Posts by hykellaw
In the News: Status Stripped from 400,000 Immigrants
The Trump Administration has stripped “temporary protected status” from people from El Salvador, Haiti, and Sudan, many of whom first received protection in the 1980s. Many of these immigrants have been safely and legally in this country ever since. The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has upheld this decision. The protections…
Read MoreCan an Extramarital Affair Disqualify You for a Green Card?
It’s a good idea to stay faithful if you’re trying to become a legal permanent resident of the United States through marriage. If you have an affair you may incentivize your spouse to withdraw the I-130 petition, which could jeopardize your status. Thinking you’ll just stay with your new sweetheart? Sadly, your next petition may…
Read MoreNew Options for H-1B and L-1 Visa Holders
The June 22, 2020 Trump administration ban suspends entry for foreign nationals on H-1B, H-2B, J-1, and L-1 visas until December 31, 2020. On August 12 the State Department released a few exceptions. Many will not find these exceptions helpful, but they offer options to a narrow range of professionals. The entire ban and the…
Read MoreNew Immigration Fees Philadelphia Immigrants Should Know About
If you’re seeking to get naturalized you’ll need more money than you used to. The Trump Administration just all but doubled the fees. What was once a $640 fee for an online application has shot up to $1,160. Even asylum-seekers are seeing new fees. While the $50 fee for asylum seekers may seem modest to…
Read MoreInternational Students Can Take Online Classes After All
On July 6, 2020 the Trump Administration provoked outrage and lawsuits by instituting a rule which said international students could not keep their visas if they were taking online-only classes to protect themselves from Covid-19. Pennsylvania was one of 17 states who sued over it. Harvard and MIT also launched separate lawsuits, and were joined…
Read MoreImmigration in the News – July 1, 2020
It’s been another tumultuous couple of weeks in immigration, with several major stories in the news worth paying close attention to. Here are some of those stories…and what they might mean to you and for you as you seek to navigate your own immigration issues. Here are the three top stories. Federal Judge Strikes Down…
Read MoreWhat Must an Employer Do Before Hiring an H-1B Worker
Hiring an H-1B worker is a lot harder in today’s climate, and right now the Trump Administration is considering closing down this form of immigration for at least a year. Yet many employers will still want to attempt to bring on H-1B workers to fill gaps in their employment. To do this, they must take…
Read MoreWhat Are Your Rights if ICE Agents Are At the Door?
Despite Covid-19, ICE continues to pursue immigrants across the country. In fact, given current events it’s more important than ever to understand your rights in the event that an immigration agent shows up at your home to give you a hard time. Here’s what you need to know. You do not have to open the…
Read More3 Questions About Immigration and Employment, Answered
Immigration issues can seem labyrinthine and confusing, especially to those caught in the middle of them. The current Covid-19 crisis has created even more opportunities for confusion and concern. Here are a few of the most common questions we’re seeing at this office. #1) Will using unemployment threaten your visa? Millions of Americans have lost…
Read MoreThe Latest News on How Covid-19 is Shaping Immigration Policy
It’s hard to believe it’s been six weeks since the Covid-19 crisis “officially” hit in America. Throughout this time, the pandemic has become hopelessly intertwined with immigration issues. The close of the month brings us three news items worth paying attention to. Federal Judge Upholds Trump’s 60-Day Ban on Green Cards US District Judge Michael…
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