Blogs

Sep
29

The Death and Legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Battle Ahead

Part 2 of 2. Just days before she died, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said to her granddaughter that “[her] most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new President is installed.”[1]  Despite her characteristic fervency, it appears that her dying wish will not be granted. As the country mourned Justice Ginsburg’s […]

Sep
29

The Death and Legacy of a Judicial Icon: RBG passes away at 87

Part 1 of 2. On Friday, September 18, 2020, the Supreme Court, and the world at large, lost a legal, cultural, and feminist icon. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, lionized for her prolonged battle to promote gender equality through the legal system, died from complications from metastatic cancer of the pancreas. She was 87. The Supreme […]

Sep
17

Federal Court of Appeals Rules Trump Admin Can End Temporary Protected Status for Many

On Monday, September 14, 2020, a Federal appeals court ruled to uphold the Trump administration’s decision to end humanitarian protections for immigrants from 4 countries. These protections, granted under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program, provide a stay of deportation and a work permit to citizens of El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Sudan. The decision […]

Sep
14

USCIS Huge Fee Increase effective October 2, 2020

On August 3, 2020, USCIS confirmed that they would significantly overhaul their fee system. After months of dialogue, USCIS published the Final Rule which will take effect on October 2, 2020. These changes were instituted to ensure that USCIS will remain financially solvent through the economic downturn. The changes adjust fees by a weighted average […]

Sep
8

Biden’s Immigration Plan offers alternative to Trump’s nativism

In anticipation of the contentious 2020 Presidential election, Democratic nominee Joe Biden has released his immigration plan. In stark contrast to the anti-immigrant rhetoric of the Trump campaign, Biden’s plan is decidedly pro-immigrant—touting the United States as a “Nation of Immigrants.”   The plan goes to great length to distance Biden from the sitting President; Biden […]

Aug
28

Nigeria–Trump Travel Ban: What you need to know

 Due to a recent presidential proclamation from the Trump administration, immigrant visas from Nigeria, Myanmar, Eritrea and Kyrgyzstan can no longer be issued starting February 22, 2020. Additional restrictions have also been placed on nationals from Tanzania and Sudan, who will not be eligible to receive green cards through the Diversity Visa lottery program. The proclamation takes […]

Aug
19

U.S. State Department: Drastic decrease in demand for U.S. visas till 2022

According to an internal memo signed by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the U.S. State Department expects a significant drop in visas issued in the coming years due to COVID-19.  ProPublica has seen this memo. According to the news outlet, the decrease, if it happens, will come from few people wanting to travel to the […]

Aug
14

The Department Of Homeland Security Has Proposed Changes To The Affidavit Of Support, Form I-864. This Is What You Need To Know If You Are In The Process Of Petitioning For A Family Member

Background: An Affidavit of Support, Form I-864, is required for most family-sponsored immigrants and some employment-based immigrants. The Affidavit of Support creates a contract between the sponsor and the U.S. government, whereby, the sponsor agrees to provide financial support to the immigrant and that the sponsor would be liable for any reimbursement obligation incurred as […]