The Law Office of Mana Yegani

The Law Office of Mana Yegani Immigration Lawyer and News Personality- Deportation, Airport Detention, ICE holds, Student and Work Immigration Law

06/09/2026

Can the Supreme Court End Birthright Citizenship?

Birthright citizenship is under review at the Supreme Court right now and every parent needs to pay attention. The government recently argued that an executive order should be allowed to limit citizenship for babies born on U.S. soil. This is one of the biggest immigration cases in decades and it could affect every baby born in this country.

Here is what we know. The 14th Amendment has guaranteed birthright citizenship for over 150 years. If you are born in the United States, you are a citizen. That has been the law since 1868. But a recent executive order attempted to change that and the case has now reached the highest court in the land.

Here is the good news. During oral arguments, several justices including conservatives sounded skeptical of the government's position. The Chief Justice even called parts of the argument "quirky." That is a strong signal but nothing is official until the ruling comes down.

Critical steps you should take right now:

Know your rights: the executive order is currently blocked so birthright citizenship is still the law today.
Stay updated: a major decision from the Supreme Court is expected by the end of June.
Talk to an attorney now: if you are an expectant parent or have questions about your child's citizenship status do not wait.
Gather your documents: keep birth certificates and proof of birth on U.S. soil organized and accessible.
Do not panic: no changes have been made and all legal protections remain in place.

Over 3.6 million babies are born in the United States every year. This ruling could impact every single one of them. Whether you are expecting now or planning for the future, this is the time to understand your rights and prepare.

This is not legal advice.

For consultation call (832) 981-2170.

06/06/2026

Can USCIS Still Hold My Case Because of a Travel Ban?

A federal court just struck down four major USCIS policies that were holding up immigration cases nationwide. If your green card, work permit, naturalization, or asylum case has been stuck, this ruling changes everything for you right now.

Here is exactly what was struck down and what you need to do next.

First: the travel ban hold is gone. If you are from one of the 39 travel ban countries, USCIS can no longer put an indefinite hold on your green card, work permit, or naturalization case. Your application must now be processed under normal rules and normal timelines. No more waiting with no end in sight just because of your nationality.

Second: the global asylum hold has been struck down. USCIS must resume processing all asylum applications immediately. The normal 180 day timeline applies again no matter what country you are from.

Third: if your benefits were already approved, the mandatory review policy is also gone. Your approved benefits stay intact. There will be no mass reopening of closed cases based on nationality.

Fourth: work permits. If your EAD expired because of these delays, you can now file to renew it.

This ruling is nationwide and applies to every pending and future case affected by these policies.

Here is what you need to do right now:

Step one: check the status of your pending immigration case online or with your attorney

Step two: if your EAD expired during these holds, file your renewal immediately

Step three: if your asylum application has had no movement, contact an immigration attorney to confirm processing has resumed

The court made it clear that blanket restrictions like these will not survive a legal challenge. Do not wait. Now is the time to make sure your immigration case is moving forward.

This is not legal advice.

For consultation call (832) 981-2170.

06/05/2026

What Happens If Your Work Permit Expires While Renewing?

Your work permit renewal may no longer protect your job. This is a warning every EAD holder needs to hear right now.

For years, if you filed your EAD renewal on time, your old work permit would automatically extend for up to 540 days. That gave you protection while USCIS processed your new card. You could keep working without worrying about gaps in your authorization.

That automatic extension has now been removed for most renewal categories. This is a massive change that affects millions of people.

Here is what this means for you: if your new EAD is not approved before your current one expires, you legally cannot work. It does not matter if you filed on time. It does not matter if the delay is completely on USCIS. Your work authorization stops the day your card expires.

This change impacts several groups: adjustment of status applicants, asylum applicants, TPS holders, H4 and L2 dependent spouses, and many more.

Here are 3 critical steps you must take now.

Step 1: File your renewal as early as possible. USCIS allows you to submit up to 180 days before your current permit expires.

Step 2: Track your case status weekly. Log into your USCIS account and monitor for processing updates. If you notice unusual delays, take action immediately.

Step 3: Talk to an immigration attorney before your permit expires. A lawyer can file an expedite request or explore alternative options to keep your work authorization active.

The biggest mistake people make is waiting too long to file. Under the old rule, you had a 540 day safety net. That safety net is gone. Processing times now range from 6 to 12 months or longer for many applicants.

If your EAD expires in the next 180 days, file your renewal today. Do not wait. Do not assume USCIS will process it in time.

This is not legal advice.

For consultation call (832) 981-2170.

06/04/2026

What Happens If You Don't Pay the New USCIS Asylum Fee?

