Law Office of Yolanda M. Thompson, PLLC

08/19/2026

Good Afternoon from the Law Office of Yolanda M. Thompson, PLLC

Request for Evidence (RFE) Explained.

Received a Request for Evidence (RFE)?

Don’t panic — it’s not a denial.

It simply means USCIS needs more information before making a decision on your case.

The Office helps clients respond clearly, completely, and on time — strengthening your application and protecting your immigration journey.

📄 Tip: Always read your RFE carefully, organize your documents, and respond before the deadline.

- Yolanda

Yolanda M. Thompson, Esquire
Immigration Attorney
☎️ 301.547.9175

Compassionate Counsel. Strategic Immigration Solutions. Dedicated Advocacy.

08/17/2026

Good Afternoon from the Law Office of Yolanda M. Thompson, PLLC

Notice to Appear Explained.

Your Visual Guide to a Notice to Appear (NTA)

1️⃣ What Is a Notice to Appear?

An official document issued by a government agency (e.g., U.S. Department of Homeland Security) to initiate removal proceedings against an individual.

2️⃣ The NTA Process

Issuance & Service – Individual is served with the NTA, usually in person or by mail.

Filing with Immigration Court – NTA is filed with the Immigration Court to start the case.

Master Calendar – Individual appears before a judge to understand charges and rights.

Individual Merits Hearing – If contested, a full hearing takes place.

3️⃣ Key Elements of an NTA

Respondent Information – Name, A‑Number or File No., address.

Allegations – Reasons why the individual may be removable.

Charges of Removability – Sections of law violated.

Hearing Notice – Date, time, and location of Immigration Court.

Warnings – Consequences of failure to appear.

⚖️ Your Rights & Responsibilities

Legal Representation – You have the right to an attorney.

Obligation to Appear – Attend all scheduled hearings.

Keep Address Updated – Notify the court of any address changes.



Yolanda M. Thompson, Esquire
Immigration Attorney

Compassionate Counsel. Strategic Immigration Solutions. Dedicated Advocacy.

📞 301.547.9175

This is a generic illustrative example. It does not contain real personal data or exact official forms.

08/14/2026

Good Afternoon from the Law Office of Yolanda M. Thompson, PLLC

Navigating the spousal petition process can feel overwhelming, but staying organized is half the battle!

We've created this essential checklist to help you visualize and gather the key documents required for a successful USCIS application.

From official forms and fees to proving the "bona fide" nature of your relationship, here’s a breakdown of the critical categories:
✅ 1. Forms & Fees: Getting started with the correct paperwork and payments.
✅ 2. Petitioner’s Status: Documents confirming U.S. Citizenship or LPR status.
✅ 3. Legal Marriage Proof: Evidence of your valid marriage and termination of any prior marriages.
✅ 4. Evidence of Bona Fide Marriage: Proving your partnership is genuine and shared.

Please note: While this guide highlights common requirements, USCIS guidelines can change, and every case is unique.

It’s always best to consult with a legal professional for guidance tailored to your specific situation.

Have questions about your spousal petition?

Contact the Law Office of Yolanda M. Thompson, PLLC today!
📞 301.547.9175

08/14/2026

"The Growing Mental Health Toll of Mass Deportation
Fear as Policy: The Growing Mental Health Toll of Mass Deportation Policies
Published:
August 12, 2026

Author:
Micaela McConnell

Fear as Policy: The Growing Mental Health Toll of Mass Deportation Policies The American Immigration Council is a non-profit, non-partisan organization. Sign up to receive our latest analysis as soon as it's published.

Large-scale enforcement operations, increased enforcement at airports, a growing number of ICE deaths, record-breaking detention and deportation efforts, and the loss of legal protections for certain residents, like Haitians with Temporary Protected Status (TPS), have become hallmarks of the second Trump administration.

These increasingly common enforcement strategies and policy changes are disrupting the lives of immigrant and mixed-status families, workplaces, and communities, while contributing to chronic stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma.
As communities face these changes, many individuals are avoiding public spaces, social activities, schools, healthcare providers, and other essential services out of fear.

The result is a pervasive climate of uncertainty that affects daily life, undermines individual well-being, erodes community trust, and carries long-term mental health consequences."

Immigration policies have created a climate of uncertainty that affects daily life and carries long-term mental health consequences.

08/11/2026

The Biometric Exam Explained.

A biometric exam (often called a biometrics appointment) is a short, required step in many U.S. immigration processes where USCIS collects your fingerprints, photograph, and digital signature to verify your identity and run background and security checks.

It is not an interview, and no legal questions are asked.

🧾 What a biometric exam is?

A biometric exam is a brief visit—usually 15–20 minutes—at a USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) where technicians capture your fingerprints, photo, and sometimes your digital signature.

