Immigration QA

Today the USCIS published a resource link for the Religious Worker Visa category. https://www.uscis.gov/R1-resources While this particular today's posting did not indicate any new changes to current policy, it did consolidate its rules in this particular visa category, and highlighted one of the most significant changes to the religious worker visa that took place earlier in 2026. USCIS has now highlighted the change in its new R-1 Religious Worker Resources page. The most important development is that, effective January 16, 2026, qualifying R-1 religious workers who reach the five-year maximum period of stay are no longer required to spend one year outside the United States before becoming eligible for another period of R-1 status. For foreign-born priests, ministers, and other religious workers—and for the churches, dioceses, religious orders, temples, mosques, synagogues, gurdwaras, and other religious organizations that employ them—this can be an important change. What ...

The Department of Homeland Security has finalized its regulation to eliminate Duration of Status (D/S) for final review and clearance. Above-all, the noose around Day-1 CPT will be cinched. Here's what you need to know: THE RULE New oversight on student visa programs—especially those offering Day 1 CPT—by requiring stronger proof that employment is truly integral to the academic program--and NOT primarily a workaround for work authorization. Schools will be penalized if their programs appear designed mainly to enable employment rather than education. Certainly it will shut down programs that don’t meet stricter academic legitimacy standards. To me, this means most of them. SPECIFICALLY: → No re-enrolling at the same or lower educational level in F-1. The "second master's to restart CPT" strategy is explicitly prohibited. → Grace period drops from 60 to 30 days after program completion. → The 4-year clock includes time already spent in F-1. Many students are ...

Credit: PeaceProject.com In 2026 I've received more inquiries, than my entire career to date, about the necessity for a Certificate of Citizenship (CoC). This is document is not proof of  attaining citizenship, in which chase one would attain a Certificate of Naturalization (CoN). but when one is already a citizenship but doesn't have a U.S. birth certificate.   CoCs are issued in limited but important situations where one was born outside America but, under law, still a U.S. citizen by virtue of their U.S. citizen lineage.  Lots of ins and outs for eligibility for both CoCs and CoNs.  But the most common reasons to issue Certificates of Citizenship are 1) foreign adoption by American parents and, 2) birth abroad to American parents.  Notice I say reason for issuing, and not requirement . This is because someone in these (and some other) situations can actually obtain a U.S. passort directly from that agency by showing proof of their citizenship. Most people j...

Severe Due Process Violations In I.C.E. Enforcement Even for those within ICE's current enforcement pattern, the loss of due process (and human) rights is serious. We are seeing significant and troubling violations of each. These developments raise profound concerns for the rule of law and safety of all communities whether or not directly affected. Until then, I've written like mad this week explaining how to mitigate some of the worst outcomes--until something changes. Who Is Actually Affected by Current ICE Operations? Before addressing documents, it is essential to understand the scope of recent enforcement actions. As explained in my previous post ,  ICE’s current surge is targeted to particular categories—not the general population. There are serious problems with this targeting, that could also ensnare innocent parties, but it is important to note the current, factual context. If you are a U.S. citizen and your activities do not resemble those targeted in recent operati...

Some patterns have emerged from the recent upsurge of ICE arrests. I believe you will soon be arrested by ICE  if you have one of these: 1. A) You came in the last 3 or 4 years under a parole program, B) Someone who is not a lawyer filed an asylum application for you and, C) you have work permit. I believe you will be arrested soon because immigration believes your application is flimsy (which it is), it will be denied anyway (which it probably will be), you have a work permit (so they know your address or workplace), and you've never spoken with an immigration lawyer (you were told you don't need one unless you're arrested).  2. You are working without a work permit alongside the people described above. 3. Any type of asylum application filed by a nonlawyer. 4. A visa recently revoked or expired, even prior to end of grace period or appeal period. 5. U.S. citizen acting belligerently in the proximity of an ICE operation. I'm not saying any of these activities are in...

Nota: Originalmente escribí esto para los ciudadanos, pero me di cuenta de que son buenos consejos para todos. No esperen para hacer estas cosas. Los notarios, consultores, asesores y asistentes están arruinando cualquier posibilidad de que el proceso se lleve a cabo legalmente, y además están cobrando más dinero que un abogado de verdad.Busquen ayuda profesional--ahora mismo! Al atender llamadas durante un reciente aumento de redadas de ICE en Minneapolis, surgieron algunos temas comunes que resultan tanto frustrantes como instructivos. También aprendí que soy tan vulnerable como cualquiera a los miedos basados ​​en las emociones y a reaccionar impulsivamente, a pesar de tener ciertos conocimientos y herramientas. Así que, después de disculparme profusamente con algunas personas a mi alrededor, "empecé una lista". Aquí les presento lo que, como abogada de inmigración, creo que podría prevenir arrestos de ICE o marcar la diferencia en la defensa contra la deportación. Agradez...