The Law Offices of Laura Adjangba

The Law Offices of Laura Adjangba The Law Offices of Laura Adjangba specializes in Immigration Law. Please be advised, we do not respond to Direct Messages on Facebook. Thank You.

Please contact us through our website. The Law offices of Laura Adjangba is committed to Excellence. We have successfully represented clients from 45 countries. We have been providing expert immigration advice and services for the past 20+ years!

04/30/2025

(Source: USCIS)

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to reach the cap for the additional 19,000 H-2B visas made available for returning workers for the early second half of fiscal year (FY) 2025 with start dates from April 1 to May 14, 2025, under the H-2B supplemental cap temporary final rule (FY 2025 TFR). April 18, 2025, was the final receipt date for petitions requesting supplemental H-2B visas under the FY 2025 early second half returning worker allocation.

09/25/2024

(Source: USCIS)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today posted a Federal Register notice establishing procedures for Liberians covered by Deferred Enforced Departure to apply for Employment Authorization Documents that will be valid through June 30, 2026.
President Joe Biden issued a memorandum on DED for Liberians on June 28, 2024, deferring through June 30, 2026, the removal of certain Liberians who were eligible for DED under the president’s 2022 memorandum, including individuals who have been continuously present in the United States since May 20, 2017.
Through this Federal Register notice, USCIS is automatically extending through June 30, 2026, the validity of DED-related EADs bearing a Category Code of A11 and a Card Expires date of March 30, 2020; Jan. 10, 2021; June 30, 2022; or June 30, 2024.
There is no application for DED. Nationals of Liberia, and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Liberia, are covered under DED based on the terms described in the president’s directive. The Department of Homeland Security may provide travel authorization at its discretion to those covered under DED for Liberians. Individuals who wish to travel outside of the United States may file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. Individuals can also apply for an EAD by filing Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. The Federal Register notice provides additional information about DED for Liberia and how eligible individuals may apply for a DED-based EAD or travel authorization.
USCIS adjudicates each EAD application fairly, humanely, and efficiently on a case-by-case basis to determine if applicants meet all standards and eligibility criteria. Over the past year, USCIS has reduced EAD processing times overall and streamlined the adjudication process. More information about fees for DED-based EADs is available on the USCIS website.
For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn

08/08/2024

(Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Biden-Harris Administration Executive Order

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced actions to promote family unity in the immigration process, consistent with the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to keeping families together. This announcement utilizes existing authorities to promote family unity, but only Congress can fix our broken immigration system.

Under current law, noncitizens married to a U.S. citizen may apply for lawful permanent residence through their marriage to a U.S. citizen. However, to apply for lawful permanent residence, many noncitizens must first depart the United States and wait to be processed abroad, resulting in a prolonged, potentially indefinite, period of separation from their U.S. citizen family members and causing tremendous hardship to all concerned. Consequently, these families live in fear and face deep uncertainty about their future.

To address this challenge, DHS will establish a new process to consider, on a case-by-case basis, requests for certain noncitizen spouses of U.S. citizens who have lived in the United States for 10 years or more; do not pose a threat to public safety or national security; are otherwise eligible to apply for adjustment of status; and merit a favorable exercise of discretion. If eligible, these noncitizens will be able to apply for lawful permanent residence without having to leave the United States. DHS estimates that approximately 500,000 noncitizen spouses of U.S. citizens could be eligible to access this process; on average, these noncitizens have resided in the United States for 23 years. Approximately 50,000 children of these spouses also will be eligible for this process. Noncitizens who pose a threat to national security or public safety will not be eligible for this process, as aligned with our immigration enforcement priorities. If a noncitizen poses a threat to national security or public safety, DHS will detain, remove, or refer them to other federal agencies for further vetting, investigation, or prosecution as appropriate.

Today’s actions build on unprecedented steps by the Biden-Harris Administration to strengthen family unity including by implementing family reunification parole processes for nationals of Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Ecuador; updating and modernizing the Cuban and Haitian family reunification parole processes; leading the Family Reunification Task Force to reunify nearly 800 children with their families who were separated; and establishing country-specific parole processes for certain nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV) who have a U.S.-based supporter.

