holder (lawful permanent resident) marries a spouse who is overseas, they face an important decision: Should they petition immediately for their spouse under their current status, or wait until they become a U.S. citizen to file the petition? The key consideration in this decision is speed—how […]

Does an Annulment Prevent a Plaintiff or Defendant from Filing a VAWA Application for Immigration Relief?

Does an Annulment Prevent a Plaintiff or Defendant from Filing a VAWA Application for Immigration Relief?

By Brian Figeroux, Esq.  The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides a pathway for survivors of domestic abuse to apply for immigration relief without relying on their abusive U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR) spouse, parent, or child. VAWA allows these individuals to self-petition for a green card if they can demonstrate they were […]