General Blog

The Difference Between Removable and Inadmissible Immigration The difference between these two terms is simple: inadmissible is used when someone is denied entry into the United States; removable refers to someone who is already in the country. They may fall into one of these categories: Living in the U.S. legally (they possess a nonimmigrant visa or a green card) They are undocumented (no green card or nonimmigrant visa) and are here illegally Why are these two terms important for you to know? It’s because of what they have in common. Regardless of whether you are inadmissible or removable, you will not be allowed to live in the United States.  Inadmissible  This applies when you are trying to become a legal permanent resident (a green card holder). It MAY apply to…Read More

Hiring an immigration attorney is a personal choice. You're not required to have an attorney, and there are a number of different attorneys out there. Serving Immigrants is uniquely suited to help you with your immigration needs for a number of important reasons.   Experience The team at Serving Immigrants has years of experience handling a variety of immigration issues. They know the process and how to handle each step. Immigration processes can be complex, so it is important to have someone who has been through it multiple times. Immigration petitions often involve mountains of paperwork and strict requirements that must be met. The team at Serving Immigrants knows how to work through the paperwork and help you collect the evidence you need for success.   Focused Practice  Some law…Read More

Under United States immigration law, a limited number of family-based immigrant visas are awarded to foreign nationals every year. Family immigration is the primary basis for immigration to the United States. It accounts for approximately 65% of legal immigration.   Eligibility for a Family Visa There are two groups who are eligible for family visas: Immediate Relatives—includes 1) spouses of U.S. citizens; 2) children of U.S. citizens who are under the age of 21; 3) orphans adopted abroad; 4) orphans to be adopted in the U.S. by U.S. citizens, and 4) parents of U.S. citizens who are over 21. Family Preference Categories—includes 1) unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens and their children; 2) spouses, minor children, and unmarried sons and daughters over 21 of Legal Permanent Residents; 3) married…Read More

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Trump administration put a ban on certain work visas. Trump had frozen new green cards during the pandemic, arguing that the clampdown was important to safeguard the United States economy, protect jobs, and for public health reasons. Trump also halted temporary work visas for skilled workers, managers, and au pairs, including H-1B, H-2B, H-4, L-1, and J categories.   Revoking the Freeze In February 2021, President Biden revoked the freeze on many visas and green cards, stating that the freeze was not in the best interests of the United States. Biden also noted that the freeze hurt industries and families and noted that it prevented qualified non-U.S. residents from entering the country. While Biden did not take steps to reopen some temporary work visas, the…Read More

  Being arrested or detained can be an overwhelming, stressful, and significant event in your life. Though the subject of being arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may be uncomfortable to think about, you should still understand your rights. So if you are arrested or detained, you can rely on exercising the rights that you know you have.  Remain Silent You do have the right to remain silent. And this can be surprisingly difficult to do. The reason being is that you will likely have the desire to explain your way out of the situation you are in. If you think you’ve been detained mistakenly, you might wish to express this. Should you not have a valid explanation for why you were detained, do not lie or pass off…Read More

Differences Between a Fiance Visa and a Marriage-Based Visa   If you are a United States citizen and your fiancé lives overseas, you have an important decision to make. Should you bring your fiancé over to the U.S., or should you marry them overseas and then bring them over as your spouse? Factors such as timing, your personal preference as to where to hold the wedding, and expense can all play a part in your decision.   Fiance Visa A fiancé visa, also known as a K-1 visa, is issued to a foreign national who is engaged and intends to marry a U.S. citizen. Before filing for a fiance visa, a couple must show that they have seen each other in person within the last two (2) years. The foreign…Read More

Although people may think that the terms permanent resident and citizen can be used interchangeably, they do not mean the same thing. Understanding the differences and how they apply to you, is the first step to knowing your rights and responsibilities. For example, under certain circumstances, you can be deported even if you are a permanent resident. To protect yourself, understand these terms and the meaning of each. A Lawful Permanent Resident This is someone who has been granted the right to live in the United States indefinitely—meaning there is no timeline when it will expire. To be clear, that doesn’t mean it cannot be revoked, but we will go over that in a moment. These people have a Permanent Resident Card, commonly referred to as a “green card.” This…Read More