One of the common confusions for those seeking to immigrate to the United States (or bring a family member) is the one that relates to the connection between approved petitions and available visas. They are not the same thing. Often times the immigrant or the petitioner of the immigrant has an approved petition (Form I-130) in her hands and believes that that alone entitles them…
People (some times kids themselves) ask me this question frequently. Why does a 15 year old that came to the US as a kid can have a work permit and I a 14 (or younger) year old do not qualify for it? The answer to this question is actually quite simple: deterrence. The US government entities in charge of immigration matters, want to make sure…
Out of the dozens of questions regarding immigration law issues from clients, potential clients, acquaintances, family, or friends; perhaps half of them are not related to immigration. There is a generalized confusion as to what is Immigration. To be clear, the way I am using the word “Immigration” here is the way lay people refer to the word. It is often a noun that describes…
No, because it doesn’t exist. People ask me this question frequently. There is this misconception out there that the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) has a 10-year rule, which entitles some to get green card if they have been living in the country for 10 or more years. To understand where this belief comes from we need a little bit of background. There are two…
If you find one, maybe. People constantly come to us with this question; usually in the context of trying to obtain the benefits—through spousal relationship—of the Cuban Adjustment Act (CAA). The truth is that there are not Cuban-Americans in the United States (at least for immigration purposes). There are Cubans, and there are Americans. But my boyfriend was born in Cuba and then he became…
