Immigration Law Facts and Issues - Articles by Richard Hanus - USA Visa Counsel.com » Lawful Permanent Residence in the U.S.

Family 2A Preference Shows Major Progression

Admin — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 13:58:25 +0000

Each year, more than 100,000 immigrant visas are made available to foreign national spouses, and under 21 year old single children, of U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR). In recent years, it has taken anywhere from 3 to 5 years for an immigrant visa to become available in this family preference, [...]

When The Marriage Goes Sour: Options for Pending Adjustment of Status Applicants in the U.S.

Admin — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 12:15:40 +0000

A foreign national is in the U.S. visiting, studying or working, (possibly even overstaying their visa) and he meets the person of his dreams, or so it seems. That person is a U.S. citizen and following marriage, the couple files “adjustment of status” paperwork to facilitate the foreign national’s resident [...]

Green Card Is Green Again

Admin — Tue, 18 May 2010 11:54:39 +0000

It has been more than a few decades since the document evidencing one’s U.S. lawful permanent resident was actually green, but the label “green card” seemed to stick. Even though the Alien Registration Card, or Permanent Resident Card – as it is now known, was produced in a pinkish tone [...]

U.S. Supreme Court: Non-U.S. Citizens Must Be Advised of Deportation Consequences Before Pleading Guilty

Admin — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 23:13:43 +0000

On March 31, 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in the case of Padilla v. Kentucky, declaring that noncitizen criminal defendants seeking to plead guilty must be advised by counsel of deportation consequences.

The case arises out of the State of Kentucky, with Jose Padilla, a long time lawful [...]

CIR ASAP

Admin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:02:26 +0000

For about the tenth time in the past decade, I am writing about a new legislative initiative presented to allow for the legalization of the vast majority of those present in the U.S. in violation of our immigration laws. This time, the initiative is called Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s [...]

New Immigration Legislation to Benefit Widow(er)s of U.S. Citizens and Other Surviving Family Members of Deceased Petitioners and Applicants; Significant Questions Remain

Admin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:59:47 +0000

On October 28, 2009, President Obama signed into law important immigration provisions to address the unjust consequences of slow Citizenship and Immigration Services processing, particularly relating to widows and widowers of U.S. citizens. The law also includes ameliorative provisions relating to other types of family relationships and petitions; the death [...]

Public Benefits and Immigration

Admin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:05:29 +0000

In the past month, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services released a “Fact Sheet” outlining the law as it relates to a foreign national’s receipt of certain public benefits in the U.S. and the possible adverse consequences it might pose for his/her effort to become a U.S. permanent resident. [...]

The Green Card Lottery (DV-2011)

Admin — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 22:00:11 +0000

As in years past, millions of people from all over world will submit entries to have a chance at one of 55,000 diversity immigrant visas and obtain “green card” status in the US. Excluded from eligibility are natives of Brazil (new to the list), Canada, China (mainland born), Colombia, Dominican [...]

U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Case of Criminal Defendant Not Advised of Deportation Consequences

Admin — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:09:05 +0000

On October 13, 2009, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case involving a U.S. lawful permanent resident facing removal from the U.S. as a result of entering into a criminal plea bargain (pleading guilty, as opposed to going to trial, in exchange for a reduced sentence) without [...]

CIS Issuing Approval Notices for Long Pending I-130 Petitions; Now What?

Admin — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:42:01 +0000

In recent weeks, it appears Citizenship and Immigration Service Centers across the US have been making headway on their backlog of long pending visa petitions filed by US Citizens or Permanent Residents on behalf of their foreign-born family members both living in the US and abroad. Many of these [...]