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Lapyte Law Group

Useful information and most recent updates on immigration law. I am a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

In 2009, I graduated from the Chicago-Kent College of Law with a Master of Law degree which opened a path for me to become an attorney in the United States. Having been licensed in the State of New York, I practice immigration and nationality law nationwide.

09/30/2026

USCIS has increased scrutiny on Form N-400 naturalization applications, with field investigations and tighter reviews actively in place.

Your tax record directly impacts how USCIS evaluates your Good Moral Character.

✔️ What you need to know:
• File on time, without delays: Relying on extensions or late filings can raise red flags during eligibility reviews.
• Stay fully paid up: Timely payments and clear compliance records are critical before submitting your application.
• Heightened investigations: Field checks and strict compliance audits are back in focus across all N-400 cases.

Keep your records clean, file on time, and consult an immigration attorney or tax professional before you apply.
Save this post for tax season and share it with anyone preparing to apply for citizenship.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This post is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

ImmigrationUpdate

09/08/2026

Planuojančius įgyti JAV pilietybę, kviečiame lankyti Pasaulio lietuvių centre vyksiančius pasiruošimo JAV pilietybės egzaminui kursus!

🗓 Kursai vyks antradieniais, nuo rugsėjo 22 d. iki lapkričio 10 d.
🕡6:30 v.v.
📍Pasaulio lietuvių centre, konferencijų kambaryje (14911 127 th Street, Lemont)

Kursų metu Jūs:
☑️ užsipildysite formą JAV pilietybės egzaminui laikyti;
☑️ su lektore išsinagrinėsite klausimus, užduodamus egzamino metu;
☑️ susitiksite su advokate, kuri konsultuos Jums rūpimais klausimais;
☑️pasiruošite interviu.

Kursų kaina – $220. Susidomėjusius kviečiame registruotis tel. (630) 257-8787.

❗️Šiuo metu kvietimų laikyti pilietybės egzaminą tenka palaukti. Tačiau laukimo laiką galima išnaudoti prasmingai – ramiai ir užtikrintai pasiruošti egzaminui bei interviu, kad atėjus svarbiai dienai jaustumėtės kuo geriau pasirengę!
Kviečiame pradėti ruoštis jau dabar!📖

09/07/2026

🇺🇸 Many of whom came from far away with little more than hope and determination.

Every day, I have the honor of standing alongside immigrants, families, and workers who give their all to their communities, fighting to ensure their rights, dignity, and futures are protected.

09/02/2026

🚨 If you are sponsoring a family member for a green card, USCIS has introduced a major change that takes effect immediately.

Here is what every sponsor and applicant needs to know:
⚖️ Direct Credit Access:
Under the newly released Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support), sponsors and household members explicitly authorize USCIS to obtain credit reports and financial history directly from consumer reporting agencies.

📉 Beyond Just Tax Returns:
While meeting the federal poverty guidelines via W-2s and tax transcripts is still essential, USCIS can now inspect overall liabilities, debt levels, and financial standing.

🔒 Watch Out for Credit Freezes:
If your credit bureau file has a security lock or credit freeze, USCIS may be unable to complete verification, leading to processing delays or requests for action.

📄 Zero Grace Period:
Submitting an outdated form version can lead to an immediate rejection of your application packet. Always ensure your filing uses the latest active edition directly from USCIS.

💼 Sponsoring a spouse, parent, or family member? Our team is here to help you navigate every step of the family-based immigration process smoothly.

📲 Save this post for your filing checklist, and tap the link in our bio to schedule a consultation with Laura Lapyte.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This post is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

08/26/2026

⚠️ DON'T TRAVEL IF YOUR CASE IS PENDING

• Remember: TSA, ICE, and USCIS all work under the same agency (DHS).

• Domestic travel: Airports and border areas have active CBP and ICE presence. A case filing receipt or pending application notice does not grant legal immigration status or protect you from being detained by ICE.