Warning: the new USCIS asylum fee is now in effect and missing it could destroy your pending case. A $100 filing fee is now required for all asylum applications. There is also a recurring annual fee of about $102 for every year your case remains pending. This is not optional. This is mandatory and it applies to you right now.

Here is the dangerous part. If you do not pay within 30 days of receiving notice, USCIS has the power to reject your application, cancel your work permit, and even begin removal proceedings against you. That means deportation. There is no fee waiver available for this. None at all.

Many asylum seekers are finding out too late. Some never received a notice in the mail. They only discovered the fee was due by checking the USCIS website on their own. Do not wait for a letter that may never come.

Here is what you need to do right now:

Check your USCIS online account today: log in and verify if your asylum fee is due immediately.

Pay all required fees within 30 days: this includes the $100 filing fee and any $102 annual maintenance fee.

Save every receipt and confirmation number: keep proof of every single payment you make.

Check the USCIS website regularly: future annual fees will also be required as long as your case stays pending.

Speak with an immigration attorney now: get professional guidance if you are unsure about your deadlines or payment status.

This new rule is already affecting thousands of people across the country. Missing this payment is not a small mistake. It can cost you your work permit, your asylum case, and your right to remain in the United States. Act now. Do not wait.

This is not legal advice.

For consultation call (832) 981-2170.

06/03/2026

Is Temporary Protected Status Still Valid for Your Country?

Temporary Protected Status is changing fast and every TPS holder needs this critical update right now. The Supreme Court recently heard arguments about ending TPS for Haiti and Syria with a decision expected by early July. Haiti TPS remains valid under current court orders but that could shift at any moment.

Venezuela is a completely different story. The 2023 TPS designation has effectively ended for most people. However if you received your documents on or before February 5, 2025 with an October 2, 2026 expiration date you still have valid status until then. Do not assume you are covered without checking.

Several other countries have TPS terminations paused by the courts under the new law. But here is what most people do not realize: TPS work permits are now capped at just one year. That means tighter deadlines and more frequent renewals for everyone.

Here is what you must do now: First verify your country's specific TPS ruling because dates are different for every country. Second check your work permit expiration and file your renewal at least 120 days before it expires. Third gather all documents including your most recent EAD, I 94, and approval notices. Fourth consult with an immigration attorney before making any major decisions about your case. Fifth never wait until the last minute because paperwork delays can cost you your status entirely.

The biggest mistake TPS holders make is assuming nothing has changed. Deadlines pass quietly. Status gets lost. One missed renewal can undo years of protection.

This is not legal advice.

For consultation call (832) 981 2170.

06/02/2026

What Are the New Travel Rules for Europe and the UK?

Planning a trip to Europe or the UK? Your passport alone is no longer enough. Two major travel rules changed in 2026 and they affect millions of travelers right now.

First, the UK. Most visitors now need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation, called an ETA. It is not a visa. It is a digital permission linked to your passport, and you must apply before you reach the airport. The fee is now 20 pounds, about 25 dollars. Most people get approved within minutes through the official UK ETA app, but approval can take up to 3 business days. Important: do not wait until the last minute.

One critical detail: your ETA is valid for 2 years. If your passport expires, your ETA stops working and you must apply again on your new passport.

Now Europe. The EU launched the Entry Exit System, known as EES, across 29 countries including France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Greece. Instead of a passport stamp, you now give a facial scan and fingerprints when you arrive. Since the full launch, travelers have reported border waits of 2 to 4 hours at major airports.

Must know action steps:
Apply for your UK ETA now: do it at least 3 days before you fly.
Check your passport today: it must stay valid and match your ETA.
Build in extra time now: do not book tight connections this summer.

Warning: border delays are usually not the airline's fault, so a missed connection may not be covered. Give yourself plenty of buffer.

This is not legal advice.

For consultation call (832) 981-2170.

05/30/2026

Can Undocumented Immigrants Use Zelle or Venmo Now?

Warning: if you are undocumented and use Zelle or Venmo, a new executive order is about to change everything for you. Banks are now being forced to look more closely at accounts held by people without status in the United States. This is something every immigrant family needs to understand right now.

Here is what is changing. Right now you can open a bank account with just your name, date of birth, address, and a foreign passport or consular ID card. But under this new executive order, using a foreign passport or an ITIN number will lower your rating with the bank over time.

If enough red flags stack up, your account gets flagged for something called enhanced due diligence. The triggers include: using an ITIN number, registering with non US identification, receiving repeated payments through Zelle or Venmo, and making frequent cash deposits.

Once your account is flagged, the bank is required by law to investigate. They will ask about your immigration status and your work authorization. If they cannot verify your source of funds, they must either freeze your account or file a suspicious activity report with FinCEN. That is the criminal investigation unit of the Treasury Department.

