Some good news has come to religious workers who intend on filing an I-485.
In a United States District Court decision out of the state of Washington, the court in RUIZ-DIAZ v. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ruled that a Petitioner who filed or will file a Petition for Special Immigrant Religious Worker Visa (Form I-360) with the USCIS on behalf of an individual beneficiary may now file an Application for Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) and, if the beneficiary seeks employment status, may also file an Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) even if USCIS ...<< MORE >>
The Law Office of Robert F. Mirque, Jr.
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Grand Rapids Immigration Lawyer Specializing In Marriage Visas, Green Cards, Deportation
URGENT DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR NON-MINISTER IMMIGRANT VISAS
Congress has temporarily extended the nonminister immigrant visa category, but only until October 31, 2009. Therefore, nonminister religious workers can presently file, or have adjudicated, their I-485 applications for permanent resident, but only for the next two weeks. Congress will consider a further extension, but when, or if that happens is uncertain.
1. Consider filing for adjustment by October 30, 2009, if you did not already
I Overstayed My Visa, Can I Apply For A Green Card If I'm Married to a US Citizen?
A foreign national who is married to a United States citizen can apply for a "green card" in the United States provided their last entry into the United States they presented themselves for inspection at a United States port of entry and were legally inspected and then admitted or paroled into the United States.
This provision of the law forgives the fact that the foreign national has not maintained their legal status in the Unted States and forgives any unauthorized employment by the foreign national.
This means that even though you fell out of status, you are eligible to apply for a "green card" ...<< MORE >>
This provision of the law forgives the fact that the foreign national has not maintained their legal status in the Unted States and forgives any unauthorized employment by the foreign national.
This means that even though you fell out of status, you are eligible to apply for a "green card" ...<< MORE >>
Holiday Travel Tips Across the US - Canadian Border
The Law Office of Robert F. Mirque and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reminds travelers planning trips across the border into the United States to have their approved travel documents and to anticipate heavy traffic during the celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday.
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, implemented on June 1, requires U.S. and Canadian citizens, age 16 and older to present a valid, acceptable approved travel document that denotes both identity and citizenship when entering the U.S. by land or sea. WHTI-compliant documents include a passport, U.S. passport card, enhanced driver’s ...<< MORE >>
E-Verify Rule For Federal Contractors Becomes Effective Today
We are reminding federal contractors and subcontractors that effective today, they may be required to use the E-Verify system to verify their employees’ eligibility to work in the United States if their contract includes the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) E-Verify clause.
In July, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano strengthened employment eligibility verification by announcing the Administration’s support for the regulation that will award federal contracts only to employers who use E-Verify to check employee work authorization.
The E-Verify federal contractor rule extends use of the E-Verify system to cover federal contractors ...<< MORE >>
Important Deadline for Religious Workers
Readers of my blog are reminded of an important deadline for religious workers who might benefit from the court's order in Ruiz-Diaz v. United States, No. CO-71881RSL (W.D. Wash. June 11, 2009).
Applications for adjustment of status must be filed by August 31, 2009. This deadline applies to those applicants who had Form I-360 religious worker immigrant petitions pending as of June 11, 2009, and have accrued unlawful presence or unauthorized employment from the date of filing. A properly filed adjustment of status application by August 31, 2009 will toll any such unlawful presence or unauthorized employment until USCIS issues a ...<< MORE >>
Applications for adjustment of status must be filed by August 31, 2009. This deadline applies to those applicants who had Form I-360 religious worker immigrant petitions pending as of June 11, 2009, and have accrued unlawful presence or unauthorized employment from the date of filing. A properly filed adjustment of status application by August 31, 2009 will toll any such unlawful presence or unauthorized employment until USCIS issues a ...<< MORE >>
Myth: Immigrants Are a Threat to Workable Health Care Reform
FACT: The more people who pay into a system of health insurance, the more everyone benefits. An important function of health insurance is to pool risks and use premiums collected from the healthy to pay for the medical care of those who need it.
FACT: U.S. citizens make up the majority of those who are uninsured. U.S. citizens make up the majority of the uninsured (78%), while legal and undocumented immigrants account for 22% of the nonelderly uninsured.
FACT: Immigrants do not impose a disproportionate financial burden on the U.S. health care system. ...<< MORE >>
US Court Orders USCIS to Accept Concurrently Filed Religious Worker I-360 and I-485
USCIS Announces Resumption of Premium Processessing for Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker
I have had a number of clients asking me about premium processing of their applications. Well, today the USCIS announced that effective
After an ...<< MORE >>
US Grants Deferral for Widows of US Citizens Married Less Than Two Years
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today granted deferred action for two years to widows and widowers of U.S. citizens—as well as their unmarried children under 18 years old—who reside in the United States and who were married for less than two years prior to their spouse’s death.
“Smart immigration policy balances strong enforcement practices with common-sense, practical solutions to complicated issues,” said Secretary Napolitano. “Granting deferred action to the widows and widowers of U.S. citizens who otherwise would have been denied the right to remain in the United States allows these individuals ...<< MORE >>
Applicability Date for E-Verify Federal Contractor Rule Extended
This just in ... The applicability date of the final rule requiring federal contractors and subcontractors to begin using U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) E-Verify system has been pushed back by six weeks to June 30, 2009.
If you have any questions regarding I-9 compliance or any other immigration issue, give me a call at 616-233-9300 or email me at info@mirquelaw.com ...<< MORE >>
If you have any questions regarding I-9 compliance or any other immigration issue, give me a call at 616-233-9300 or email me at info@mirquelaw.com ...<< MORE >>