Eligibility and Process
To be considered on a case-by-case basis for this process, an individual must:

Be present in the United States without admission or parole;
Have been continuously present in the United States for at least 10 years as of June 17, 2024; and
Have a legally valid marriage to a U.S. citizen as of June 17, 2024.
In addition, individuals must have no disqualifying criminal history or otherwise constitute a threat to national security or public safety and should otherwise merit a favorable exercise of discretion.

Noncitizen children of potential requestors may also be considered for parole under this process if they are physically present in the United States without admission or parole and have a qualifying stepchild relationship to a U.S. citizen as of June 17, 2024.

In order to be considered for parole, an individual will need to file a form with USCIS along with supporting documentation to show they meet the requirements and pay a fee. Further information regarding eligibility and the application process, including a notice in the Federal Register, will be published in the near term. USCIS will reject any filings or individual requests received before the date when the application period begins later this summer.

Upon receipt of a properly filed parole in place request USCIS will determine on a case-by-case basis whether a grant of parole is warranted and whether the applicant merits a favorable exercise of discretion. All requests will take into consideration the potential requestor’s previous immigration history, criminal history, the results of background checks and national security and public safety vetting, and any other relevant information available to or requested by USCIS. USCIS has strong processes in place to identify and address potential fraud, which will be applied here to ensure the integrity of this program.

Other Action
In addition, DHS will join the Department of State in an effort to more efficiently facilitate certain employment-based nonimmigrant visas for eligible individuals, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and undocumented noncitizens, who have graduated from an accredited U.S. institution of higher education. By clarifying and enhancing the existing process, the Department of State’s policy will give U.S. employers increased confidence that they can hire the talent they need, and that they will be able to quickly get to work. DHS will implement the Department of State’s policy update.

05/23/2024

Immigration News - May 23, 2024

1. What We Know about a Potential “Parole in Place” Program
Amid multiple reports that the Biden Administration is weighing potential executive actions that could provide temporary legal status and work permits to undocumented immigrants who are married to U.S. citizens, AILA, American Families United, and the American Business Immigration Coalition have collaborated on a video emphasizing that no official plan, protections, or eligibility requirements have been announced. The video aims to ensure families are informed and protected from false promises and notarios who may claim they can apply for any “Parole in Place” or similar program. AILA provides sample social media posts that can be used to help spread the video and awareness.

2. Kurzban's Presales Open on June 1 — AILA Members Save 25%
Authored by renowned legal expert Ira Kurzban, the 19th edition of Kurzban’s Immigration Law Sourcebook provides a concise history of immigration law, expert analysis of current legislation, and serves as a comprehensive reference for cases, statutes, regulations, and more. Sign up to be notified when presales open on June 1!

3. Practice Pointer: Using ICE’s Electronic G-28 Platform
AILA provides a practice alert regarding ICE's ERO E-File, which launched on February 28, 2024, and is an online system for attorneys to electronically file Form G-28 with ICE. This platform reflects efforts to modernize the agency’s systems and the historical practice of ICE generally accepting unsigned G-28s to commence representation of a detained individual pending a physical signature.

4. Save the Date: AILA's 2024 Paralegals' Conference and Webcast
This August 5-6, AILA is hosting a two-day, in-person conference in Las Vegas and simultaneous webcast that will provide paralegals and support staff with insights into the complexities and practicalities of immigration law, preparing them to effectively assist their supervising attorneys and clients. Save the date! Also, make sure that you learn more about our new AILA Affiliated Paralegals program, launching June 3.
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5. USCIS Opens Additional San Francisco Asylum Office Location
USCIS announced the opening of an additional temporary San Francisco Asylum Office in Oakland, California. Effective May 15, 2024, asylum applicants under the jurisdiction of the San Francisco Asylum Office may receive an interview notice to appear at the asylum office located in Oakland instead of San Francisco. This additional location increases the San Francisco Asylum Office’s capacity to schedule and conduct affirmative asylum interviews more efficiently.

