Garcia Immigrant Advocacy - A Immigration Assistance Provider

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01/16/2013

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01/15/2013

PROCESO I-601 PERDON

Esta explicación del proceso I-601 perdón (exención de causal de inadmisibilidad) es breve y fácil de comprender.

Primero, el formulario I-130 o I-129F debe ser llenado con los documentos requeridos, como identidade, mas el pago de un impuesto. Estos pueden ser llenados en el Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración (CIS, en sus siglas en ingles) “caja de seguridad” (lockbox, en sus siglas en ingles) o en el despacho correspondiente del CIS. La aprobación de esta puede tomar desde dos meses hasta un año.

Segundo, una vez la aplicación I-130 o I-129F es aprobada el caso es adelantado en el NVC (Centro Nacional de Visas) con el formulario I-130s o en el consulado con el formulario I-129Fs. Hay más formularios y documentos requeridos que deben ser completados y entregados (Para el caso del formulario I-130 las aplicaciones correspondientes son D-230 y, la I-864 como Declaración de Apoyo; para la aplicación I-129F los formularios necesarios pueden variar extensamente) acompañadas de sus tarifas respectivas. El numero de formularios que son requeridos o que deben ser completados varia dependiendo del lugar donde usted solicita dichas aplicaciones, y/o si usted necesita más Declaraciones de Apoyo I-864.

Tercero, una vez que estos formularios son procesados usted será citado para la primera entrevista en el consulado. En México usted tiene un examen médico en un dispensario 2 días antes de su cita y el costo puede variar entre US$100 y US$400, dependiendo del tipo de tratamiento o inmunizaciones necesarias. Hay otros consulados que requieren que se hagan el examen medico en horarios y fechas diferentes.

Cuarto, la primera entrevista es asignada dependiendo donde y como sea determinada A) si el extranjero es elegible inmediatamente para una visa, B) si el extranjero es elegible de de llenar una exención, o C) si el extranjero no es elegible de ninguna otra manera.

Cuándo alguien es inadmisible pero elegible de solicitar una exención el consulado proveerá (o debe proveer) instrucciones en cómo llenar la exención I-601. (Nota: ¡Hay veces en las que el consulado puede cometer errores en cuanto quien es inadmisible o elegible, lo cual puede causar problemas!)

En México, actualmente, la segunda cita toma de 6 a 8 semanas después de la primera, aunque este tiempo puede variar. En algunos países una exención puede ser llenada en el momento de la entrevista por la visa. En otros países hay reglas de cuando uno puede llenar dichos documentos.

En la segunda cita usted debe entregar su paquete completo de la I-601 adjunto con su respectiva tarifa (e I-212 u otro perdón se necesario); cada consulados tiene diferentes reglas y maneras de cómo pagar dicho impuesto. En México usted también debe pagar US$8 honorario de servicio de encomienda (DHL, en sus siglas en ingles). El numero de envió de su paquete que usted recibirá le dirá si su caso ha sido aprobado o referido a la cartera de casos o solicitudes pendientes (backlog). (Si su caso ha sido referido a la cartera de solicitudes pendientes (backlog) no quiere decir que su caso ha sido denegado. Vea la información referente a los casos de carteras pendientes (backlogged cases). En otros países usted tendrá que esperar a que el consulado le adjudique o le informe a usted o su abogado en cuanto a la decisión acerca de su caso. Hay actualizaciones que pueden ser hechas si hay cambios en su situación antes que la exención sea adjudicada.

01/11/2013

http://youtu.be/Qj0HN4zPLU0

Immigration Attorney/Lawyer Carl Shusterman (Former INS Attorney 1976-82) discusses the requirements for applying for cancellation of removal in Immigration ...

