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SWAS Immigration FIRM LLC

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Atlanta, GA
SWAS Immigration FIRM LLC

Facing US immigration challenges? Let SWAS Immigration Firm guide you every step of the way.

From uniting families to securing work permits to creating pathways to citizenship, we’re here to help you call this country home. Empowering families, individuals, and businesses to navigate immigration with confidence and build a home where they belong.

09/01/2026

𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐅-𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐍 𝐔.𝐒. 𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐎𝐘𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐈𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍: 𝐃𝐎 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐍𝐄𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐍 𝐈-𝟏𝟒𝟎?

One misunderstanding about employment-based immigration is the idea that self-petitioning means you do not need an I-140.

That is not generally the case.

For certain employment-based categories, you can self-petition, which means you file the immigrant petition for yourself rather than having an employer serve as the petitioner.

For example, eligible applicants in categories such as EB-1A and EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) may self-petition by filing Form I-140.

So think of it this way:

✅Self-petitioning tells you who files the petition.
✅Form I-140 is the immigrant petition being filed.

And self-petitioning does not mean that you automatically qualify. You still have to meet the requirements of the employment-based category you are pursuing.

Considering EB-1A or EB-2 NIW? Our firm can help you assess your eligibility, prepare your self-petition, and navigate the I-140 process. Book a consultation to discuss your options.

08/31/2026

An I-140 approval is an important step, but it does not by itself guarantee immediate green card availability.

Here's why:

✅ I-140 approval: USCIS has approved your employment-based immigrant petition.
✅ Priority date: This date generally determines your place in the visa queue.
✅ Visa availability: An immigrant visa must be available for your category and priority date before you can move to the next stage, subject to the rules that apply to your case.
✅ Adjustment of status or consular processing: Once you are eligible to proceed, you may complete the process through adjustment of status in the United States or immigrant visa processing through a U.S. consulate abroad, depending on your circumstances.

This is why someone can have an approved I-140 and still be waiting years for a green card.

Employment-based backlogs can make the wait especially long for certain categories and countries of chargeability.

If you have an approved employment-based petition and are waiting for your priority date to become current, understanding where you are in the process can help you make informed decisions about your next steps.

08/28/2026

𝐔𝐒𝐂𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐒𝐍'𝐓 𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐖𝐄𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒

A wedding photo can show that you got married. But by itself, it does not tell USCIS everything about your relationship.

In a marriage-based immigration case, USCIS may look at the totality of the evidence to determine whether the marriage is genuine.

That can include evidence such as:

✅ Living arrangements
✅ Joint bank accounts, bills, or other financial responsibilities
✅ Insurance or beneficiary information
✅ Photos and records showing time spent together
✅ Trips and travel history
✅ Communications
✅ Relationships with each other’s family and friends
✅ Other documents that demonstrate your shared life

Not every couple will have the same evidence. For example, newlyweds, couples who live apart because of work, or couples who have different financial arrangements may have fewer traditional documents.

The goal is not to create a “perfect” marriage file. It is to present credible evidence that accurately reflects your relationship and circumstances.

If you are preparing a marriage-based immigration case, knowing what evidence can support your case can make a significant difference.

Need help evaluating your case? Book a consultation with SWAS Immigration Firm.

08/27/2026

𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐁𝐄 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐓 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐅𝐑𝐀𝐔𝐃? 𝐈𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐑𝐀𝐔𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒 𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐃

Think only the person applying for the green card can get in trouble for marriage fraud? Think again.

If someone knowingly participates in or helps facilitate immigration fraud, they may also face serious legal consequences.

That could include people who knowingly:

✅ Enter into a marriage for the purpose of evading immigration laws
✅ Arrange or facilitate a sham marriage
✅ Provide false information or documents
✅ Help create fake evidence to make a marriage appear genuine
✅ Recruit or connect people for fraudulent marriages
✅ Assist with a fraudulent immigration application

The key issue is knowledge and intent. Helping your spouse gather legitimate documents or supporting a genuine marriage is very different from knowingly helping someone deceive immigration authorities.

And the consequences can go far beyond a denied green card. Depending on the conduct and charges involved, people may face criminal prosecution, fines, imprisonment, and serious immigration consequences.

This is one reason you should never agree to “just sign some papers,” provide false information, or participate in an arrangement because someone tells you that it's an easy way to help another person get immigration status.

At SWAS Immigration Firm, we help clients understand the immigration and legal consequences of their circumstances so they can make informed decisions.

📌 This post is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.

08/25/2026

𝟕𝟓-𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐘 𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐀 𝐏𝐀𝐔𝐒𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐂𝐊 𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍: 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐑𝐄𝐅𝐔𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐀𝐒?

