Category: Immigration

On September 22, 2010, Attorney Ricky Malik attended a dinner sponsored by the American Immigration Lawyers Association hosting Charlie Oppenheim, Chief of the Immigrant Visa Control and Reporting Division, Bureau of Consular Affairs at the State Department. Mr. Oppenheim is responsible for publishing the monthly visa bulletin that informs millions of people around if their priority dates are current.  Mr. Oppenhiem was very insightful […]

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced its new fee schedule. A Few Notable Increases: I-90 Green card replacement:                    $365 (up from $290) I-130 Family Petition:                                 $420 (up from 355) I-140 Employment Petition:          […]

The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) in Matter of Garcia-Garcia, 25 I&N Dec. 93 (BIA 2009) held that an Immigration Judge can review and consider whether to modify the conditions of release imposed upon a  foreign national by DHS ICE. This means that if Immigration and Customs Enforcement gives a foreign national the option of paying a bond to be released and/or […]

Visa Bulletin for October 2010. CLICK HERE. Ricky Malik, Esq. greencard@mail.com

A memo circulated entitled Administrative Alternatives to Comprehensive Immigration Reform.  It is not yet official and it is unclear how it was leaked but it is indicative of the direction of some within ICE/USCIS.  This memo along with the recent John Morton memo brings some hope that ICE and USCIS will consider taking fair and just action.  However, there seems to […]

In this difficult economy, a question I am often asked is if bankruptcy or foreclosing on a home will lead to problems with Immigration.  I simply reply “Immediate Deportation. The U.S. will not allow fiscally irresponsible people to remain in the country.”  Then I smile and say “Just kidding.” No, it won’t. In terms of obtaining lawful permanent residency (Greencard), there are only affidavit of support requirement […]

USCIS is rolling out an E-request system. It will be similar to the Immigration 800 # except it will be done through email.  The system will be limited to I-90’s and N-400’s at first. Hopefully, it will be a meaningful inquiry process and not just email responses with boilerplate text, similar to the 800# script readers.

The last comprehensive legalization program had a filing deadline of sunset on April 30, 2001.  In general, section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act allowed an otherwise admissible alien who has an immediately available immigrant visa to apply for adjustment of status upon payment of a $1,000 surcharge, even though the alien entered the United States without inspection in […]

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division’s Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices (quite a mouthful) released information pertaining to recent Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) renewals. This information is designed to protect employees as well as to encourage employers to follow the law. Every TPS renewal period, our office is overwhelmed with […]

The much anticipated Online Detainee Locator System has just been released.  For my firm which is heavily involved in representing detained immigrants we hope this is an easier way for families and loved one, including lawyers to find the whereabouts of our clients in the opaque ICE.   The Law Offices of Ricky Malik, PC sometimes spend hours over many days investigating and trying […]