Immigration Lawyer Ted Huang

08/15/2026

Important update for DACA recipients and anyone using advance parole: the Board of Immigration Appeals’ Matter of Delcarmen-Lara (Aug 13, 2026) changes what counts as a departure and can cause unlawful presence bars to apply. If you’ve traveled or plan to travel while pursuing adjustment of status, read this concise breakdown of the risks and next steps.

Read more: https://wix.to/DWgedao

On August 13, 2026, the Board of Immigration Appeals issued Matter of Delcarmen-Lara, 29 I&N Dec. 830 (BIA 2026), overruling more than a decade of precedent on what counts as a departure from the United States for purposes of the unlawful presence bars. The decision has direct consequences for DACA....

08/08/2026

New blog: A Pending Application Does Not Protect You From Arrest — a recent ICE detention at a Houston airport shows that having a pending asylum application (or entering on the Visa Waiver Program) does not guarantee immunity from arrest. Know your rights and when to seek legal help. Read more: https://wix.to/6cGf2NP
https://wix.to/HBPtl10

08/06/2026

USCIS adjustment of status interviews used to be routine — but now ICE has been making arrests at or right after some interviews. If you or a loved one have a history of unlawful entry, visa overstay, or prior immigration contacts, read our quick blog entry on this important issue: https://wix.to/BNZmGZf

Stay informed. Know your rights. Share with someone who’s preparing for an I-485 interview.
https://wix.to/XETWOk1

08/03/2026

Big change coming Sept 18, 2026: the government is rescinding the 2022 public charge rule and replacing the standard that affects green card applicants and their families. If you or a loved one has a pending or upcoming immigration case, this update could change eligibility assessments. Read our breakdown of what to expect and how to prepare: https://wix.to/UtHx0tZ

07/21/2026

DHS has finalized a major rule change affecting F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors.

The rule ends the "Duration of Status" (D/S) system that has governed student and exchange visitor admissions for decades. It takes effect September 15, 2026.

Key changes: Admission will now be tied to a fixed period matching the length of the academic program, capped at four years — even for programs like PhDs that often run longer. Students needing additional time must file an Extension of Stay directly with USCIS. Schools and designated school officials will no longer be able to extend student status on their own. English-language training programs will be capped at 24 months in the aggregate.

The post-completion grace period is reduced from 60 days to 30 days.
Changing majors, programs, or schools will be subject to tighter restrictions, particularly early in a program.

This applies to F-1 students, F-2 and J-2 dependents, and J-1 exchange visitors, including researchers, scholars, physicians, and au pairs.

Students currently admitted under D/S will not automatically lose status on September 15 — DHS has built in transition provisions — but everyone in F-1 or J-1 status should identify their program end date now and confirm how the new rule applies to their timeline.

This is one of the most significant changes to student and exchange visitor visa policy in decades, shifting oversight from institutions to federal immigration authorities. If you are an international student, scholar, or designated school official, this is worth discussing with your international student office or immigration counsel.

This post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Contact an immigration attorney to discuss how these changes apply to your specific circumstances.

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07/18/2026

Big news for anyone filing a green card application through a family member. DHS just announced it is getting rid of the 2022 public charge rule, effective September 18, 2026.

Right now, USCIS looks at a narrow list of factors when deciding if someone might become too dependent on government help. Under the new rule, officers go back to weighing the whole picture, including your age, health, income, education, and family situation.

This also changes how the I-864, the Affidavit of Support a sponsor signs, is treated. Today, a sufficient I-864 carries strong weight. Starting in September, it still matters, but it will no longer automatically count in your favor. It becomes just one factor among many.

Many people are asking if this affects them if they already used public benefits like Medicaid, food stamps, or housing assistance. So far, it looks like the new rule targets benefits received on or after September 18, not benefits used under the current rule. But timing still matters. Cases decided before September 18 should follow today's rules. Cases decided after that date fall under the broader standard, where non-cash benefits can be considered.

If your family has a green card case in progress, now is a good time to talk to an immigration attorney about how these changes could affect you.
https://wix.to/HjPvosH

07/08/2026

There was a recent change with how the government handles adjustment of status, and if you are hoping to get your green card while staying inside the United States, take note. Back in May, USCIS put out a new policy memo saying that adjustment of status is not a right but a form of discretionary relief, meaning officers do not have to approve it just because someone is eligible on paper. The memo makes clear that the normal path for getting a green card is supposed to be consular processing, which means leaving the country and applying through a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Under this new guidance, staying in the U.S. and adjusting status will only be allowed in what USCIS is calling extraordinary circumstances, and officers are being told to weigh every factor in a case before deciding whether someone deserves that exception. This is a real shift from how things have worked for years, where adjustment of status was the common and expected route for a lot of people already living here.

If you have a green card case in progress or are thinking about starting one, now is the time to sit down with an immigration attorney and go over your specific situation before you make any moves.

07/04/2026

Happy birthday America!🗽

06/09/2026

If someone you know must report to an ICE office, knowing what to expect can ease stress and help protect their rights. Our new post breaks down: what an ICE check‑in is, who must attend, what to bring, and tips to prepare. Read the full guide: https://wix.to/bF4CDXu

Hashtags:
https://wix.to/JPj3K7x

If someone you know has to report to an ICE office, here's what that means and what to expect.What is an ICE check-in?It's a required appointment where immigrants who are not in detention have to show up in person at a local ICE office. Think of it like checking in with a parole officer. You're livi...

05/24/2026

USCIS has updated its guidance on Adjustment of Status—calling it an extraordinary, discretionary relief rather than an automatic right. If you’re pursuing a green card inside the U.S., this means officers may apply greater scrutiny to applications. Read our breakdown of the policy change, what it means for applicants, and practical steps to protect your case: https://wix.to/kZsgCQO

Key takeaways: deeper discretion, heightened documentation, and strategic planning. Share with someone who needs to know.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently released a policy memorandum that changes how Adjustment of Status (AOS) applications are reviewed. This update reminds applicants that obtaining a green card inside the United States is a discretionary benefit, not an automatic right. T...