USCIS uses this data to:
Confirm your identity
Run FBI and DHS background checks
Prevent fraud and ensure eligibility
Produce secure documents like work permits or green cards (in some cases)

For a strategic immigration solution tailored to your specific immigration need, contact:

Law Office of Yolanda M. Thompson, PLLC

Yolanda M. Thompson, Esquire
Immigration Attorney
(301) 547-9175

08/10/2026

"U.S. immigration law says babies born to a "foreign diplomatic officer accredited to the United States" are not entitled to birthright citizenship under the Constitution, including ambassadors, ministers, chargés d'affaires, counselors, secretaries and attachés of embassies and legations, and members of the Delegation of the Commission of the European Communities.

Trump's orders Thursday would sharply expand those exemptions.

One order disqualifies babies who are products of "birth tourism."

The other applies to children of anyone working in a foreign embassy or representing a foreign government and employees of the United Nations or other international organizations.

Children of parents tied to groups that are deemed terrorist organizations, like Antifa or Tren de Aragua, are also excluded.

"How is the federal government going to decide that a child is born to a member of a designated terrorist organization?" said César Cuauhtémoc García Hernández, a law professor at Ohio State University. "These are not organizations that are sharing the membership lists if they even have them."

Citizenship through surrogacy has become a concern for Republican members of Congress, some of whom proposed a bill this year that would restrict citizenship for children of noncitizen parents born to surrogates in the U.S."

A Supreme Court decision in June struck down a previous attempt at restricting birthright citizenship, but Thursday’s orders were made with “adjustments” keeping the decision in mind, President Donald Trump said.

08/09/2026

Questions Presented to the Law Office of Yolanda M. Thompson, PLLC

Q:
What is the time frame for doing a waiver filing for an I-751 removal of condition if there's presence of extreme cruelty or battery?

A:
For a Form I-751 waiver based on battery or extreme cruelty (INA § 216(c)(4)(C)), there is no strict 90-day filing window requirement.

Unlike a joint I-751 filing—which must be submitted strictly within the 90-day window before the two-year conditional green card expires—an individual petition requesting a battery/extreme cruelty waiver can be filed at any time:

Key Timeframe & Timing Details
At Any Point After Conditional Status Is Granted:
You do not need to wait until the 90-day window opens. You may file a battered spouse waiver as soon as the eligibility criteria are met after becoming a conditional permanent resident.

Regardless of Marital Status:
You do not need to wait for a divorce to be initiated or finalized. You may file while still legally married, living with the spouse, separated, or after a divorce/annulment.

After Green Card Expiration:
If your conditional resident status has already expired, you can still file the waiver petition. While filing before expiration is ideal to avoid gaps in documented status, USCIS accepts waiver applications filed after the green card expires.

Up Until a Final Order of Removal:
If you are placed in deportation or removal proceedings, you can generally submit or renew an I-751 waiver request at any time before the immigration court issues a final order of removal.

Note on Protections & Fees:
Fee Exemption: Requesting an abuse/battery waiver on Form I-751 does not require a filing fee.

Confidentiality: Filings under the abuse waiver provisions are protected by federal confidentiality statutes (8 U.S.C. § 1367), meaning USCIS is strictly prohibited from contacting the abusive spouse or informing them of the petition.

Kind Regards,
- Yolanda

Yolanda M. Thompson, Esquire
Immigration Attorney
301.547.9175

08/04/2026

It's August!

A New Month, A Refined Plan. 📅✨

We’ve reimagined our August Client To-Do List with a refined, sophisticated, and modern approach to your immigration journey!

Step into the new month with clarity and purpose.

Our Law Office has curated these essential actions to ensure your path to stability and success is as streamlined as possible:

From the practical steps of Filing for U.S. Citizenship (if you're eligible) and Securing Your Essential Documents, to the empowering act of Celebrating Your Wins — we're with you at every milestone.

🌟 But it all starts with staying connected.

1️⃣ Follow & Share: Help us expand our community of support by liking our page and sharing this post! Your support helps us reach more people who need guidance.

2️⃣ Refer a Friend: If you know someone navigating the complexities of immigration law, a simple referral can change their future.

Let’s make this August a pivotal month of progress, together.

Law Office of Yolanda M. Thompson,PLLC

📞 301.547.9175 | ✉️ [email protected]
📍 1629 K Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006



- Yolanda

Yolanda M. Thompson, Esquire

Compassionate Counsel
Strategic Immigration Solutions
Dedicated Advocacy

08/03/2026

"Multiple MAGA figures responded with outrage, including Steve Bannon, who told Playbook on Monday, “Mullin is the wrong guy at the wrong time for the wrong job—a time when we need focus on ‘mass deportations,’ we get an amnesty advocate,” adding that MAGA wants Trump to appoint controversial outgoing interim Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte as DHS secretary."

Mullin suggested in a speech over the weekend he supports an expansion of permanent immigrant work visas.