Case Study: Documented Dreamer Self-Deports
By J. Lavetsky, Esq.Beacon Immigration PLLC September 30, 2023 In a recent piece in USA Today, a young immigrant describes his difficult immigration pathway in the U.S. and how he was ultimately forced to leave. Like the other approximately 200,000 Documented Dreamers in the U.S., the author grew up on a patchwork of short-term visas, brought to the […]
USCIS Expands the TPS Program for Venezuelans
By J. Lavetsky, Esq.Beacon Immigration PLLC September 22, 2023 This week, USCIS expanded the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program to citizens of Venezuela who immigrated to the U.S. before July 31, 2023. TPS allows citizens of certain countries suffering a humanitarian or other crisis to receive a work authorization permit, a social security number, and the ability […]
DACA Continues (For Now)
By J. Lavetsky, Esq.Beacon Immigration PLLC September 17, 2023 Life in limbo continues for DACA recipients across the U.S. Since 2012, the DACA program (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) has provided for work authorization and protection from deportation for immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children. Last week, a judge in Texas declared […]
Separate Residences in Marriage Green Card Applications – Is It Allowed?
By J. Lavetsky, Esq.Beacon Immigration PLLC September 8, 2023 Generally when considering a marriage green card application filed by two spouses, we assume that the couple live together in the same residence. But what if cohabitation isn’t feasible? In fact, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) does not impose a strict requirement for spouses to cohabit. The […]
Work Permit Delays When Applying for a Green Card? Try This
By J. Lavetsky, Esq.Beacon Immigration PLLC August 31, 2023 When applying for a green card within the U.S., a process known as adjustment of status, it’s common to concurrently apply for both a work permit and also a travel permit (also known as advance parole). Typically, USCIS will send you your work and travel permits […]
How TPS Holders Can Open the Door to an Employment-Based Green Card by Traveling Abroad
By J. Lavetsky, Esq.Beacon Immigration PLLC August 25, 2023 For decades, the U.S. government has granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to immigrants facing crises in their home countries, such as Ukraine, Haiti, Myanmar (Burma), Afghanistan, and others. TPS allows for the applicant to receive a work permit and social security number, as well as travel […]
Showing Residency Abroad on U.S. Visa Applications
By J. Lavetsky, Esq.Beacon Immigration PLLC August 21, 2023 When applying for a temporary visa or immigration status in the U.S., USCIS often requires the visa applicant to show that they have a residence abroad that they have no intention of abandoning. This is also known as demonstrating strong ties to one’s life outside […]
How to Self-Sponsor Your Own Green Card
By J. Lavetsky, Esq.Beacon Immigration PLLC August 9, 2023 More than 1,000,000 people become permanent residents, or green card holders, in the U.S. each year. How do they do it? In fact, the majority of people become permanent residents through sponsorship by a family member or their employer. While family sponsorship is important, in […]
USCIS Announces A Second Round in the 2023-2024 H-1b Visa Lottery
By J. Lavetsky, Esq.Beacon Immigration PLLC July 27, 2023 If you’ve heard about the H-1b visa program in the U.S., you likely think of highly educated and skilled immigrants who use the visa to contribute to the U.S. labor market. For example, the largest technology companies like Google, Meta, and Microsoft hire many H-1b workers, […]
Tips for Traveling Abroad with Advance Parole (Part 2)
By J. Lavetsky, Esq.Beacon Immigration PLLC July 24, 2023 In part 1, we discussed a number of tips for traveling abroad with advance parole. Let’s now discuss a few more things to keep in mind to ensure a safe and comfortable journey. Check your Advance Parole Validity Dates When you apply for an advance parole document […]