Here are 3 critical steps you should take now: First, consult with an immigration attorney within the next 30 days to understand your options. Second, gather all documentation proving your legal source of income. Third, review your banking activity and understand what triggers enhanced due diligence.

Over 11 million undocumented individuals in the U.S. could be affected by this change. Do not wait until your account is frozen to take action. Know your rights and protect your finances before this executive order is fully in place.

This is not legal advice.

For consultation call (832) 981-2170.

05/29/2026

Can I Get a Green Card Without Leaving the US?

Yes, you may be able to get a green card without leaving the US if you qualify under one key exception. This process is called adjustment of status, and a new USCIS memo just made it much harder for many applicants. But the same memo points to one group that may still be exempt: people who provide a clear economic benefit to the United States.

This is important news for skilled workers. If you are a physician, a nurse, a STEM professional like an engineer, an AI researcher, or a scientist, you may have a stronger case. The same is true for anyone working in a field where the country needs your skills.

Here is what you can do now:

Step 1: Gather proof of your economic benefit before you file. Include job offers, employer letters, and proof your work serves a U.S. need.

Step 2: Document your credentials clearly. Add degrees, licenses, and any role in a shortage field like healthcare or advanced technology.

Step 3: File while this policy is still active. This guidance may not last long, so timing is critical.

Step 4: Avoid the most common mistake: filing a green card application with no evidence that your skills benefit the United States. A weak filing can lead to delays or denial.

Step 5: Review your visa status and timing with care. One late or missing document can cost you months.

Costs vary by case, and adjustment of status fees can run into the thousands, so plan early. Remember that you have the right to seek legal help and to understand every form before you sign it.

This is not legal advice.

For consultation call (832) 981-2170.

05/28/2026

Can USCIS Take Away My Green Card?

Yes, USCIS can now take away your green card no matter how long you have had it. A brand new unit called the LPR Revocation Unit was just created inside the Tactical Operations Division. This team has one job: going back through old green card applications looking for fraud, misrepresentation or crimes that could make someone ineligible.

This is not a rumor. So far about 3,900 cases have already been scheduled for review. Over 80% were cleared, but 50 cases have already been referred to immigration court. That means real people are now facing removal proceedings over applications they filed years ago.

Here is the part that should concern every green card holder. Once this first batch is done, there are over 10,000 more cases sitting in the queue waiting to be reviewed. That number is only going to grow.

It does not matter if you just received your green card last month or if you have had it for 20 years. They are going back and taking a second look at everything.

Here is what you need to do right now:

Step 1: Pull your original green card application and review every answer you provided. Look for any inconsistencies or errors that could be flagged.

Step 2: Gather all supporting documents from your original filing including tax returns, employment records and any evidence of eligibility.

Step 3: Consult with an immigration attorney immediately if you believe there were any mistakes, omissions or misrepresentations on your application.

Step 4: Do not ignore any notices from USCIS. If you receive a letter about your case being reviewed, respond quickly and get legal help before your deadline passes.

Step 5: Consider applying for naturalization if you are eligible. U.S. citizenship provides significantly stronger protections than a green card.

The biggest mistake people make is assuming their green card is permanent and untouchable. That is no longer the case. Being proactive now could save you from deportation proceedings later.

This is not legal advice.

For consultation call (832) 981-2170.

05/27/2026

What Happens to F1 and J1 Students After 4 Years?

F1 and J1 students could face a major change that limits how long they can stay in the United States. Right now you can remain in the US for the duration of your status. That means as long as your I 20 or DS 2019 is valid you are good. Some students maintain their status for five or even ten years with no issues.

But here is what is happening now. A new proposal would put a four year cap on F1 and J1 status. This is a must know update for every international student in the country right now.

So what does this mean for you? If your program takes longer than four years you would have to apply for an extension. To get that extension you would have to prove you have actually been attending school and have not fallen out of status.

Here are 3 steps you need to take now:

Step 1: Check your I 20 or DS 2019 and confirm your program end date. Know exactly how many years you have left on your current status.

Step 2: Contact your school's international student office within the next 30 days. Ask how this proposed cap could affect your specific program and what documentation you should keep.

Step 3: Save every record that proves you are actively enrolled. Keep transcripts, enrollment verifications, and attendance records. This proof will be critical if you need to apply for an extension.

Warning: students in medical programs, PhD programs, and other long term degrees are most at risk. Falling out of status even briefly can lead to serious consequences including deportation.

One common mistake is waiting too long to prepare. If this cap goes into effect you want your records organized and your extension strategy ready before the deadline hits.

This is not legal advice.

For consultation call (832) 981-2170.

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