Blog: Immigration Attorneys Archive

Alien Registration Requirement Overview As of February 25, 2025, any national of a foreign country aged 14 or older who has been in the U.S. for more than 30 days must register online and have their fingerprints taken. They must then carry documentation of their...

TPS Overview The Immigration Act of 1990 (“IMMACT”) established Temporary Protected Status (“TPS”) for noncitizens who are temporarily unable to return to their home countries due to conditions there such as natural disasters or war. This covers only nationals of...

Overview of Immigration Removal Proceedings Removal proceedings is the term used by the U.S. government for the legal process that leads to removal from the United States for a non-citizen. It is more commonly called deportation, but the formal proceedings are...

Background of the Cuban Adjustment Act In 1959 Fidel Castro overthrew the U.S. backed government in Cuba led by Fulgencia Batista and subsequently declared himself a communist. This aligned Cuba with the Soviet Union, which at that time was a geopolitical rival with...

The immigration team at Siri & Glimstad provides help to clients with a broad range of immigration needs (see other services we can help with). One of the most common topics we are contacted about involves questions surrounding kinds of visas. What is a Visa? A...

The H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant work visa which allows skilled workers who meet certain requirements to remain in the United States while working for a specific employer. These visas allow U.S. companies to hire foreign nationals who fulfill a role an American worker...

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services office (USCIS) is the administrative agency under the umbrella of the United States Department of Homeland Security which handles immigration matters. Many new changes have been implemented in immigration policy,...

As discussed in some of our previous articles, President Trump has kept very busy during the beginning of his second term as President, fulfilling campaign promises to the American people who voted him in. Some of the promises he made to voters involved resolutions...

Since President Trump has taken office for his second term which began in January 2025, he has hit the ground running, signing executive orders at an incredibly fast pace. He has also revived executive orders from his previous presidency and expanded some practices...

When President Trump took office for his second term on January 20, 2025, he immediately signed more executive orders than any other president had on their first day. Immigration had been a hot topic for voters during his campaign, and President Trump seemed...

What to Expect and How to Prepare Immigration matters including global mobility for business immigration have become a concern for many people now that the second Trump administration is in full swing.  Visa holders are wondering what they can expect from the new...

In a significant policy shift announced on January 22, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially removed the COVID-19 vaccination documentation requirement for individuals applying for permanent residency in the United States. This change...

What is the DACA Program? Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a program that originated with an executive order by then-President Barack Obama in June of 2012. It applies to people who entered the country unlawfully as children. DACA stands for Deferred...

History of The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) In 1994, a new federal law was enacted called the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). This new law was a reaction to the increasing awareness of violent crimes against women with tragic outcomes – including domestic...

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a significant step towards promoting family unity in the U.S. immigration system. Starting August 19, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will implement the Keeping Families Together...

If you plan to travel outside the United States and return, it's essential to have the proper travel documents. The type of document you need depends on your immigration status and whether you have a pending immigration benefit request. In most cases, you must apply...

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) allows applicants to request expedited processing for certain applications, petitions, requests, appeals, or motions. However, expedited processing is not guaranteed and is granted on a case-by-case basis at the...

If you're applying for adjustment of status to become a permanent resident (green card holder) in the United States, you'll need to complete a medical examination as part of the process. The medical exam is documented on Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and...

If you have filed an I-485 Adjustment of Status application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and are waiting for a decision, you may be able to apply for temporary work authorization and travel permission in the meantime. These benefits can...

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced new guidance regarding how long an immigration medical exam report (Form I-693) remains valid as evidence. For any Form I-693 properly filled out and signed by an approved civil surgeon on or after...

For those dreaming of building a new life in the United States, immigrating through proper legal channels is crucial but fraught with complexities. The U.S. immigration system is a bureaucratic labyrinth of forms, fees, interview requirements, and strict eligibility...

In today's digital age where so much of our lives play out across social media platforms, it should come as no surprise that the U.S. government is paying closer attention to the online footprint of prospective immigrants. Social media has become a new screening tool...

Vaccines have become so prevalent in our society lately, and there are mandates everywhere – schools, workplaces, for travel, and for immigrants. Luckily, for immigrants seeking lawful permanent residency in the United States either through USCIS or Consular...

If you have been convicted of a crime in the U.S. or another country, your criminal history could negatively affect your ability to live in the U.S. if you are not a U.S. citizen. This is true even if you are a permanent resident or legally in the U.S. in another...

Divorce is a challenging life event. However, divorce and immigration status dependent on your marriage to a U.S. citizen could be especially difficult. Your immigration status after a divorce will depend on the current stage of your immigration process. That’s why it...

If you're a U.S. citizen engaged to be married to someone from another country, you essentially have two main paths to get them a green card to live permanently in the United States - either get married first then apply for an immigrant visa through consular...

The TN Visa was originally created under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which established special trade relationships between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. TN visa status allows Canadian or Mexican professionals to live and work in the U.S.  The...