Author name: Rosina Stambaugh

When U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) detains a noncitizen, the detainee and their loved ones must understand their immigration rights. Detained immigrants have immigration rights under U.S. law, including the right to seek release on bond, defend against deportation, and access to constitutional protections. Whether a person is […]

Being placed in deportation proceedings inspires deep fear for many immigrants, leaving them unsure of what to do. Legally called “removal,” the deportation process begins with the government deciding you are deportable. It notifies you of the reasons it thinks you are deportable and provides you a chance to defend against deportation. You do not

If you fear returning to your home country, U.S. immigration law may offer legal protection allowing you to stay in the U.S. in the form of asylum and its counterpart, withholding of removal.  The differences between asylum vs. withholding of removal center around how you qualify and the permanency of the protection. Asylum offers broader

Asylum is a humanitarian protection that the U.S. offers to allow individuals who reasonably fear persecution in their home countries to live in the U.S. permanently. To meet humanitarian asylum requirements, you must meet the standard asylum elements; humanitarian factors may strengthen your application or influence discretion. At the Law Office of Rosina C. Stambaugh,

Attorney Stambaugh is honored to have her article “When ICE Shows Up” featured in the December edition of For The Defense, published by the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (PACDL). This piece dives into critical issues surrounding immigration enforcement and what criminal defense attorneys need to know when ICE becomes involved. Knowledge is power—especially

If you are involved with the U.S. immigration system, you have likely seen references to the alien registration number, often abbreviated as “A-number.” A noncitizen’s A-number, issued to applicants for long-term status in the U.S., serves as the noncitizen’s identifier as they interact with immigration-focused government agencies, like U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S.

While many noncitizens dream of one day obtaining U.S. citizenship, others may be unsure whether citizenship is the right move. However, for those with the option, the benefits of  US citizenship usually outweigh the harms. Those benefits include legal rights and protections and eligibility for government programs and benefits, among many others. Whether you are

Becoming a U.S. citizen remains the dream of many immigrants who have made a home here. But, the naturalization test inspires anxiety in many potential citizens. Throughout this article, we offer naturalization interview tips to help you prepare for and hopefully ace your interview. Preparation is key to a successful naturalization test. As you prepare,

Many people come to the U.S. seeking safety, but do not apply for asylum right away. Yet, to qualify for asylum, you typically have to request it within one year of your arrival in the U.S. If more than a year has passed since you entered the U.S., you may be wondering: Can I file