6. Think Immigration: Reflecting on AILA’s 2024 National Day of Action
In this Think Immigration blog post, AILA New England leaders Miki Matrician and Anthony Pawelski describe how their chapter participated in AILA’s National Day of Action and highlighted the need to build relationships with congressional offices to ensure they understand the importance of immigration to the economy and communities.

7. Migration Policy: Immigrant Veterans in the United States
Migration Policy reports on the impact that immigrant veterans make in the United States, and how they have been a constant presence in the armed forces since the nation’s founding. Pick up a copy of Margaret Stock’s Immigration Law & the Military to learn more about this complex field of immigration law. The War Horse also reports that thousands of Afghans who helped the United States over the years are trapped in immigration limbo after fleeing their country due to the Taliban takeover.

8. Borderless Magazine – Life In Legal Limbo: Navigating Chicago’s Immigration Court Alone
Borderless Magazine reports that a scarcity of immigration attorneys in Chicago amid a wave of new arrivals has made finding a lawyer an insurmountable task. To make sure that you are staying on top of this crisis, don't miss AILA's Annual Conference which will feature the session "Rising to the Occasion: Local Responses to Migrant Busing and the Need for a More Robust Federal Response". Register today! Find this story and more in AILA’s daily immigration news clips.

03/14/2024

USCIS Streamlines Process for Refugee Employment Authorization Documents

03/12/2024

USCIS has begun implementing a streamlined process for Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, to provide Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) more efficiently to eligible refugees after they are admitted into the United States. This streamlined process shortens the wait time for an EAD to approximately 30 days instead of several months. All individuals admitted into the United States as refugees on or after Dec. 10, 2023, will receive EADs pursuant to this new process.
Under U.S. law, a refugee is legally authorized to work as soon as they arrive in the United States. Obtaining proof of this work authorization in the form of an EAD, however, was previously a cumbersome paper-based process that led to undue delays. The new process is fully automated and no longer requires refugees to apply for an EAD, allowing for more efficient processing and adjudication of Form I-765 and quicker delivery of EADs after we approve them.
With this new process, USCIS will digitally create a Form I-765 for arriving refugees and begin adjudicating it as soon as they are admitted into the United States. After USCIS approves a refugee’s Form I-765, refugees will generally receive their EAD within one to two weeks. USCIS will mail their EAD via U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail to their address of record. The time frame for a refugee to receive their EAD card may vary, depending on delivery times. Please allow a total of 30 days before inquiring.
USCIS will also electronically provide the Social Security Administration with the information required to assign a Social Security number and mail a Social Security card to the refugee.
USCIS recognizes that documents such as an EAD and Social Security card are critical to a newly arrived refugee’s ability to integrate into the United States. This new process is the result of coordination across the U.S. government to support the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and refugee integration. USCIS is committed to streamlining and digitizing our processes to make them more efficient. We launched this process on Dec. 10, 2023, following a successful trial period.
This process does not apply to following-to join refugees admitted into the United States based on an approved Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition. Additionally, refugees seeking a replacement or renewal EAD will still need to complete and submit Form I-765.

10/26/2023

Immigration News - October 26, 2023

USCIS Extends Parole by Two Years for Certain Afghan Nationals Under Age 14
Release Date
10/26/2023
USCIS announced today that we will consider two-year extensions of the initial parole period on a case-by-case basis for certain Afghan nationals who:

Were paroled into the United States between July 30, 2021, and Sept. 30, 2022, with an OAR or PAR class of admission;
Were under 14 years old as of Sept. 26, 2023; and
As of Sept. 26, 2023, have not yet filed:
Form I-131, Application for Travel Document (to apply for re-parole);
Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status; or
Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal.
Because of their age, and because many of these minors may be in the United States without a parent or legal guardian, they may lack the capacity, access to resources, and general ability to navigate a complex immigration system. If they do not maintain parole, they will lose their eligibility for essential benefits, such as those offered by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement. Losing parole could also mean they fail to maintain a lawful status for purposes of adjusting their status to lawful permanent resident in the future.

