Trow & Rahal, PC

Trow & Rahal, PC Trow & Rahal is a business immigration law firm helping businesses, families, athletes & entrepreneurs.

Attorneys Stephen Trow, Linda Rahal, and Cynthia Hemphill, owners and shareholders of Trow & Rahal, P.C. are widely recognized as leading business immigration attorneys and have a solid reputation within the legal community, as evidenced by their inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America. Their reputation for high ethical standards has earned them recognition in the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register

of Preeminent Lawyers. Having helped clients with their immigration issues for several decades, they know that immigration issues affect many aspects of an individual’s professional and personal life. Developing solutions quickly and effectively can be critical. As your immigration law firm, Trow & Rahal will stay on top of rapidly changing regulations, steer around the roadblocks in the system, and when needed, craft a customized solution to help you cross the finish line and receive the benefits you require.

In the early 1900s, many U.S. border crossings looked dramatically different than they do today. While some major ports...
05/29/2026

In the early 1900s, many U.S. border crossings looked dramatically different than they do today.

While some major ports of entry already had more formal inspection systems, others consisted of little more than a small booth, a gate, or a roadside checkpoint, often with minimal infrastructure and far fewer documentation requirements than modern travelers encounter today.

As automobile travel became more popular, especially during the 1920s and 1930s, cross-border day trips and tourism increased dramatically. During Prohibition specifically, many Americans traveled across the U.S.-Mexico border to visit restaurants, bars, casinos, and entertainment venues where alcohol remained legal.

Border crossings were generally far less standardized than the highly structured ports of entry we recognize today, which now involve extensive inspection systems, advanced security technology, formal documentation review, and significantly higher travel volume.

Over time, evolving immigration laws, growing international travel, changing security concerns, and increased trade transformed border crossings into the far more complex systems used today.

The history of border crossings offers an interesting glimpse into how immigration, travel, and international movement have continued evolving over generations.

Darlene Keju dedicated her life to bringing international attention to the long-term health impacts of nuclear testing i...
05/28/2026

Darlene Keju dedicated her life to bringing international attention to the long-term health impacts of nuclear testing in the Pacific Islands and advocating for Marshallese communities whose experiences had often gone unheard.

Born in the Marshall Islands, Keju later spent nearly two decades studying and training in Hawaii, where she earned degrees in public health and healthcare administration.

She used that education and experience to advocate for communities affected by decades of U.S. nuclear testing conducted in the Marshall Islands between 1946 and 1958.

After returning to the Marshall Islands, Keju became one of the leading voices documenting the lasting medical and environmental consequences experienced by local communities. Her work focused heavily on public health education, women’s health, cancer awareness, and improving healthcare access across Pacific Island populations.

She also helped bridge cultural and medical gaps by working with researchers, physicians, and policymakers to ensure Marshallese voices and experiences were represented in broader public health discussions.

Darlene Keju’s story is a reminder of the many individuals who come to the United States for education, training, and professional development, then use that knowledge to create meaningful change within their own communities around the world.

Her legacy continues to influence public health discussions, Pacific Island advocacy, and community healthcare efforts today.

: Pay Close Attention to Signature Requirements USCIS recently updated its policies regarding signatures on immigration...
05/26/2026

: Pay Close Attention to Signature Requirements

USCIS recently updated its policies regarding signatures on immigration filings, and the consequences of signature mistakes may now extend beyond simple rejection notices.

Under the updated guidance, USCIS may deny certain filings if it later determines a signature is missing, invalid, improperly reproduced, or otherwise does not meet signature requirements, even after the case has already been accepted for processing.

As more immigration filings involve scanned documents, electronically shared forms, and hybrid digital workflows, signature compliance has become increasingly important.

In general, USCIS requires wet signatures or scanned copies of original handwritten signatures for filings.

Petitioners and applicants should not rely on typed names, copied-and-pasted signature images, auto-generated signatures, or other formats that may not satisfy USCIS requirements for the specific filing type.

Petitioners and applications must retain original signed documents when they have filed copies of them, as USCIS may request them at a later stage of the process.

Procedural details may seem minor, but even small filing errors can create significant delays these days, additional costs, requests for evidence, or denials in time-sensitive matters.

Our office is closed today in observance of Memorial Day.We will resume normal business hours tomorrow, Tuesday, May 26....
05/25/2026

Our office is closed today in observance of Memorial Day.

We will resume normal business hours tomorrow, Tuesday, May 26.

Today, we remember and honor the service members who lost their lives in military service to the United States, including the large number of immigrants who have served in the U.S. military.

We hope everyone had a safe and reflective holiday weekend.

Alaska is home to incredible linguistic and cultural diversity, including communities where Indigenous and Pacific langu...
05/22/2026

Alaska is home to incredible linguistic and cultural diversity, including communities where Indigenous and Pacific languages continue to be spoken and preserved today.

More than 20 indigenous languages originate from Alaska, including Yupik, Inupiaq, Tlingit, and Dena’ina. Alongside these languages, Alaska is also home to immigrant and Pacific Islander communities that have helped shape the state’s culture and identity over generations.

In some areas, languages such as Tagalog and Samoan are spoken within homes and communities, reflecting long-standing migration and cultural ties across the Pacific.

