There are unfortunate circumstances which can detour one’s journey when immigrating to the United States. Illness, death, and unforeseen issues often factor into the difficulties of the immigration process. This was certainly the case for one of our clients, who we will refer to as Albert, to protect his privacy. Albert is a native and citizen of the Philippines who longed to come to the United States. He was the beneficiary of an approved Immigrant Visa Petition (I-130) filed by his father. After waiting many years for the priority date to become current, Albert began moving forward with the ..read more

On Sunday, April 28, 2024, President Joe Biden of the United States and President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico released a statement on the countries’ joint efforts to combat illegal immigration following a surge in border crossings. According to the joint statement, the national security teams of the U.S. and Mexico will “work together to immediately implement concrete measures to significantly reduce irregular border crossings while protecting human rights.”  The statement came following a phone conversation between the two leaders. At this time no further details of the convers ..read more

The migrant crisis, which has been primarily concentrated in Texas, has now expanded westward to California as the 2024 presidential election approaches. The shift in migration patterns can be partially attributed to the stricter policies enforced by Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott along the U.S.-Mexico border. As a result, there has been a significant influx of migrants, including individuals from Ecuador, Colombia, China, and Rwanda, arriving at the border near San Diego. Efforts to address the crisis, such as establishing migrant transitional centers, have faced challenges due to fund ..read more

When applying for permanent resident status (green card) through adjustment of status or through an application for an immigrant visa, you might be wondering how deep the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or the Department of State dive into your life to investigate your history and assess your eligibility. Not shockingly, in our technology-driven world, social media can significantly impact visa statuses and immigration cases. This is also true with petitions to remove the conditions on residence and applications for U.S. citizenship, as well as many other types of applications for immigr ..read more

On April 1, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) added a third gender option, “X,” on Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, marking a pivotal moment in inclusivity within immigration processes. Previously limited to the male and female binary, the updated form now offers a checkbox for “X” or “Another Gender Identity.” Form N-400 paves the way as the first immigration form to adopt this option. The Biden administration believes immigration benefits, including the process of naturalization, should be accessible to individuals of all gender identities. The USCIS website ..read more

We are pleased to announce the relocation of our Walnut Creek office to Concord, California. The new office, located at 1850 Gateway Boulevard, Suite 237, Concord Gateway 1, Concord, CA 94520, will allow us to better serve Bay Area residents in need of our immigration law services, which we have been providing for over 40 years. In addition, the new office is conveniently located just across the street from the Concord Immigration Court. Please note that our Walnut Creek office will be closed beginning May 1, 2024, and we will officially open the Concord office on May 3, 2024.To speak with an ..read more

On April 9, 2024, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) announced the opening of a new West Los Angeles Immigration Court, with a commencement date of May 6, 2024.  The court will be located at 5245 Pacific Concourse Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90045, and can be contacted at 310-335-2100 upon opening. Simultaneously, the EOIR will be closing its Los Angeles – Olive Street Immigration Court on April 17, 2024. Active cases assigned to the Olive Street location will be transferred to West Los Angeles, North Los Angeles, or Van Nuys Boulevard. Involved parties will receive advance not ..read more

The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments in the State Department v. Muñoz case which could have significant ramifications for future immigration cases.  In 2010, Luis Ernesto Asencio-Cordero, a Salvadoran who immigrated in 2005, wed civil rights lawyer Sandra Muñoz. The pair resided in Los Angeles and began the consular process in 2013. In 2015, Asencio-Cordero was denied his visa due to suspicion of gang affiliation stemming from concerns over the significance of his four tattoos (a theatrical mask, a tribal-style pattern, psychologist Sigmund Freud, and Our Lady of Guadalupe). De ..read more

The short answer to whether or not you can get deported for a misdemeanor is yes. Residing in the U.S. as an immigrant entails an obligation to comply with certain laws and regulations. Regardless of your immigration status, whether you are a non-citizen green card holder, naturalized U.S. citizen, or non-immigrant visa holder, violating laws in a new country could result in deportation. Seeking guidance from an immigration lawyer can help ensure you are acquainted with all California crimes to avoid any potential incidents of deportation. Our immigration lawyers are well-versed in the legal c ..read more

As tensions rise in Haiti following the rampant gang takeovers, Miami’s border agents prepare for an anticipated surge of Haitian refugees. Their primary concerns revolve around effectively managing the influx, streamlining the processing procedures, and discerning legitimate asylum claims from fraudulent ones. An internal communication obtained by The New York Post warned that it may be challenging to handle the overwhelming number of migrants entering Florida illegally. Given the severe instability in Haiti and the displacement of over 15,000 individuals, repatriating these migrants seems un ..read more