Recent Blog Posts
USCIS Introduces New Rule on Unlawful Presence Waivers
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently announced an expansion of the 2013 rule allowing immediate family members of US citizens to avoid being denied a visa based on a period of unlawful presence in the US. The rule is scheduled to enter into effect on August 29, 2016. Normally, when a foreign… Read More »
Naturalize NY Program Encourages New Yorkers to Become U.S. Citizens
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has recently launched a new initiative intended to ease the path to citizenship for certain New York residents to become citizens of the United States. The “NaturalizeNY” program will offer assistance with application fees for 2,000 eligible individuals. The NaturalizeNY program is a collaboration between several state offices, New… Read More »
I-601A Provisional Waiver program expanded by DHS
Effective 8/29/2016 DHS has expanded the I-601A provisional waiver program. The Department of Homeland Security has announced that effective August 29, 2016 they are expanding the class of aliens eligible to apply for I-601A Provisional Waivers. Now anyone eligible to obtain an immigrant visa such as the spouse of a permanent resident, sibling… Read More »
U.S. Supreme Court Set to Rule on DAPA
After months of waiting on a decision, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to issue its ruling this week in the case titled U.S. v. Texas, the case addressing the executive orders issued by President Obama that have shielded thousands of undocumented immigrants from deportation. Specifically, the opinion will address the President’s proposed expansion… Read More »
Couple Facing Federal Charges for Visa Fraud Reaching $20 Million
A couple who devised a scheme to fraudulently obtain H-1B visas for hundreds of Indian nationals has been indicted on federal charges. Raju Kosuri and Smriti Jharia, residents of Ashburn, Virginia, will be facing charges that could result in up to a 30-year prison sentence. Kosuri and Jharia had been running the scheme since… Read More »
H-1B Visa Filing Period Opens and Closes, Receiving Record Number of Petitions
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the filing period for H-1B visa applications for fiscal year 2017, which opened on April 1, was closed as of April 7, 2016. The random lottery to select which among the applications will be processed this year was held on April 9. The… Read More »
USCIS Publishes New Rule Governing Students in STEM Fields
Queens immigration attorneys Gladstein & Messinger discuss new USCIS rules for students in STEM fields in the optional professional training (OPT) program.
Visa Program for Crime Victims Introduced
Queens immigration attorneys Gladstein & Messinger report on new visa program for undocumented crime victims & trafficking to get U & T visas & work permits.
Obama Administration Orders ICE Raids on Families Over Holidays and Into the New Year
New York immigration attorneys Gladstein & Messinger report on recent ICE raids & potential deportation of families with a final order of removal.
Immigration Raids – Local News
Over the last week there has been wide spread media coverage in connection with immigration raids conducted by DHS and ICE. The raids have focused on Central Americans who have recently been ordered deported. There has been much criticism and outrage as these raids have for the most part involved families that traveled… Read More »