01/09/2013

Secretary Napolitano Announces Final Rule to Support Family Unity During Waiver Process

Released: Jan. 2, 2013
Contact: DHS Press Office, (202) 282-8010

WASHINGTON— Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today announced the posting of a final rule in the Federal Register that reduces the time U.S. citizens are separated from their immediate relatives (spouse, children and parents), who are in the process of obtaining visas to become lawful permanent residents of the United States under certain circumstances. The final rule establishes a process that allows certain individuals to apply for a provisional unlawful presence waiver before they depart the United States to attend immigrant visa interviews in their countries of origin. The process will be effective on March 4, 2013 and more information about the filing process will be made available in the coming weeks at www.uscis.gov.

“This final rule facilitates the legal immigration process and reduces the amount of time that U.S. citizens are separated from their immediate relatives who are in the process of obtaining an immigrant visa,” said Secretary Napolitano.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) received more than 4,000 comments in response to the April 2, 2012 proposed rule and considered all of them in preparing the final rule.

“The law is designed to avoid extreme hardship to U.S. citizens, which is precisely what this rule achieves,” USCIS Director Mayorkas said. “The change will have a significant impact on American families by greatly reducing the time family members are separated from those they rely upon.”

Under current law, immediate relatives of U.S. citizens who are not eligible to adjust status in the United States to become lawful permanent residents must leave the U.S. and obtain an immigrant visa abroad. Individuals who have accrued more than six months of unlawful presence while in the United States must obtain a waiver to overcome the unlawful presence inadmissibility bar before they can return to the United States after departing to obtain an immigrant visa. Under the existing waiver process, which remains available to those who do not qualify for the new process, immediate relatives cannot file a waiver application until after they have appeared for an immigrant visa interview abroad and the Department of State has determined that they are inadmissible.

In order to obtain a provisional unlawful presence waiver, the applicant must be an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen, inadmissible only on account of unlawful presence, and demonstrate the denial of the waiver would result in extreme hardship to his or her U.S. citizen spouse or parent. USCIS will publish a new form, Form I-601A, Application for a Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver, for individuals to use when applying for a provisional unlawful presence waiver under the new process.

Under the new provisional waiver process, immediate relatives must still depart the United States for the consular immigrant visa process; however, they can apply for a provisional waiver before they depart for their immigrant visa interview abroad. Individuals who file the Form I-601A must notify the Department of State’s National Visa Center that they are or will be seeking a provisional waiver from USCIS. The new process will reduce the amount of time U.S. citizen are separated from their qualifying immediate relatives. Details on the process changes are available at www.regulations.gov

Official U.S. government site. Download Forms FREE. Learn how to file. Get information on citizenship, green cards, work visas, E-Verify and more.

12/05/2012

SCHOOL RECORDS TO DOCUMENT ELIGIBILITY
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

Applicants may request documentation for purposes of demonstrating that:

(1) They were present in the United States on June 15, 2012.
(2) They have continuously resided in the U.S. for at least five years prior to June 15, 2012 and were present in the U.S. on June 15, 2012; and
(3) They are currently in school, have graduated from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or are honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. Coast guard or the U.S. Armed Forces.

Who is considered to be “currently in school” under the guidelines?

To be considered “currently in school” under the guidelines, the person must be enrolled in a public or private elementary school, junior high or middle school, high school, or secondary school.

What documentation may be sufficient to demonstrate graduation from high school?

Documentation sufficient to demonstrate that the person has graduated from high school may include, but is not limited to, a high school diploma from a public or private high school or secondary school, or a recognized equivalent of a high school diploma under state law, including a General Education Development (GED) certificate, certificate of completion, a certificate of attendance, or an alternate award from a public or private high school or secondary school.

What documentation may be sufficient to demonstrate current enrollment in school?

Documentation sufficient to demonstrate that the person is currently in school may include, but is not limited to evidence of enrollment in a public or private elementary school, junior high or middle school, high school or secondary school. Such evidence of enrollment may include: acceptance letters, school registration cards, letters from school or program, transcripts, report cards, or progress reports showing the name of the school or program, date of enrollment, and current educational or grade level, if relevant.

