A young client who was recently granted legal status and work authorization under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program asked me if he could travel outside the United States. His life had changed so much in the last few months. For the first time in his life he was legal and could work. He knew no other country […]
We are fielding questions about whether someone in removal proceedings or who has been ordered removed (deported) can apply under the new Provisional Waiver Process. The Answer If you are currently in removal proceedings, they need to be “administratively closed” so that you can apply for the Provisional Waiver (I-601A). Once the waiver has been approved, you will need to “re-calendar” […]
The director of Immigration & Customs Enforcement, John Morton, released a memorandum on December 21, 2012 that if implemented will significantly scale back the application of detainers by federal, state and local law enforcement. Under the new guidance, ICE should issue a detainer only where (1) they have reason to believe the individual is an alien subject to removal from […]
Ricky Malik, Esq.
When a permanent resident (LPR or greencard holder) travels overseas and returns, s/he is NOT to be treated as what is known as seeking admission (or an applicant for admission) into the United States. The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) clarified in Matter of Rivens, 25 I&N Dec. 623 (BIA 2011) that to establish that a returning LPR is to be […]
Many people are wondering what to do if they want to apply under the new provisional waiver process that was announced on January 3, 2013, but their visa petitions (130’s) have been approved and their case is already at the National Visa Center (NVC)? If you do not already have a consulate interview notice (dated before January 3, 2013), then […]
The new provisional waiver process that was published in the Federal Register on January 3, 2013 has brought out a lot of questions about what constitutes “extreme hardship.” This is after all the standard that must be proven to USCIS. It is important to understand the hardship is not to the foreign national, but rather to the qualifying relative. While […]
After almost a year of waiting, the new Provisional Waiver rule was released on January 3, 2013 with an effective date of March 4, 2013. The new rule allows foreign nationals who have been unlawfully present in the United States for more than 180 days to complete the majority of the process and waiting in the United States. Before the […]
An area the Law Offices of Ricky Malik, PC has always gained expertise in is the intersection of immigration with criminal convictions. The new Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program raises issues about what crimes or convictions will prevent someone from applying. Before reading the below list of disqualifiers, please note that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has […]
Good news! A common question we are asked by Deferred Action (DACA) applicants is whether they can get driver’s licenses. In Virginia, the answer is “yes.” “The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has confirmed in writing that young people granted “deferred action” by Immigration Customs Enforcement at the Department of Homeland Security will be eligible for Virginia driver’s licenses […]
