Posts From December, 2019

On December 12, a federal judge issued a nationwide injunction on the rule that ended fee exemptions for many poor immigrants seeking citizenship. The previous rule allowed a fee exemption for anyone on government aid or who could show financial hardship (such as medical expenses or unemployment). The blocked rule eliminated fee waivers for government benefits and […]

The Trump administration published a proposed rule on Wednesday that would deny asylum to those convicted of serious offenses such as domestic battery as well as lesser offenses such as reentering the U.S. illegally. DHS stated that the goal is to “devote more resources to the adjudication of asylum cases filed by noncriminal aliens.” Current law already […]

Illinois’ law legalizing recreational marijuana will take effect in a few weeks. However, the National Immigrant Justice Center and other organizations advised immigrants not to partake in, admit to, or carry documentation of marijuana use. Marijuana is still federally illegal and can carry immigration consequences, including affecting applications for permanent residence, or even risking deportation. – Weekly […]

The 4th Circuit lifted a lower court injunction against Trump’s expanded public charge rule on Monday. The rule expands what is considered a “public charge” for immigration purposes, encompassing a wide range of public benefits, like Medicaid and public housing vouchers, that were not considered before. The 9th Circuit similarly lifted an injunction, but a nationwide injunction […]

On December 6, USCIS announced that registration for the 2021 H-1B lottery will take place online. Employers who want to file cap-subject petitions must register online and pay the $10 registration fee. Employers will only need to give basic information on both the employee and requested worker. If selected by the lottery, the employer will then file […]

On December 10, USCIS issued policy guidance based on the attorney general’s decisions in two cases regarding good moral character. In the Matter of Castillo-Perez, the attorney general decided that two or more DUI convictions within the statutory period affects a good moral character determination, but this presumption can be overcome with evidence of good moral character […]

By the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services expanded its policy guidance regarding unlawful acts that may prevent an applicant from meeting the good moral character (GMC) requirement for naturalization. The commission of, or conviction or imprisonment for, an unlawful act, during the statutory period for naturalization, may render an applicant ineligible […]

A recent filing by DHS shows that the department has proposed changing regulations so that “all travelers, including US citizens, may be required to be photographed upon entry and/or departure.” DHS stated that the proposed regulation is intended to stop criminals and prevent travel-document fraud. The proposed rule contradicts CBP’s previous statement that U.S. citizens would not […]

Immigration officials created a fake university to lure foreign college students into staying in the U.S. under illegal pretenses. 8 students who worked as “recruiters” for the false institution were charged with federal conspiracy earlier this year after they assisted more than 600 students in receiving student visas under false pretenses. These recruiters did not […]