The Law Office of Robert F. Mirque, Jr.
Grand Rapids' Pre-Emminent Immigration Law Firm
Grand Rapids Immigration Lawyer Specializing In Marriage Visas, Green Cards, Deportation

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 >>

Posted by Attorney Robert F Mirque Jr at Tuesday, June 09, 2009 4:39 PM | Add Comment

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 >>
Posted by Attorney Robert F Mirque Jr at Monday, April 20, 2009 1:37 PM | Add Comment

Reminder to All Employers to Use the New I-9 Forms

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a reminder that the revised Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification (Rev. 02/02/09), went into effect April 3, 2009 for all U.S. employers. The revision date is printed on the lower right-hand corner of the form.

The interim final rule, published Dec.17, 2008 in the Federal Register, revised the list of documents acceptable for the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) process.  Employers may no longer use previous versions of the Form I-9.


It is the USCIS' position that the revised list will improve the security and effectiveness of the Form ...<< MORE >>

Posted by Attorney Robert F Mirque Jr at Monday, April 06, 2009 5:43 PM | Add Comment

USCIS Announces Acceptance of H-1B Applications for FY2010 starting April 1, 2009

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced that it will begin accepting H-1B petitions subject to the fiscal year 2010 (FY 2010) cap on April 1, 2009.  Cases will be considered accepted on the date that USCIS takes possession of the petition; not the date that the petition is postmarked.

The numerical limitation on H-1B petitions for fiscal year 2010 is 65,000.  Additionally, the first 20,000 H-1B petitions filed on behalf of aliens who have earned a U.S. masters’ degree or higher are exempt from the fiscal year cap.


USCIS will monitor the ...<< MORE >>

Posted by Attorney Robert F Mirque Jr at Wednesday, March 25, 2009 8:03 PM | Add Comment

The Basics of Deportation/Removal

When an alien is placed into removal proceedings the wheels of uncertainty begin to spin. Family members are often left in a state of panic, confusion, depression and financial despair and often don’t know who to turn to for help. Getting information or simply trying to locate an alien who has been taken into custody can become time consuming and frustrating.<< MORE >>
Posted by Attorney Robert F Mirque Jr at Tuesday, March 10, 2009 8:49 PM | Add Comment

First Child Naturalized Overseas

Martin Miles Ulsano, age 7, the child of a member of the U.S. Navy, today recited the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony held here in the Chapel of Hope. In doing so, he became the newest citizen of the United States, and the first child naturalized overseas.<< MORE >>
Posted by Attorney Robert F Mirque Jr at Wednesday, March 04, 2009 3:13 PM | View Comments (1) | Add Comment

Premium Processing Service Expanded for Certain Form I-140 Petitions

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will expand Premium Processing Service for designated Forms I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) to include alien beneficiaries who have reached, or are reaching, their limitation of stay in H-1B nonimmigrant status.  Currently, only certain alien beneficiaries who are in H-1B nonimmigrant status at the time of filing may request premium processing for Form I-140. 

Beginning March 2, 2009, USCIS will accept Form I-907 (Request for Premium Processing Service) for alien worker petitions filed on behalf of alien beneficiaries who, as of the date of filing the Form I-907:


Posted by Attorney Robert F Mirque Jr at Friday, February 27, 2009 8:35 AM | Add Comment

Non-Minister Special Immigrant Religious Worker Expiring 03/06/2009

On March 6, 2009, the category covering non-minister special immigrant religious workers will expire. The non-minister religious worker category includes professional or non-professional capacities within a religious vocation or occupation. Therefore, individuals under the non-minister category must adjust their status to permanent residence or be admitted before March 6, 2009. Unless there is a Congressional extension of the expiration date, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will suspend further processing of any pending applications under the non-minister category. The expiring category does not affect individuals applying under the minister category of the program. If the program is extended ...<< MORE >>
Posted by Attorney Robert F Mirque Jr at Monday, February 09, 2009 6:55 PM | Add Comment

SENATE PASSES BILL PROVIDING HEALTH COVERAGE FOR IMMIGRANT KIDS


The House passed this even before the President was sworn in. The bill now brings in a large number of legal immigrant children in to the Children's Health Insurance Program. Pro-immigrant groups are applauding the measure. From a press release from the National Conference of La Raza:



Legal immigrant children in the U.S. are today one step closer to accessing critical health care services. The Senate approved the “Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act,” (SCHIP) a bill that will provide more health insurance opportunities for approximately four million children in the U.S. ...<< MORE >>

Posted by Attorney Robert F Mirque Jr at Friday, January 30, 2009 2:23 PM | Add Comment

Why Do I Need an Immigration Lawyer?

An attorney is trained in understanding and applying laws and regulations. Immigration and nationality laws, regulations, and administrative procedures are extremely complex. Congress and the different federal and state agencies, such as the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, Department of State and Department of Labor are continually enacting and amending regulations and administrative procedures that have far reaching immigration consequences. An immigration attorney will be aware of new and amended laws, regulations, and administrative procedures, thus affording a client the best possible results with his particular case.

Even with today's technology and access ...<< MORE >>

Posted by Attorney Robert F Mirque Jr at Wednesday, January 21, 2009 2:03 PM | Add Comment
Older Posts
Newer Posts
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.