Citizenship & Naturalization

April 8, 2011

What Happens If The Government Shuts Down?

The following information has been provided by AILA, the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

As Congress continues its budgetary deadlock, the possibility of a government shutdown looms larger by the minute. If Congress is unable to reach accord on Friday, the government will close at midnight, Saturday April 9.

In general, if the government shuts down for budgetary reasons, all but “essential” government are furloughed and not allowed to work. So what does this mean for immigration agencies?

March 30, 2011

Immigration in 2011 – Part 5 of 10, Punitive Enforcement Approaches

by Kellie N. Lego

Fifth part of our ten part series examining the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s (AILA) publication of “What to Watch Out for in Immigration in 2011.”

Topic #5: Punitive Enforcement Approaches

In the 112th Congress violations of immigration laws are expected to have stricter penalties and further legislation is likely to be proposed in connection to the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) that was passed in 1996.

March 28, 2011

REMINDER – Submit Your Questions

by Kellie N. Lego

MVP “Immigration Q & A Forum” – This Friday, April 1st, 2011

We wanted to find a new way to engage our reader base. Every other Friday, we will post the ten (10) best/most frequently asked questions received during the week from our h1bvisalawyerblog, Facebook, and Twitter readers. We will answer those questions and provide the Q&A on our H-1B Visa Lawyer Blog.

If you have a burning question, are seeking assistance with a difficult immigration related case, wish to discuss your views on Comprehensive Immigration Reform, please contact us by submitting your question/comment/viewpoint in our comment box provided on our H-1B Visa Lawyer Blog.

March 23, 2011

Immigration in 2011 – Part 4 of 10, State and Local Authority to Enforce Immigration Law

by Kellie N. Lego

Fourth part of our ten part series examining the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s (AILA) publication of “What to Watch Out for in Immigration in 2011.”

Topic #4: State and Local Authority to Enforce Immigration Law

The role state and local officials should play when enforcing immigration laws has been a heavily debated issue especially since the passing of Arizona’s SB 1070 law.

March 17, 2011

Updated Service Center Processing Times

by Kellie N. Lego

Processing Time reports for all of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Service Centers were released on March 14, 2011 with processing dates as of January 31, 2011.

If you filed a petition with one of the Service Centers, please review the links below to determine the applicable processing time associated with your particular case.

California Service Center

March 16, 2011

Immigration in 2011 – Part 3 of 10, Restrictions on State Identification Cards (REAL ID)

by Kellie N. Lego

Third part of our ten part series examining the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s (AILA) publication of “What to Watch Out for on Immigration in 2011.”

Topic #3: Restrictions on State Identification Cards (REAL ID)

The REAL ID Act was brought up after national security concerns grew in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The act scrutinized state driver licenses as well as identification cards, creating a federal standard for driver licenses issued.

March 14, 2011

REMINDER – Submit Your Questions

by Kellie N. Lego

MVP “Immigration Q & A Forum” – This Friday, March 18th, 2011

We wanted to find a new way to engage our reader base. Every other Friday, we will post the ten (10) best/most frequently asked questions received during the week from our h1bvisalawyerblog, Facebook, and Twitter readers. We will answer those questions and provide the Q&A on our H-1B Visa Lawyer Blog.

If you have a burning question, are seeking assistance with a difficult immigration related case, wish to discuss your views on Comprehensive Immigration Reform, please contact us by submitting your question/comment/viewpoint in our comment box provided on our H-1B Visa Lawyer Blog.

March 3, 2011

Administrative Appeals Office Processing Times

by Kellie N. Lego

The Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) Processing Times were released with processing dates as of March 1, 2011.

If you filed an appeal, please review the links below to determine the applicable processing time associated with your particular case.

Administrative Appeals Office

February 28, 2011

REMINDER – Submit Your Questions

by Kellie N. Lego

MVP “Immigration Q & A Forum” – This Friday, March 4th, 2011

We wanted to find a new way to engage our reader base. Every other Friday, we will post the ten (10) best/most frequently asked questions received during the week from our h1bvisalawyerblog, Facebook, and Twitter readers. We will answer those questions and provide the Q&A on our H-1B Visa Lawyer Blog.

If you have a burning question, are seeking assistance with a difficult immigration related case, wish to discuss your views on Comprehensive Immigration Reform, AZ SB1070, priority dates, or the debate focused on Ending Birthright Citizenship, please contact us by submitting your question/comment/viewpoint in our comment box provided on our H-1B Visa Lawyer Blog.

February 22, 2011

Naturalization Questions – Check Out the NAT Fact Sheet

by Kellie N. Lego

Over the course of the 2010 fiscal year, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) naturalized over 676,000 individuals. 6.6 million individuals have been naturalized in the United States in the last decade.

To become naturalized, an individual must file an Application for Naturalization (Form N-400) and meet the following requirements as set forth by the Immigration Nationality Act (INA):

• Be at least 18 • Be a lawful permanent resident • Have lived in the US for at least five years • Have been physically present in the US for 30 months • Have good moral character • Speak, read, and write in English • Be knowledgeable of US government and history • Take the Oath of Allegiance