By Esther Claudette Gittens | Editorial credit: Anna Moneymaker / shutterstock.com In July 2019, federal authorities arrested Arleigh Louison, a 53-year-old Brooklyn resident, for orchestrating a massive immigration fraud scheme that exploited the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Operating under the alias “Ali Lou,” Louison submitted over 1,800 fraudulent applications on behalf of more than […]
By Suchita Mathur, IMMIGRATION IMPACT The American Immigration Council does not endorse or oppose candidates for elected office. We aim to provide analysis regarding the implications of the election on the U.S. immigration system. After initially blocking the Biden administration’s recent move to promote family unity for some U.S. citizens with undocumented spouses in August, a federal […]
By Brian Figeroux, Esq. | Editorial credit: create jobs 51/ shutterstock.com It is advisable to consult with an immigration attorney to evaluate the individual’s specific circumstances, especially to explore whether Advance Parole or other legal avenues might be pursued successfully. Advance Parole is one of the most common and viable options for individuals without lawful […]
By Brian Figeroux, Esq. | Editorial Credit: Yuri A / shutterstock.com The National Interest Waiver (NIW) is an immigration pathway available to certain foreign nationals under the Employment-Based Second Preference (EB-2) category of the U.S. immigration system. The NIW allows an individual to seek a waiver of the job offer requirement, including the labor certification […]
WASHINGTON— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will celebrate Independence Day this year by welcoming approximately 11,000 new citizens in more than 195 naturalization ceremonies between June 28 and July 5. These ceremonies demonstrate our government’s commitment to welcoming immigrants and promoting the benefits of U.S. citizenship for all who are eligible. In fiscal year 2023, […]
Editorial credit: Shutterstock On June 14, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services updated the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify how prospective adoptive parents (PAPs) can adopt a child through the Hague Adoption Convention process. This policy manual update affirms our commitment to the standards and principles of the Hague Adoption Convention, including safeguards to protect […]
Editorial credit: Kristi Blokhin / Shutterstock.com U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance regarding the F and M student nonimmigrant classifications, including the agency’s role in adjudicating applications for employment authorization, change of status, extension of stay, and reinstatement of status for these students and their dependents in the United States. This […]
Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued policy guidance updates in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify the types of venues USCIS may use for administrative naturalization ceremonies. This clarifying guidance is part of USCIS efforts to educate the public and those seeking to donate venue spaces, and to provide more transparency on how to partner with […]
The lack of a major overhaul in the United States’ immigration system for roughly thirty years has created an ecosystem where states have attempted to insert their authority over immigration, especially when it comes to enforcement. Texas has made headlines with its tougher approach and outsized role in shaping America’s immigration enforcement policy, while some states have […]
By Emma Winger, Immigration Impact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a temporary rule last week that automatically extends employment authorization for certain noncitizens waiting for USCIS to process their work permit renewal applications. As of December 2021, over 80,000 noncitizens had lost or would soon lose the right to work because of adjudication delays and a growing […]