It’s no secret.  The U.S. immigration system needs repair. But how you ask? Well, actually, a few simple ideas could greatly improve the process for family-sponsored green card applicants. Here are five small changes that would (a) reduce how many immigrants are waiting for interviews and (b) how long they need to wait before the big day occurs. Related Podcasts: Episode 188: Guiding Principles For Immigration Reform Episode 68: Why A Border Wall Is Not The Answer Recommended Links For More Information: Renewing The Battle For The Reuniting Families Act Trapped In The Politics Of The 1960 ..read more

Today, I’d like to discuss priority dates, one of the most significant concepts in green card cases. It’s one of those terms many immigrants have heard, but do not really understand what it means or how It works. Yet, when an immigrant reaches his or her priority date, it marks a major milestone for them, bringing their dreams and hopes one big step closer to becoming reality. Related Podcasts: Episode 143: Upgrading I-130 Petitions For Immigrant Spouses: Tips And Pitfalls Episode 111: What Does Conversion Of Immigrant Petitions Mean? Recommended Links For More Information: How To Understand V ..read more

United States citizenship. It’s the final frontier of U.S. immigration law. And for immigrants who naturalize, the last step of the immigration process takes place when he or she takes the Oath of Allegiance at their naturalization ceremony.  The name, alone, tells the main purposes of such a recital at the moment one becomes a U.S. citizen. Related Podcasts: Episode 192: Citizenship vs Permanent Residence: The Differences Episode 65: The Truth About Dual Citizenship Recommended Links For More Information: The Oath Of Citizenship Women Stripped Of U.S. Citizenship Because Of Marriages To ..read more

It’s a terrible law. Imagine you’re a virtual assistant – who works from home – from a country outside the United States. You visit a cousin in the United States.  You enter on a tourist visa. While, you’re here, you turn on your laptop, and you do some work for a client who lives in England, Canada, or Singapore. Once you turned on your computer to help one of your clients, you’re deemed to be in violation of your visa. And this could lead to a finding of being inadmissible, several years later, even as the spouse of a U.S. citizen. Related Podcasts: Episode 102: Immigrants Do Not Come T ..read more

Why do so many U.S. citizens fear the impact of immigration reform? Is their opposition based on facts or misconceptions? Since changes to immigration law in 1997, advocates for immigrants have been forced to play defense.  The arguments against reform, however, have remained the same.   Related Podcasts: Episode 188: Guiding Principles For Immigration Reform Episode 4: Fighting Hate With Hate Is Not The Answer Recommended Links For More Information: The Insidious Mythology Of Immigration Ghettos Four Insights About The Economic Contributions Of Immigrants In The United States ..read more

“Who can I immigrate?” This is one of the most common questions that immigration lawyers are asked. The answer depends. Who you can immigrate depends on whether you are a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident. Related Podcasts: Episode 143: Upgrading I-130 Petitions For Immigrant Spouses: Tips And Pitfalls Episode 111: What Does Conversion Of Immigrant Petitions Mean? Recommended Links For More Information: How To Understand The I-130 Immigrant Relative Petition Immigrant Visa Petitions: The First Step In The Family-Based Green Card Process ..read more

Back in my days of political activism, twice per year, I would organize door-to-door voter registration campaigns. Volunteers would carry citizenship pamphlets just in case they knocked on the doors of permanent residents who had not taken the next step to seek naturalization. I did not think we would run into very many of these folks.  To my surprise, I learned countless individuals – though lawful residents – had no desire to be U.S. citizens. Related Podcasts: Episode 153: Renewing Your Green Card: What You Need To Know Episode 65: The Truth Of Dual Citizenship Recommended Links For Mo ..read more

For nearly three decades, immigrant opponents have focused their attacks on migrants from four countries – Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador – the four countries closest to the country’s southwest borders.  They assert a border wall is needed.  Doors to entry need to be locked. They fail to realize that the world’s migration flows have changed. Their focus is misplaced.  Their solution is misguided. Related Podcasts: Episode 161: Vinnie The Brave Episode 55: 71 Million Refugees Recommended Links For More Information: What You Need To Know About Cambodian Refugee Depor ..read more

Immigrants who have entered the U.S. without permission or overstayed their visas live everyday with constant worry. They fear being apprehended and deported – before they can obtain permanent resident status. Such immigrants are often vulnerable to deceptive shysters promising them sure-fire solutions. Living in the shadows, it’s tempting for some to listen when they meet someone who says, “I know someone who can help.” Or, “I have a friend inside the Immigration Service.” Related Podcasts: Episode 123: The Immigration Danger Of False Friends Episode 81: Immigration Reform And Con Artists Rec ..read more

When U.S. citizens complain about migration at the southwest borders, most overlook two key factors.  ·        The role of the U.S. in creating conditions which have led to the exodus of persons from various countries. And the role of the U.S. in helping to alleviate such conditions. Related Podcasts: Episode 171: Nine Rings Of Hell For Central American Refugees Episode 155: Reverse Brain Drain Recommended Links For More Information: Why The U.S. Must Grasp The Root Causes Of Central American Migration The Second Cooler: A Documentary About The Causes Of ..read more