The United States has never been culturally or linguistically one-dimensional. Communities across the country continue to carry traditions, histories, and languages from around the world, including in places many may not immediately think of when discussing immigration and diversity.

During Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, it is important to recognize the wide range of cultures, hist...
05/21/2026

During Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, it is important to recognize the wide range of cultures, histories, and immigration stories represented within AAPI communities.

Phil Uipi immigrated to the United States from the Kingdom of Tonga, a small Pacific Island nation made up of more than 170 islands in the South Pacific.

After arriving in the United States, he pursued higher education, earned a law degree, and built a career centered on public service and advocacy.

In 1991, he became the first Pacific Islander elected to the Utah State Legislature. During his time in office, he served as Chair of the Judiciary Committee and focused on issues involving civil rights, voting access, education, and representation for historically underrepresented communities.

His advocacy extended beyond the United States as well. Uipi was involved in pro-democracy efforts connected to Tonga, reflecting a lifelong commitment to civic engagement and public service.

Pacific Islander immigrants are often overlooked in discussions about immigration to the United States, despite the deep cultural, military, educational, and economic contributions these communities continue to make across the country.

Phil Uipi’s story reflects something seen throughout American immigration history: individuals arriving from vastly different backgrounds and experiences who go on to shape the communities around them in meaningful ways.

We are proud to share a meaningful success for one of our long-term clients and their family. After nearly 20 years in t...
05/20/2026

We are proud to share a meaningful success for one of our long-term clients and their family.

After nearly 20 years in the United States, including 18 years in H-1B status, our client and his family have finally secured their green cards.

His case is, in many ways, typical, an EB-2 software engineer from India with a severely backlogged priority date. Yet that “ordinary” story underscores a larger issue: despite doing everything “the right way” including maintaining status and building a life in the United States for nearly two decades, he faced extraordinary delays in obtaining permanent resident ("green card") status.

It has been nearly 10 years since his PERM (EB-2) filing. During that time, our team worked closely with him and his employer through multiple immigrant and nonimmigrant filings, including a strategic downgrade to EB-3 in 2020 during the visa bulletin movement, followed by a re-upgrade to EB-2 in 2022 to help advance his case. Applications to adjust status for his family were also filed during the challenging 2020 “visa bulletin surge” period.

At every stage, we remained committed to providing thoughtful guidance, long-term strategy, and steady support throughout what has been a complex and often uncertain process.

This approval represents more than a legal outcome; it is a life-changing milestone for a family that has spent years contributing to their community and building their future here. We are honored to have been part of their path to permanent residence.

: Your visa expiration date is not always the same as your authorized period of stay in the United States. This is one ...
05/19/2026

: Your visa expiration date is not always the same as your authorized period of stay in the United States.

This is one of the most common areas of confusion in immigration law.

A visa stamp in one’s passport allows a person to get on a plane to travel to the United States. You can think of it as the travel document. Once at the airport in the United States, the person requests entry into the United States showing the correct documents. Once admitted, the length of the authorized stay in the United States is indicated separately through the I-94 record issued at the port of entry.

The I-94 used to be a card that got stapled into a person’s passport when they entered. It is now electronic and foreign nationals must check their I-94 record each time they enter the United States to determine if they were admitted in the correct status and for what duration. The I-94 record can be accessed here https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/home

In some cases, a person’s I-94 expiration date may be different from the expiration date listed on the visa stamp itself. This is an important distinction and often confused. The I-94 controls a person’s status, and the visa stamp allows a person to travel to the United States.

Remaining in the United States beyond the authorized stay listed on the I-94 can create serious immigration consequences, even if the visa stamp in the passport is still valid.

After every international entry, it is important to review your I-94 record carefully and confirm the date and class of admission are correct.

This past weekend, the T&R team participated in the Lawyers Have Heart 10k, 5k, and Fun Walk in support of the American ...
05/18/2026

This past weekend, the T&R team participated in the Lawyers Have Heart 10k, 5k, and Fun Walk in support of the American Heart Association.

We had 16 participants either running or walking the 5K event! One participant ran the 10K, and many brought their families, kids, and dogs!

It was an incredible morning filled with energy, encouragement, and a shared commitment to supporting a cause that impacts so many families and communities.

After the event, we had a delicious team brunch!

We are grateful to everyone who walked, ran, donated, cheered on the T&R team, and helped make this event special. Opportunities like this are a reminder that community impact extends beyond the office.

A special thank you to the American Heart Association for organizing this event each year to raise awareness and critical funding for research, education, and advocacy related to heart disease and stroke – two of the leading causes of death in the United States.

Looking forward to next year! Let us know if you want to join our team!

Many names of cities and places across the United States reflect the languages, cultures, and histories of those who set...
05/15/2026

Many names of cities and places across the United States reflect the languages, cultures, and histories of those who settled there.

Los Angeles comes from Spanish, originally “El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles.”

Des Moines has French roots, reflecting early exploration and settlement.

Illinois is derived from an indigenous word, later adapted through French.

Baltimore was named after an Irish title.

There are also many U.S. towns and cities that share names with foriegn cities, such as Berlin, NH; Paris, TX; Athens, GA, among others.

These names of cities and towns are used every day. They reflect the layers of cultural and linguistic influence that have shaped the United States over time.

Long before immigration became a policy discussion, it was already shaping the map.

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3 Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 610
Bethesda, MD
20814

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Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm

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+12025374830

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