Law Offices of Meri S. Ponist, PC

06/03/2026

One of the biggest misunderstandings about the K-1 fiancé visa is the 90-day rule. Many couples believe they must file their Form I-485 adjustment package within 90 days of arriving in the U.S.

Learn how USCIS reviews K-1 adjustment cases after marriage, including the 90-day rule, immigration intent issues, discretionary review, and filing risks.

06/01/2026

When facing deportation in immigration court, you may be presented with a critical choice: fight the case to the end, or request Voluntary Departure [INA § 240B]. While both outcomes require you to leave the United States, a formal deportation order creates massive statutory hurdles, whereas voluntary departure can preserve your future path to a green card or visa.

Learn the long-term immigration consequences of voluntary departure versus removal orders, including reentry bars, future visa eligibility, and strategic considerations in deportation proceedings.

05/29/2026

For highly skilled physicians, researchers, and engineers, the annual H-1B cap lottery is a major roadblock. However, institutions of higher education and certain connected organizations can bypass the lottery altogether through the H-1B cap exemption [8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(8)(ii)(F)].

Learn how USCIS reviews H-1B cap-exempt employers, affiliated nonprofit entities, and institutional structures involving universities and research organizations.

05/27/2026

Many lawful permanent residents walk into their citizenship interview expecting a routine ceremony, only to be hit weeks later with a devastating denial notice. What they don't realize is that the N-400 interview is often the moment USCIS digs up your entire immigration history revisiting decades-old visa applications, border records, and tax histories that were never questioned during earlier stages.

Learn what happens after a naturalization denial, including N-336 administrative review requests, federal court litigation, and strategic considerations after an N-400 interview denial.

05/26/2026

On May 21, 2026, USCIS published a new policy memorandum, through which it has been officially confirmed that a Green Card application (Form I-485) is a type of “extraordinary form of relief” and it is a matter of administrative discretion.

Although this memorandum does not change the legal eligibility criteria for Green Card applicants, it nevertheless instructs USCIS officers to screen applications with extreme caution and apply their own discretionary judgment; as a result, applicants must now clearly prove why their application should be considered a positive or favorable example in the area of officers’ exercise of discretion.

In order to be considered for a Green Card, it is now necessary to submit extensive evidence along with your application. Through this evidence, you must present your special rights or claims (equities), positive aspects of family relationships, and history of immigration status; alongside this, proof of your good moral character and all other relevant matters must be presented.

If you have any questions regarding this new policy memorandum, please contact our office at (212) 219-7626.

২০২৬ সালের ২১শে ম, USCIS একটি নতুন নীতি-সংকন্ত স্মারকলিপ প্রকাশ করেছে, যার মাধ্যমে আনুষ্ঠানিকভাবে নিশ্চিত করা হয়েছে যে, গ্রীন কার্ডের আবেদন (ফর্ম আই-৪৮৫) হলো এক ধরনের “অসাধারণ প্রতিকার” (extraordinary form of relief) এবং এটি একটি প্রশাসনিক বিবেচনার বিষয়।

যদিও এই স্মারকলিপিটি গ্রিন কার্ড আবেদনকারদের জন্য আইনগত যোগ্যতার শর্তাবলি পরিবর্তন করে না, তবুও এটি USCIS কর্মকর্তাদের নির্দেশ দেয় যেন তারা আবদনগুলো অত্যন্ত সতর্কতার সাথে বিবেচনাবোধ প্রয়োগ করে যাচাই-বাছাই করেন; এর ফলে আবেদনকারীদের এখন স্পষ্টভাবে প্রমাণ করতে হবে যে, কেন তাদের আবেদনটি কর্মকর্তাদের বিবেচনাবোধ প্রয়োগের ক্ষেত্রে একটি ইতিবাচক বা অনুকূল দৃষন্ত হিসেবে বিবেচিত হওয়া উচিত।

গ্রিন কার্ডর জন্য বিবেচিত হওয়ার লক্ষ্যে, এখন আপনার আবেদনের সাথে বপক প্রমাণাদি জমা দেওয়া আবশ্যক। এই প্রমাণাদির মাধ্যমে আপনাকে আপনার বিশেষ অধিকার বা দাবিগুলো (equities), পরিবারিক সম্পর্কের ইতিবাচক দিকসমূহ এবং অভিবাসন মর্যাদার ইতিহাস তুলে ধরতে হবে; পাশাপাশি আপনার উত্তম নৈতিক চরিত্রের প্রমাণ এবং অন্যান্য সকল প্রাসঙ্গিক বিষয়াদিও উপস্থাপন করতে হবে।

এই নতুন নীতি-সংক্রান্ত স্মারকলিপি সম্পর্কে আপনার যদি কোনো প্রশ্ন থাকে, তবে অনুগহ করে আমাদের অফিসের সাথে যোগাযোগ করুন এই নাম্বার এ (212) 219-7626.

05/26/2026

Stuck in the green card backlog? Strategic maneuvering between EB-2 and EB-3 could slash years off your wait time.

Learn how EB-2 and EB-3 downgrade and upgrade filings affect priority date retention, adjustment timing, and employment-based green card strategy during Visa Bulletin retrogression.

05/22/2026

Many individuals wrongly assume they can present new evidence or re-tell their story to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). In reality, if your trial attorney failed to explicitly object to an error during court, that argument is considered legally "waived" and cannot be raised for the first time on appeal.

Learn how the Board of Immigration Appeals reviews immigration cases, including standards of review, credibility findings, transcript disputes, and preservation of error during removal proceedings.

05/20/2026

Words can protect you or deport you. How the REAL ID Act weaponized the "small details" in asylum cases.

Learn how the REAL ID Act affects credibility determinations in asylum cases, including inconsistencies, corroborating evidence, interpreter problems, and immigration court strategy.

05/18/2026

If you’ve been waiting years for your green card, a new job offer can feel like a lifeline—but moving too soon could reset your "clock" to zero.
The good news? AC21 Portability allows you to switch employers without losing your place in line, provided:
✅ Your I-485 has been pending for 180 days or more.
✅ Your new job is in the "same or similar" occupational field.

Learn how AC21 portability allows certain green card applicants to change employers without restarting the process, and what risks to avoid.

05/15/2026

Mergers and acquisitions require thorough immigration due diligence to manage successor liability for I-9 violations and ensure continuity for foreign national employees on visas, such as H-1B or L-1. Effective, early analysis of visa sponsorship and Labor Condition Application (LCA) compliance prevents post-closing disruptions and legal exposure.

Understand how immigration compliance risks impact mergers and acquisitions, including I-9 liability, visa sponsorship continuity, and successor obligations.