A federal court has struck down the 75-country immigrant visa pause and set aside visa refusals based solely on that policy.

But this does not mean every affected applicant will automatically receive a visa.

If your immigrant visa was refused, what happens next depends on the reason for the refusal and the circumstances of your individual case.

Your next steps:

✅ Keep your refusal notice and any correspondence from the consulate.
✅ Review the specific reason listed for your refusal.
✅ Monitor your case and communications from the relevant U.S. embassy or consulate for further instructions.
✅ Do not automatically assume that you need to submit a new application. Your existing case may need to be reconsidered.
✅ Be aware that the government may appeal the ruling or seek to pause its effect, which could affect how quickly affected cases move forward.
✅ If you are unsure how the ruling affects your case or what you should do next, consider getting case-specific legal advice.

The court's ruling is significant, but it does not guarantee a visa or eliminate other legal requirements that may apply to your case.

📌 This post provides general information and does not constitute legal advice.

08/24/2026

𝐁𝐄𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐈𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐋𝐀𝐖𝐘𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐒

A person can look and sound like a real immigration lawyer or accredited representative online and still be someone you should not trust with your case.

Recent reporting shows that individuals are impersonating real immigration attorneys by using their names, photos, signatures, websites, and social media profiles.

Some scammers have even used AI-generated videos and images to make the impersonation more convincing.

That means a professional-looking website, social media profile, or video call is not enough to confirm that you are dealing with the real attorney or representative.

Before you hire an immigration lawyer or accredited representative or send money:

✅ Verify that the attorney is licensed to practice law or that the representative is authorized to provide immigration legal services.
✅ Look up the attorney through the appropriate state bar or verify the representative's accreditation.
✅ Independently verify the law firm's or organization's contact information.
✅ Be cautious about unusual payment requests or pressure to pay immediately.
✅ Do not send sensitive immigration documents or personal information until you have verified who is handling your case.

Immigration scams can cost you more than money. They can also expose sensitive personal information and potentially affect your immigration case.

Take time to verify who you are dealing with before trusting someone with your immigration case.

📌This post provides general information and does not constitute legal advice.

08/20/2026

Think the public charge determination is only about how much money you make? Think again.

Under the new USCIS guidance, officers must consider five statutory factors when determining whether certain green card applicants are likely to become a public charge:

✅ Age
✅ Health
✅ Family status
✅ Assets, resources, and financial status
✅ Education and skills

USCIS will consider these factors as part of the totality of the circumstances. Officers may also consider other relevant factors and evidence when assessing whether an applicant is likely to become a public charge.

That means one factor does not necessarily determine the outcome by itself.

For example, an applicant's financial situation is important, but USCIS will also consider factors such as the applicant's age, health, family circumstances, education, and skills.

USCIS may also consider certain means-tested public benefits under the new guidance, particularly benefits received on or after September 18, 2026.

The new guidance takes effect September 18, 2026.

If you are applying for a green card and are concerned about how your circumstances could be evaluated under the public charge rules, an immigration attorney can help you understand what factors may be relevant to your case.

📌This post provides general information and does not constitute legal advice.

08/20/2026

The new public charge guidance does not apply to every immigrant.

USCIS identifies several categories that are not subject to the public charge ground of inadmissibility, including:

✅ Asylees and refugees
✅ T nonimmigrants, including certain victims of human trafficking
✅ U nonimmigrants, including certain victims of qualifying criminal activity
✅ VAWA self-petitioners
✅ Applicants seeking Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
✅ Special immigrant juveniles

The new guidance takes effect September 18, 2026 and applies to certain Form I-485 applications submitted on or after that date.

If you are preparing a green card application and are unsure whether the public charge ground applies to you, an immigration attorney can help you understand how the rules apply to your specific immigration category and circumstances.

📌This post provides general information and does not constitute legal advice.

08/19/2026

𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐄 𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐆

USCIS has issued new guidance on how it will determine whether certain green card applicants are likely to become a public charge.

Effective September 18, 2026, USCIS says officers will consider the totality of the circumstances, including:

✅Age
✅Health
✅Family status
✅Assets, resources & financial status
✅Education & skills

USCIS may also consider certain means-tested public benefits received on or after September 18, 2026.
Not every immigrant is subject to the public charge ground of inadmissibility.

📌This post provides general information and does not constitute legal advice.

Address

4751 Best Road, Suite 400I
Atlanta, GA
30337

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 6pm
Tuesday	9am - 6pm
Wednesday	9am - 6pm
Thursday	8:45am - 5:30pm
Friday	8am - 4:30pm
Saturday	8am - 5:15pm

Website

http://www.swasfirm.com/

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