The new visa bulletin for March 2012 was recently released. While the numbers never move as quickly as we would like, there has been some general progress. In the family categories, category F-1 moved ahead approximately by 2 months in the general co…
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An interesting decision by the Board of Immigration Appeals came out last month. In Matter of U. Singh, 25 I & N Dec. 670 (BIA 2012), the Board held that a stalking offense for harassing conduct in a violation of a California law did constitute a…
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As a member of AILA (the American Immigration Lawyers Association), I have been hearing some horror stories of undocumented aliens being apprehended by ICE in municipal court after appearing for a DWI case. These incidents are not anecdotal rumors by…
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Clients as well as prospective clients frequently call the office to learn the processing times for certain applications. Most of our New Jersey clients have cases pending at the Vermont Service Center. As of January 25, 2012, according to USCIS, her…
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There is a very informative memo that may be of some interest to foreign/exchange students here on F, M, or J visas. The memo can be found at www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/bm1112-05-dmv-timing.pdf. The purpose of the letter is to provide guidance to n…
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Governor Chris Christie signed BIll A-1050 into law last week, upgrading the unauthorized practice of law penalties. The amendment to NJSA 2C: 21-22(b) now provides that it is a crime of the third degree to knowingly engage in the unauthorized practi…
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There is a new Policy Memorandum regarding the validity of Medical Reports/Certifications on Form I-693. The memo, dated December 29, 2011, essentially extends the validity of civil surgeon endorsements contained on the I-693. An I-693, when submitte…
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Next week, USCIS will be conducting another Naturalization Information Session for those interested in learning about the eligibility requirements for citizenship. The session will be held at the Elizabeth Public Library in Elizabeth, New Jersey, on…
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Last week, USCIS extended Temporary Protected Status (or “TPS”) for nationals of El Salvador. The extension will run an eighteen additional months from March 10, 2012 to September 9, 2013. In order to be granted protection under this prog…
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There are a number of qualified, excellent immigration practitioners in the State of New Jersey, and I am proud to say that I know and work with many of them. Unfortunately, there are also many notarios and consultants out there seeking to victimize…
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