Here is the visa bulletin for March 2011. This bulletin is published by the Department of State and it summarizes the availability of visas as of March. The availability changes monthly and lets you know when your visa number becomes available. It also gives you an idea of the length…
Here is the visa bulletin for April 2011. This bulletin is published by the Department of State and it summarizes the availability of visas as of April. The availability changes monthly and lets you know when your visa number becomes available. It also gives you an idea of the length…
When a non U.S. citizen obtains a greencard (becomes a lawful permanent resident (LPR)), he or she gains many rights not available to other non U.S. citizens. However, an LPR can “abandon” that status and not even know it. If an LPR remains outside of the United States for more…
Florida lawmakers proposed a new bill that would require employers to verify potential employees immigration status. The bill would also allow law enforcement to obtain the identify and legal status of individuals in criminal investigations. Critics of the proposed law state that the Arizona type immigration bill would reflect poorly…
The Florida Third District Court of Appeal recently ruled in Hernandez v. State, that the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Padilla v. Kentucky should not be applied retroactively. The Padilla Court held that a criminal defendant who entered a plea to a criminal charge, but was not properly advised, or…
The Board of Immigration Appeals narrowed the list of immigrants that can be deported in their decision, Matter of Alyazji, 25 I&N Dec. 397 (BIA 2011). The law states that an alien can be deported if he or she commits a crime involving moral turpitude less than 5 years after…
Did you know that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can deny your N-400 Application to become a U.S. Citizen if you are a male that failed to register for the Selective Service between your 18th birthday and your 26th birthday? Many of our clients had no idea…
Baker County’s new detention facility is now hosting satellite video removal hearings. The Judge and government attorney are still located in the closest immigration court in Orlando. However, through video conferencing, the client and attorney may appear by video at the Baker County Detention Facility, instead of the client being…
In Padilla v. Kentucky, 599 U.S. ___, 130 S.Ct. 1473 (2010), the United States Supreme Court held that when a non U.S. citizen is either inproperly advised or not advised of the immigration consequences of the plea of guilty or no contest to a criminal charge, the conviction may be…