Immigration Consequences for Marijuana

In recent years, many states in the United States have legalized the use, possession, and sale of marijuana for medical or recreational purposes. However, despite these state law changes, marijuana remains illegal under federal law and non-citizens can still face serious immigration consequences for marijuana offenses. First, it is important to understand that marijuana is…

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221(g) & Visa Refusal

The purpose of this blog post is to explain the common reason for visa application rejection under INA Section 221(g) and how it affects future visa applications. When an individual applies for an L-1, B-1, F-1, H-1B, or other nonimmigrant visa at the U.S. consulate abroad, it is not uncommon to be initially refused under…

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I-94 Expiration: Review Your Date

It is important for individuals in nonimmigrant status to keep track of the expiration dates on their I-94 forms, as these documents reflect the length of time a person is permitted to stay in the United States. I-94 forms are issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at ports of entry and can also…

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Presidential Memo on Visa Overstay: B-1 & B-2 Visitor Visas

The White House has released a memorandum outlining President Trump’s strategy to curtail the overstay rate for all nonimmigrant visas, with particular focus on B-1 and B-2 nonimmigrant visas. According to recent Department of Homeland Security DHS statistics, B-1 and B-2 visa overstay rates grew beyond 10 percent. President Trump has ordered the DHS to…

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USCIS & DHS Takedown Immigration Fraud Scheme Directed at Families

In Florida, federal prosecutors and the United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announced indictment charges for Erika Paola Intriago, of Tampa, Florida. Intriago stands accused of four counts of wire fraud and three counts of wrongfully using government seals. Allegedly, Intriago posed as an immigration attorney through social media, manipulating immigrants and immigrant families from…

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I-94 Format Change: Arrival/Departure Form Number

The United States Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) updated guidance for I-94 and I-94W Arrival and Departure forms. Beginning May 2019, I-94 records will be alphanumeric, a change from the strictly numeric 11 digit system. Depletion of Numeric-Only I-94s Codes The record numbers for form I-94s are essential in any immigration application. While these record…

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Revised Form I-539 (H-4, L-2, F-2, B-1, B-2, etc.) Available March 11th

United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) announced new changes to the Form I-539, Application to Extend/ Change Nonimmigrant Status. On the cusp of the H-1B filing season, this new change will swiftly alter form requirements for several visa petitions, including the dependents of H-1B visa holders. Change to Form On March 11, 2019 and…

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USCIS Introduces Online Fee Calculator

Regardless of the visa application, calculating total fees for filings can be a hassle. But what many don’t realize is that an improperly calculated fee payment would result in rejection of the complete application thereby leading to a longer application process. This tedious process has left many with rejected applications due to citing and submitting…

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Government Shutdown: EB-5 Program & Immigration Agencies

In the absence of congressional authorization, the EB-5 foreign investors visa program was set to end on December 21st of 2018. However, following the government shutdown that began on December 20th of 2018 and continues into the 2019, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) announced that the future of the EB-5 program will…

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Planning Travel to the United States: ESTA 72 Hour Minimum

During one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, it is important to take note of strict time cut offs for applications for entrance into the United States. Those eligible to enter into the United States through the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), in particular, should apply for Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) at…

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