These actions are part of the federal government’s ongoing commitment to support Afghan nationals who worked alongside the United States in Afghanistan as Afghans continue to seek safe resettlement in the United States.

09/26/2023

Immigration News - September 26, 2023

U.S. Judge Rules Against Biden's DACA Regulation

A U.S. judge last Wednesday ruled against Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) which is a program offering deportation relief and work permits to immigrants who arrived to the U.S. illegally when they were children, known as “Dreamers.” Although the Biden administration tried to strengthen the program’s standing with a new regulation, Texas-based U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Hanen found that the regulation issued by Biden did not remedy legal deficiencies that led him to finding DACA unlawful in 2021. The judge declined to order an immediate end to the program and the protections it offers. The ruling is expected to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Hanen’s order has extended the current injunction that had been in place against the program, which bars the government from approving any new applications, but its protections will still exist for current recipients.

• USCIS to celebrate Constitution Day. USCIS celebrated Constitution Day and Citizenship Day by welcoming more than 6,900 new citizens in over 130 naturalization ceremonies between Sept. 17 and Sept. 22.

• Mexican families crossing the border. There have been tens of thousands of Mexican family members crossing the southern border over the recent months. This increase may be due to Biden’s decision to end migrant family detention and launch the CBP One App.

• H-2 temporary visa programs. The Department of Homeland Security has taken steps to strengthen protections for temporary workers through the H-2A temporary agricultural and the H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker programs. DHS has proposed providing greater flexibility and protections for participating workers.

• Latino voters. A majority of Latino voters are hoping the Biden administration will take a more aggressive approach to provide immigration relief to those living in the U.S. without legal status and secure the southern border.

• New spending plan. The House GOP has unveiled a new short-term spending plan that applies conservative priorities such as funding cuts and stricter border policies.

• Biden officials respond to NY migrant crisis. Last week, the White House detailed some steps it is taking to help New York handle its influx of migrants. The Biden administration said it will be focusing on helping migrants who are already able to obtain work permits.

Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month!!
09/15/2023

Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month!!

08/04/2023

Immigration News - August 4, 2023

Judge Rules Against the Biden Administration’s New Asylum Policy.

A federal judge in San Francisco struck down the Biden administration's strict asylum policy last week. Judge Jon S. Tigar of the U.S. District Court in Northern California called the new asylum restrictions “both substantially and procedurally invalid.” The judge gave the administration a 14-day stay on the ruling before it takes effect, resulting in the Justice Department immediately issuing a notice to appeal the decision in a higher court. The administration is fighting to keep its new asylum policy which started in May, requiring asylum-seekers to schedule an appointment for an asylum hearing at a port of entry along the border or to show they had already sought and been denied asylum in a country they traveled through to get to the U.S.
Read More. . .

Our Analysis: This ruling has been a major blow to the Biden administration since there has been a decrease in illegal crossings since the implementation of this policy. Immigrant advocacy groups who sued the administration argue this policy violates immigration law, which says foreigners who reach U.S. soil are entitled to request asylum, regardless of how they entered the country. Civil rights groups are supporting the judge’s decision but are concerned some migrants remain vulnerable as long as the rule is still in place.

• H-1B visa lottery. USCIS will hold a second lottery for H-1B visas to meet an annual cap for fiscal year 2024. An initial lottery was held in March and the agency announced another lottery is necessary to meet the fiscal year 2024 cap.

• Visa denials. A new report has been released from the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration and Shorelight Education. The data shows international students from African nationals face a higher likelihood of visa rejection.

• Mayorkas impeachment efforts build. House Republicans are accusing Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas of mismanaging the southern border and misrepresenting migration levels.

• Abbott’s border policies. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is pushing the limits of state power by using razor wire along the banks of the Rio Grande to deter illegal migrant crossing.

• Family reunification parole process. The Department of State’s National Visa Center will begin issuing invitations under the family reunification parole processes for Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras on July 31,2023.