Do not risk your immigration status for a trip. Always talk to a licensed attorney before traveling anywhere.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This post is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

08/21/2026

How does the USCIS travel rule actually work?

Here is the legal breakdown in simple terms:

⏱️ More than 180 days of unlawful presence: Leaving triggers a 3-year bar from returning to the U.S.
1 year or more of unlawful presence: Leaving triggers a 10-year bar.

📌 Previously, the Arrabally rule protected Advance Parole travelers from these bars. Now that this protection has been overturned, anyone who triggers the bar must apply for and obtain an official unlawful presence waiver before re-entering.

Waivers are not automatic and they take years to process.

More importantly, not everyone is eligible for a waiver because it requires proving extreme hardship to certain qualifying relatives

⚠️ Disclaimer: This post is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

08/06/2026

🚨 URGENT TRAVEL ALERT: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

With ICE operating heavily around airports, travel hubs, and USCIS offices, protect yourself and your loved ones by knowing what to do if stopped:

🔹 YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT: You do not have to answer questions about your citizenship or status. Clearly state: "I choose to remain silent."

🔹 ASK IF YOU ARE FREE TO GO: Say, "Am I free to leave?" If they say yes, calmly walk away.

🔹 DO NOT CONSENT TO SEARCHES: Unless they have a judge-signed warrant, you do not have to let them search your bags or phone. Say: "I do not consent to a search."

🔹 DEMAND A LAWYER: If detained, immediately state: "I want to speak to an attorney and I will not answer questions without counsel."

✈️ If you have pending immigration cases or expired documents, carefully evaluate travel risks right now.

Share this post to keep our community safe! 📢

⚠️ Disclaimer: This post is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

07/23/2026

🚨 IMPORTANT IMMIGRATION UPDATE: New Public Charge Rule

A major policy shift regarding self-sufficiency for green card applicants takes effect on September 18, 2026.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has officially rescinded the 2022 Biden-administration rule, bringing back stricter guidelines for public charge determinations.

What is Changing?
🔹 Broader Officer Discretion: The narrow definition of public benefits under the previous rule has been removed. USCIS officers will return to the "totality of the circumstances" test.

🔹 Evaluated Factors: Officers will weigh a comprehensive look at your profile, including your:
• Age & Health
• Family Status
• Assets, Resources, & Financial Status
• Education & Skills (including work history and English proficiency)
• Any other relevant case-specific facts

What to Expect: Increased Scrutiny
📌 Applicants filing on or after September 18, 2026, should expect a much closer review of their financial circumstances.
📌 Expect higher evidentiary standards to prove clear financial self-sufficiency.
📌 A revised version of Form I-485 will accompany this rollout—older editions submitted on or after the effective date will be rejected.

Planning to apply?
Timing matters. Be sure to consult with a qualified immigration attorney to understand how these updates impact your specific case.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This post is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

07/14/2026

Do you really need an attorney at your immigration interview? 🏛️⚖️

There is a major misconception that an immigration lawyer is just there to sit quietly and observe. If that’s what your attorney is doing, you’re missing out on the critical protection you’re paying for.

Here is what having professional representation actually looks like during your interview:

✅ Active Advocacy: We are there to ensure the law is applied correctly. If an officer asks an improper, badgering, or irrelevant question, we intervene immediately.

✅ Clarification & Context: If a question is confusing or could be misinterpreted, we ensure the record reflects the accurate intent and context before you answer.

✅ Evidence Management: We ensure your supporting documentation is organized and presented effectively, preventing unnecessary confusion or requests for further evidence (RFE).

✅ Rights Protection: We are your shield against intimidation or procedural errors that could jeopardize your case.

An immigration interview is a high-stakes legal proceeding, not just a casual conversation. Having an expert in the room changes the dynamic of the entire process.

Don’t go in alone. Protect your future. ✈️🇺🇸

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220 North Green Street
Chicago, IL
60607

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Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	10am - 6pm

Website

http://www.LapyteLawGroup.com/

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