Virtual Office Attorney

After fourteen years, a client recently completed his journey to citizenship.

Fortunately for the client, he was able to interview and be sworn in later that day in Dallas.  He interviewed and passed his tests in the morning.  Then, he was told to return in the afternoon to take the oath.  After a ceremony lasting less than one hour, he was a new United States citizen.  "God Bless the USA!"

After reading this article, I am glad that he didn't live in the jurisdiction of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago or Detroit federal courts.

Kudos to Dallas & Texas USCIS officials for making the interview process quick and professional.  That's customer service.  

See the link below:   

Report Finds Some Federal Judges Put Off Swearing-in New Citizens - washingtonpost.com.

I almost forgot, the blog turned one earlier this month.

Due to a recent settlement of a class action lawsuit filed by Peter Schey, amnesty is now open to many who entered the country on a valid visa but fell out of legal status between 1982 and 1988.  However, immigrants must show that their shift from legal to illegal status was "known to the government."  Showing that shift to illegal status was "known to the government" just got a little easier for thousands.

See the article here: 

Settlement opens up amnesty for tens of thousands of immigrants - Los Angeles Times.

See the link here:

CBP Offers Tips to Sun Bowl Visitors Planning Travel to Mexico as Part of Bowl Game Experience - CBP.gov.

See the link here:

CBP Announces Changes for Expedited Border-Crossing Program for Truckers - CBP.gov.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today changes to the H-2A regulations that will streamline the hiring process of temporary and seasonal agricultural workers. 

See the link here:  Press Room.

USCIS has announced a new rule to crime victims to adjust status to that of legal permanent resident.  This rule applies to T & U visa holders.  

“T” visa is a nonimmigrant visa for people who are victims of human trafficking.    The “U” visa is a nonimmigrant visa for victims of certain crimes who assist government officials in the investigation of the criminal activity.

USCIS can adjust the status of up to 5,000 “T” visa holders annually. This numerical limit does not apply to family members of the principal “T” nonimmigrant status holder.  There is no numerical limit on adjustment of status for “U” nonimmigrants.

See the link here:

USCIS Publishes New Rule for Nonimmigrant Victims of Human Trafficking and Specified Criminal Activity.

Here is the New York Times Editorial about Janet Napolitano.....it appears that this media outlet agrees with what the Los Angeles Times (and other media) has written about the Arizona Governor and what she might mean to immigration in the U.S. if she becomes the head of the Department of Homeland Security. 

Editorial - A Cool Head on Immigration - NYTimes.com.

I saw this story on the tv,  but I didn't know the finder/teen was a immigrant to the United States.  See, contrary to the anti-immigrant position/beliefs there ARE many honest, hard-working, non-criminal immigrants.  In fact, honest, hard-working and non-criminal describes most immigrants.  See the link here:

Local News | Federal Way teen finds $10,000 at work; turns it in | Seattle Times Newspaper.