ELLINA LAW FIRM

ELLINA LAW FIRM South Dakota Immigration Attorney, Family Law Attorney, Estate Planning & Housing (Landlord-Tenant) offers legal services led by a first-generation Attorney

DON'T WORRY -- WE WILL FIGHT THIS -- BUT FOR NOW, FYI:May 21, 2026 USCIS’s new memo says adjustment of status (obtaining...
05/22/2026

DON'T WORRY -- WE WILL FIGHT THIS -- BUT FOR NOW, FYI:

May 21, 2026 USCIS’s new memo says adjustment of status (obtaining a green card while remaining in the United States) is a discretionary benefit. Under the memo, approval may be granted only in exceptional circumstances, while many applicants could instead be required to depart the U.S. and complete immigrant visa processing through consular processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their country of origin) #нашивсша

In the new BIA order of April 24, 2026, the Board sent the case back for a do-over because (1) the judge’s spouse public...
04/26/2026

In the new BIA order of April 24, 2026, the Board sent the case back for a do-over because (1) the judge’s spouse publicly advocated on behalf of the DACA recipient while the case was pending, which raised concerns of potential bias and undermined the appearance of impartiality required in fair proceedings, and the judge refused to recuse himself, and (2) the judge failed to consider all the facts of the case presented—WHICH THEY MUST DO IN EVERY CASE —and not just the existence of DACA. So, the case is a procedural mess, not a legal one! The Dreamer still has a chance to win her case this time.

04/07/2026

TPS Украина: кто может работать до и после 19 апреля 2026 года? #юфю #ю4ю #ТПС #тпсукраина #украинцывсша #ворк #нашивамерике #нашивсша #иммиграция #иммиграциявсша #иммиграционныйадвокат

On Friday the 13th, the Massachusetts District Court issued an order staying (pausing) the termination of Temporary Prot...
03/14/2026

On Friday the 13th, the Massachusetts District Court issued an order staying (pausing) the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Somalis to “permit time for briefing and deliberation.”

FRIENDLY REMINDER for TPS holders from EL SALVADOR:If you have not received a new work permit with an expiration date of...
03/09/2026

FRIENDLY REMINDER for TPS holders from EL SALVADOR:

If you have not received a new work permit with an expiration date of September 9, 2026,
• your work permit is valid through March 9, 2026, or AT BEST, until July 11, 2026,
• if your I-765 receipt notice indicates that you qualify for a
• !!! 540-day automatic extension!!! (this is counted from the expiration date of your old EAD expired, i.e. March 9, 2025)

Check your I-797c Notice of Action for AUTOMATIC EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION DOCUMENT (EAD) Extension language for more information!

Update: START THE COUNTDOWNThe Post is LIVE and you have until April 24, 2026 EST to sibmit comments! ***On February 23,...
02/22/2026

Update: START THE COUNTDOWN
The Post is LIVE and you have until April 24, 2026 EST to sibmit comments!
***
On February 23, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is scheduled to publish a new proposed rule that would significantly change the process for obtaining a work permit (Employment Authorization Document – EAD) based on a pending asylum application.

Key Proposed Changes:

• The waiting period to apply for a work permit based on asylum would increase from 6 months to 1 year.

• If an asylum application is rejected as incomplete and returned, the “clock” will restart — further delaying eligibility for a work permit.

• The rule will not affect individuals who have already filed for asylum and become eligible to apply for a work permit before the rule takes effect.

• Biometrics will be required for both initial EAD applications and renewals. Failure to appear for biometrics will result in denial of the work permit.

• Individuals with certain significant criminal issues will be ineligible for a work permit.

• The one-year asylum filing deadline will be strictly enforced.

• Asylum may be denied based on derogatory information.

• The waiting period to receive an EAD would increase from 30 days to 6 months, aligning with processing times for other EAD categories.

• The rule aims to discourage fraudulent or frivolous asylum claims.

• Individuals who entered without inspection—undocumented immigrants—may be barred from applying for asylum unless they expressed a fear of return to an immigration officer within 48 hours of entry.

We anticipate a PAUSE in new EAD applications ONCE THE RULE TAKES EFFECT!!!

If you are eligible to apply for asylum --- ACT NOW --- but hire A LAWYER, not a paralegal or a “notario publico,” to ensure EVERYTHING is done CORRECTLY! !

Bye-bye habeas and Hello bond hearings again!
02/19/2026

Bye-bye habeas and Hello bond hearings again!

With TAX SEASON upon us, the only way to receive the CHILD TAX CREDIT is if BOTH parents and their children have a valid...
02/18/2026

With TAX SEASON upon us, the only way to receive the CHILD TAX CREDIT is if BOTH parents and their children have a valid SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER. (Kudos to ONE, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL!)

A valid SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER means one that is backed by a VALID, UNEXPIRED WORK AUTHORIZATION CARD.

ONE way to obtain a WORK AUTHORIZATION CARD (that WILL be issued without delays) is through ASYLUM.

Apply for ASYLUM (if you are eligible) by the end of MARCH to help ensure you receive a WORK AUTHORIZATION CARD for YOU and YOUR CHILDREN in time to claim the CHILD TAX CREDIT!

US will pause IMMIGRANT visas for 75 countries on January 21, 2026 (see list below)
01/14/2026

US will pause IMMIGRANT visas for 75 countries on January 21, 2026 (see list below)

SOMALI TPS TERMINATION = MORE DETENTIONS = MORE DEPORTATIONSFollowing increased scrutiny related to fraud investigations...
01/14/2026

SOMALI TPS TERMINATION = MORE DETENTIONS = MORE DEPORTATIONS

Following increased scrutiny related to fraud investigations in Minnesota, DHS has announced that it will not renew Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalia. Accordingly, Somalis have 63 days to either legalize status or leave. The decision affects many Somali nationals who have relied on TPS to live and work lawfully in the United States.

The Family Reunification Parole program will not end on January 14, 2026, due to DHS’s failure to provide proper notice....
01/12/2026

The Family Reunification Parole program will not end on January 14, 2026, due to DHS’s failure to provide proper notice.

A positive development for families from Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, and Honduras under the Family Reunification Parole program.
Following a January 9, 2026 hearing, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani found that ending the program would cause “irreparable harm” to parolees and U.S. sponsors, and issued a Temporary Restraining Order on January 10, 2026.
DHS may still respond, but it is a small win and a 14-day emergency stay of Termination of Family Reunification Parole Processes for , , , , , and .

Address

405 W 34th Street, SUITE 104
Sioux Falls, SD
57103

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16058387378

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