12/05/2012

The first wave of illegal immigrants who applied for deferred action under President Barack Obama's policy are receiving their papers to stay.

12/05/2012

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program has granted over 53,000 requests for protection from deportation since the government began accepting applications in August.

12/05/2012

ACCION DEFERIDA AND CRIMINAL RECORD UPDATE

What is a “felony”?

For purposes of the deferred action initiative, a felony is any federal, state, or local criminal offense punishable by imprisonment for more than one year. Thus, offenses that are considered misdemeanors under state or local law may qualify as felonies if the maximum punishment is more than a year in prison.

What is a “misdemeanor”?

For purposes of the deferred action initiative, a misdemeanor is any federal, state, or local offense punishable by more than five days but one year or less in jail.

What is a “significant” misdemeanor?

DHS will deem significant any misdemeanor for which an individual received a sentence of more than 90 days in jail, not including suspended sentences and time held pursuant to an immigration detainer. Regardless of the sentence imposed, DHS will also deem significant any misdemeanor involving burglary, domestic violence, sexual abuse or exploitation, unlawful possession of fi****ms, driving under the influence or drug distribution or trafficking.

Are there any exceptions to the criminal grounds of ineligibility?

Yes. Minor traffic offenses will not be considered misdemeanors under the initiative, even if punishable by more than five days in jail. In addition, convictions for immigration-related offenses created by state laws (e.g. Arizona SB 1070) will not be considered. Finally, expunged and juvenile convictions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

10/28/2012

VICTIMS OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY: U Nonimmigrant Status

Congress created the U nonimmigrant visa with the passage of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (including the Battered Immigrant Women’s Protection Act) in October 2000. The legislation was intended to strengthen the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking of aliens and other crimes, while also protecting victims of crimes who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse due to the crime and are willing to help law enforcement authorities in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity. The legislation also helps law enforcement agencies to better serve victims of crimes.

You may be eligible for a U nonimmigrant visa if:

You are the victim of qualifying criminal activity.

You have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of having been a victim of criminal activity.

You have information about the criminal activity. If you are under the age of 16 or unable to provide information due to a disability, a parent, guardian, or next friend may possess the information about the crime on your behalf (see glossary for definition of ‘next friend’).

You were helpful, are helpful, or are likely to be helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of the crime. If you are under the age of 16 or unable to provide information due to a disability, a parent, guardian, or next friend may assist law enforcement on your behalf.

The crime occurred in the United States or violated U.S. laws
You are admissible to the United States. If you are not admissible, you may apply for a waiver on a Form I-192, Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a Non-Immigrant.

Qualifying Criminal Activities
Abduction
Abusive Sexual Content
Blackmail
Domestic Violence
Extortion
False Imprisonment
Female Ge***al Mutilation
Felonious Assault
Hostage
In**st
Involuntary Servitude
Kidnapping
Manslaughter
Murder
Obstruction of Justice
Peonage
Perjury
Prostitution
R**e
Sexual Assault
Sexual Exploitation
Slave Trade
Torture
Trafficking
Witness Tampering
Unlawful Criminal Restraint
Other Related Crimes

To petition for a U nonimmigrant status, submit:
Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status
Form I-918, Supplement B, U Nonimmigrant Status Certification, on which a law enforcement official confirms that you were or will likely be helpful in the prosecution of the case. A personal statement describing the criminal activity of which you were a victim. Evidence to establish each eligibility requirement

10/27/2012

APPLYING FOR GREEN CARD BASED ON MARRIAGE TO U.S. CITIZEN?

As if getting married isn’t stressful enough, the process to obtain permanent residence for one’s spouse can take it to an entirely different level. Follow these simple tips, however, and you should be able to navigate the process in no time.

Do
•document your application thoroughly
•bring updated documents to the interview
•bring a photo album
•make sure your tax returns are accurate
•request an interpreter

Don't
•enter into a fraudulent marriage
•send originals
•miss the interview
•mail without being able to track it
•worry about giving the “wrong” answer