Author name: Rosina Stambaugh

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a crucial resource authorizing abused noncitizens who would qualify for family-based visas to petition for themselves. Meeting the VAWA requirements means proving you qualify for a green card and that the relative who could sponsor you has subjected you to battery or extreme cruelty. Proving you meet the […]

Noncitizens can be granted life-changing benefits from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or an immigration judge (IJ). Or, they might be denied those benefits. Like everyone, immigration court judges and USCIS officers make mistakes. If that occurs, you can typically appeal to a higher office within 30 days. Understanding how to appeal

How can I quickly find out if someone is detained by immigration?Start with ICE’s Online Detainee Locator System using either the person’s A‑number or full name, date of birth, and country of birth. If that doesn’t work, immediately call the nearest ICE ERO field office or the suspected detention facility. Minors often won’t appear in

If you are not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR), you may need a permit to legally work in this country.  This process usually takes approximately four months, but it can take significantly longer if your application is based on certain underlying immigration statuses.  Working without authorization is a violation of immigration law

Marriage is one of the quickest ways to qualify for a green card in the U.S. Yet, getting your green card through marriage comes with many potential frustrations and delays. The marriage green card timeline is longer than many expect, taking one to two years on average.  Getting a marriage-based green card can be stressful,

Immigrants come to the U.S. through many pathways. Although some pathways authorize immigrants to work, some do not. Others only authorize immigrants to work if they first apply for a work permit. Being unable to work can leave you unable to support yourself as you start building your new life in the U.S. If you

Many immigrants come to the U.S. in hopes of getting a green card. One way to get a green card is by meeting the adjustment of status requirements. In broad terms, you can adjust your status if you are in the U.S. with good status and an immigrant visa is available. Navigating the immigration system

What is a U Visa? U visas are United States non-immigrant visas for victims of crime and their immediate family members. The visas were created in 2000 when Congress passed the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act. Its purpose is to encourage immigrants to report crimes and protect those willing to cooperate with law

What is an ICE Arrest? Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) run and manage programs and initiatives to identify, investigate, arrest, prosecute, and remove non-citizens from the United States if they’re unlawfully in the country. ERO uses intelligent-driven leads and law enforcement to identify non-citizens who may threaten national security