Law Offices of Vega and Associates, PLLC

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Law Offices of Vega and Associates, PLLC The Law Offices of Adan G.

Vega & Associates, PLLC is a boutique law firm, located in Houston, TX, devoted and dedicated exclusively to the practice of immigration law.

Medicaid Immigrant Eligibility Restrictions Now in EffectUnder the 2025 reconciliation law, new Medicaid and CHIP eligib...
10/06/2026

Medicaid Immigrant Eligibility Restrictions Now in Effect

Under the 2025 reconciliation law, new Medicaid and CHIP eligibility restrictions for many lawfully present immigrants take effect October 1. This narrows who qualifies for coverage and can affect green card holders and other lawfully present clients who rely on these programs.

Full guide in the comments 👇

The New Visa Bulletin Is Out, Here's What Actually ChangedThe State Department released the first visa bulletin of fisca...
10/06/2026

The New Visa Bulletin Is Out, Here's What Actually Changed

The State Department released the first visa bulletin of fiscal year 2027 this month. The changes are modest, but if you've been waiting on a priority date, modest still matters.

Most family-based dates moved forward or held steady. But EB-2 and EB-3 dates moved backward for most countries, including Mexico.

Your priority date is the number that decides everything here. If it falls before the new cutoff for your category and country, you may be able to file for adjustment of status or move forward with your immigrant visa case this month.

Full guide in the comments 👇

USCIS Just Raised Fees for Several Immigration FilingsUSCIS published a new fee notice for fiscal year 2027, tied to the...
10/05/2026

USCIS Just Raised Fees for Several Immigration Filings

USCIS published a new fee notice for fiscal year 2027, tied to the H.R. 1 reconciliation law. The increase covers asylum applications, employment authorization requests, and TPS filings like Form I-821. The new amounts apply to filings postmarked on or after October 16, 2026: TPS Form I-821 $520, first asylum, parole, or TPS EAD $570, annual asylum fee $105.

• A postmark before October 16 keeps you at the current fee.
• TPS renewals especially need attention, since renewal windows are short.
• This change affects cost, not whether you qualify.

The new USCIS fees raise what you pay, not whether your case succeeds. Planning ahead protects your budget and your timeline.

Full guide in the comments.

What actually happens once removal proceedings startGetting a notice to appear from immigration court is one of the scar...
09/10/2026

What actually happens once removal proceedings start

Getting a notice to appear from immigration court is one of the scariest pieces of mail a family can receive. It means the government has started the legal process to remove someone, and the clock starts ticking the moment it arrives.

Master calendar hearings are short, but they set the pace for everything after. Cancellation of removal, asylum, and waivers all need different kinds of proof. Judges decide based on the record built before the hearing, not on sympathy alone.

An immigration attorney's real job is turning a family's story into evidence a judge can act on. That means gathering documents, preparing testimony, and knowing exactly what a specific Houston courtroom expects to see.

Full guide in the comments 👇

Voluntary Departure or Deportation? Know the Difference Before Your Court DateIf you're facing immigration court in Hous...
09/09/2026

Voluntary Departure or Deportation? Know the Difference Before Your Court Date

If you're facing immigration court in Houston, you may hear about voluntary departure as an option. It sounds simple, leave on your own terms instead of getting a removal order. But the choice comes with real tradeoffs, and a deadline that doesn't bend.

Voluntary departure can protect future green card options.
Missing your departure deadline can trigger a 10 year bar.
Some cases are stronger fighting in court than leaving voluntarily.

A removal order follows you for years and can block your return. Voluntary departure, done correctly, helps you avoid that outcome, but only with the right preparation and timing.

Full guide in the comments.

Senators Are Pushing Back on a Fee Hike for Citizenship ApplicantsThis week, a group of U.S. senators asked DHS to recon...
09/01/2026

Senators Are Pushing Back on a Fee Hike for Citizenship Applicants

This week, a group of U.S. senators asked DHS to reconsider a plan that would raise naturalization fees and cut fee waivers for citizenship applicants. If you're planning to file for citizenship, here's what you need to know.

• No final fee amount has been set.
• DHS hasn't confirmed a start date.
• Current fee waiver rules still apply for now.

If you think you qualify for a fee waiver, check your eligibility today. Waiting until DHS finalizes a new rule could mean paying more than you have to.

Full guide in the comments 👇

USCIS's public charge rule is changing on September 18If you're applying for a green card, this update matters. Starting...
08/31/2026

USCIS's public charge rule is changing on September 18

If you're applying for a green card, this update matters. Starting September 18, USCIS officers can weigh a broader part of your own benefit history when they decide if you might become a public charge.

• Any means-tested benefit you receive on or after September 18 can now factor into your case.
• Previously, only cash assistance and long-term institutionalization counted.
• The change replaces the framework USCIS has used since 2022.

For families who've used public benefits, or think they might need them, this is worth a real conversation with an immigration attorney before you file.

Full guide in the comments 👇

That old conviction might still be blocking your green cardA lot of people assume a closed case, an expunged record, or ...
08/27/2026

That old conviction might still be blocking your green card

A lot of people assume a closed case, an expunged record, or an old plea deal stops mattering once time passes. Immigration law works differently. USCIS pulls certified court records and checks them against federal rules that have nothing to do with how your state labeled the charge.

Some categories cause more damage than others. Moral turpitude crimes, drug convictions, and aggravated felonies carry the harshest consequences. A single ma*****na conviction can still trigger a federal bar, even in states where it's legal now.

The good news: several waivers exist for people with a criminal record, including one for a single case of simple possession. Building a strong case just takes the right documentation, early.

Full guide in the comments 👇

What actually triggers the unlawful presence barA lot of people assume overstaying a visa is the mistake. It's not, at l...
08/25/2026

What actually triggers the unlawful presence bar

A lot of people assume overstaying a visa is the mistake. It's not, at least not by itself. The unlawful presence bar only kicks in once you leave the United States after building up unlawful presence past a certain point.

More than 180 days but under a year of unlawful presence, then departure, means a 3-year bar.
365 days or more, then departure, means a 10-year bar.
Staying inside the U.S. doesn't set the bar off on its own.

This matters most when you're deciding between adjusting status here or leaving for a visa interview abroad. That single choice, made without checking your unlawful presence total first, is how routine trips turn into years apart from family.

Full guide in the comments 👇

USCIS Gave Salvadoran TPS Holders a New Work Authorization DateUSCIS posted a quiet update this month extending work aut...
08/23/2026

USCIS Gave Salvadoran TPS Holders a New Work Authorization Date

USCIS posted a quiet update this month extending work authorization for certain Salvadoran TPS holders through September 9, 2026. There was no formal announcement, just a notice on the agency's own site (uscis.gov).

A few things worth knowing:
The update extends existing EADs (categories A-12/C-19) for pending renewals, not new applications.
Eligible holders receive a USCIS notice that must be shown with the expired card.
Employers should ask for the matching USCIS notice, not just the card date.

If you hold Salvadoran TPS status, treat September 9, 2026 as your real planning date. Confirm your paperwork now, gather your renewal documents, and don't wait until the deadline is close to start.

Full guide in the comments 👇

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122 Tuam Street
Houston, TX
77006

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

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