• Child labor. The Labor Department has reported illegal child labor is up by 44% since this time last year. The Biden administration is facing criticism of underage migrants working dangerous jobs.

Happy Fourth of July!
07/03/2023

Happy Fourth of July!

05/02/2023

Immigration News - May 2, 2023

• Citizenship and naturalization for adopted children. USCIS has updated its policy guidance to clarify how the U.S. approaches citizenship and naturalization provisions applicable to adopted children. The update is to help families understand the requirements so adoptees can get U.S. citizenship and documentation of citizenship.

• Immigrant crime victims. There have been recent delays in issuing U visas, taking years for this relief to be approved. These visas are given to immigrant crime victims who cooperate with law enforcement.

• Afghan refugees. Although there is bipartisan support for a path to permanent residency, thousands of Afghan refugees remain in a legal limbo in the U.S..

• Tracking devices for migrants. ICE announced they will be testing smartwatch-like devices to track migrants who are released from federal immigration custody. This is a wrist monitor which ICE plans to use to track migrants waiting for their immigration hearing in the U.S.

• U.S. urges organizations to sponsor immigration. The U.S. is aiming to have more organizations sponsor immigrants from Cuba and other countries as part of Biden’s new parole program. One of the conditions of the parole program is to have a U.S. sponsor before migrating to the country.

• Deportation flights to Cuba. The U.S. has sent its first deportation flight to Cuba since 2020. The deportation flight transported 40 Cubans that were apprehended while on boat and 83 who were detained at the southern border.

04/27/2023

Immigration News - April 27, 2023

Expedited Screening Pilot Program.

The U.S. is testing a new approach to expedite asylum screenings at the southern border. The screenings will be conducted in large U.S. Customs and Border Protection temporary facilities with phone lines to execute “credible fear hearings.” This trial run will be limited to a small number of people and is part of preparations for the end of the pandemic-era border policy known as Title 42. Department of Homeland Security officials have said they will begin working with a legal services provider to make sure someone will be present to represent asylum-seekers at their initial screenings. CBP limits detention to 72 hours, which will be the time in which the screenings will be completed.
Read More. . .

Our Analysis: The expedited screening pilot program may become an efficient way to handle the anticipated end of Title 42, which is planned to end on May 11. The pilot program will hopefully be able to address the anticipated influx of migrants after Title 42 is lifted. A potential issue with the expedited screenings may be that they will rush the asylum process by trying to execute the hearings within the 72 hours CBP typically holds migrants. Some advocates have argued that this new pilot program appears similar to the controversial “Prompt Asylum Claim Review” and “Humanitarian Asylum Review Process” from the Trump administration in 2019. Under those screening programs, less than 10% of asylum-seekers were found to have credible fears that allowed them to stay in the U.S.

• H-2B Petitions. USCIS will begin accepting petitions for workers for the late second half of fiscal year 2023, requesting employment start dates from May 15, 2023, to September 30, 2023 under the H-2B supplemental cap temporary final rule.

• Immigrants sue ICE. Immigrants that previously and currently are detained at the Orange County Jail in Goshen, New York filed a lawsuit against ICE and Orange County officials. The complaint alleges the facility had harmful conditions and maltreatment.

• CBP One app. Despite concerns regarding the technical issues with the CBP One app, the Biden administration has continued to defend the use of the app, arguing it is a way to maintain access to an overwhelmed U.S. asylum system.

• Migrant centers in El Paso. There has been an increase in the number of migrants in federal custody in El Paso, reaching historic highs. Officials believe the record highs are attributed to rumors of U.S. leniency in wake of the Juarez fire.

• Chinese migrants. There has been a growing number of Chinese immigrants crossing into the U.S. without documentation. Over the past five months, U.S. CBP reported at least 4,300 Chinese undocumented migrants have been apprehended crossing the southern border.

• Families separated at the border. It has been discovered that a significant number of U.S. born citizen children were separated from their parents under the Trump administration’s zero tolerance policy. The policy made migrants' parents be criminally prosecuted and sent to jail for illegally crossing the border.

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