COMPETENT & AFFORDABLE IMMIGRATION SERVICESWelcome to the Law Offices of Edyta-Christina Grzybowska Grant, Esq.We speak Polish & Bulgarian / Mówimy po Polsku / Говорим Български
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Recipient of the Avvo Clients' Choice Award for 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2017
Edyta-Christina G. Grant, Esq.
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We are a full-service immigration law firm providing competent and affordable immigration services for all aspects of individual and corporate immigration law. Ms. Grant is an immigrant herself and will treat your case as if it were her own. She will work within your budget and will go the extra mile to make sure your immigration needs are solved and that your status is never jeopardized.
Regardless of your location, we can handle your case. Whether you are an individual, a small business, or a large corporation, we will work with you to accomplish your goals. Contact us for a friendly consultation with an immigration attorney.
Call us at 661 735 7740 or email us at edyta@immigrationinamerica.com to set an appointment. We apologize, but due to high demand we cannot accommodate walk-ins. |
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Latest news:
You can now apply for DACA again!
As of Jan. 13, 2018, USCIS is once again accepting applications for DACA, even though it had officially terminated the program on September 5 of 2017. Thus USCIS will continue accepting DACA renewal applications (even if your previous grant expired or was terminated years ago) until the order is reversed or unless otherwise provided. This could be a very short window, so it is advisable to act quickly.
Rescission Of Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals (DACA) 9/5/17
Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initiated the orderly wind down of the program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). “This Administration’s decision to terminate DACA was not taken lightly." said Acting Secretary Elaine Duke. Yesterday, Attorney General Sessions sent a letter to Acting Secretary Duke articulating his legal determination. Based on guidance from Attorney General Sessions, Acting Secretary Elaine Duke today issued a memo formally rescinding the June 15, 2012 memorandum that created DACA, and initiating an orderly wind down of the program. This process will limit disruption to current DACA beneficiaries while providing time for Congress to seek a legislative solution. The details are contained in Acting Secretary Duke’s September 5 memorandum, and in our Frequently Asked Questions.
Effective Oct. 1, USCIS will begin to phase-in interviews for the following:
- Adjustment of status applications based on employment (Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status).
- Refugee/asylee relative petitions (Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition) for beneficiaries who are in the United States and are petitioning to join a principal asylee/refugee applicant.
KERN SUPERVISORS APPROVE RESOLUTION OPPOSING SANCTUARY STATE BILL
http://therunneronline.com/board-of-supervisors-approves-resolution-opposing-sanctuary-state-bill/
http://therunneronline.com/board-of-supervisors-approves-resolution-opposing-sanctuary-state-bill/
WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has reached the congressionally mandated 65,000 visa H-1B cap for fiscal year 2018. USCIS has also received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to meet the 20,000 visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, also known as the master’s cap. The agency will reject and return filing fees for all unselected cap-subject petitions that are not duplicate filings.
Join me Tuesday, Feb 21 at CSUB for a Know Your Rights Meeting with local attorneys and organizations
03.15.2017: Hours after a federal judge in Hawaii issued a nationwide temporary restraining order against President Trump's travel ban, U.S. District Court Judge Theodore D. Chuang, in Maryland, issued a nationwide preliminary injunction prohibiting the enforcement of the 90-day ban against travelers from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Chuang's order denies the plaintiffs' request to block other parts of Trump's March 6 executive order, including the temporary ban on refugees.
AILA's Travel Warning for Nationals of Certain Countries Designated by Executive Order
On January 27, 2017, President Trump signed an Executive Order relating to visa issuance, screening procedures, and refugees. The Executive Order is titled "Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States."
Among other provisions, Section 3 of the Executive Order, "suspends" the immigrant and nonimmigrant entry of nationals from certain designated countries for 90 days from the date of the order. Designated countries are those identified in INA §217(a)(12) and later added to the list of countries with Visa Waiver restrictions and would therefore include Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Note that INA §217(a)(12) includes restrictions on people who travel to the designated countries, as well. It does not appear that the Executive Order is meant to encompass these individuals; however, it is not completely clear.
The order also does not define what it means to be "from" a designated country. Thus, in an abundance of caution, it may be best to interpret the term broadly to include passport holders, citizens, nationals, dual nationals, etc. Additionally, after 90 days, travel is not automatically reinstated. Instead, DHS is required to report whether countries have provided information "needed … for the adjudication of any … benefit under the INA … to determine that the individual seeking the benefit is who the individual claims to be and is not a security or public-safety threat." If not, the country would have 60 days to comply, or the travel ban would become indefinite.
Please note that the situation is fluid, and may change at any time.
Among other provisions, Section 3 of the Executive Order, "suspends" the immigrant and nonimmigrant entry of nationals from certain designated countries for 90 days from the date of the order. Designated countries are those identified in INA §217(a)(12) and later added to the list of countries with Visa Waiver restrictions and would therefore include Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Note that INA §217(a)(12) includes restrictions on people who travel to the designated countries, as well. It does not appear that the Executive Order is meant to encompass these individuals; however, it is not completely clear.
The order also does not define what it means to be "from" a designated country. Thus, in an abundance of caution, it may be best to interpret the term broadly to include passport holders, citizens, nationals, dual nationals, etc. Additionally, after 90 days, travel is not automatically reinstated. Instead, DHS is required to report whether countries have provided information "needed … for the adjudication of any … benefit under the INA … to determine that the individual seeking the benefit is who the individual claims to be and is not a security or public-safety threat." If not, the country would have 60 days to comply, or the travel ban would become indefinite.
Please note that the situation is fluid, and may change at any time.
Join me this Thursday at a Know Your Rights Meeting with local attorneys and organizations.
This event is receiving a lot of attention. The Mexican Consul has confirmed their attendance at our presentation this coming Thursday. Telemundo is broadcasting it along with several radio stations.
USCIS to Implement Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Program
Beginning June 8, 2016, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will allow certain Filipino World War II veteran family members who are beneficiaries of approved family-based immigrant visa petitions an opportunity to receive a discretionary grant of parole on a case-by-case basis, so that they may come to the United States as they wait for their immigrant visa to become available.
PRESIDENT OBAMA's EXECUTIVE ACTION PLAN
On November 20, 2014, the President announced a series of executive actions which among other things will allow
Update: Due to a federal court order, USCIS will not begin accepting requests for the expansion of DACA on February 18 as originally planned and has suspended implementation of Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents. The court's temporary injunction, issued February 16, does not affect the existing DACA. Individuals may continue to come forward and request an initial grant of DACA or renewal of DACA under the original guidelines. Please check back for updates.
- parents of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who have been in the country since January 1, 2010, to request deferred action and employment authorization for three years without fear of deportation (if they pass a criminal background check and pay taxes)
- young people who came to this country before turning 16 years old and have been present since January 1, 2010 to take advantage of the existing DACA program without worrying about not meeting the 31 year cap
Update: Due to a federal court order, USCIS will not begin accepting requests for the expansion of DACA on February 18 as originally planned and has suspended implementation of Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents. The court's temporary injunction, issued February 16, does not affect the existing DACA. Individuals may continue to come forward and request an initial grant of DACA or renewal of DACA under the original guidelines. Please check back for updates.
Do you qualify for the executive actions ?If you would like to check if you pre-qualify for the proposed deferred action fill out the form to the right and check "Yes."
Would you like updates on the immigration reform?If you would like to receive updates on the proposed immigration changes or if you would like to be informed when you may begin submitting applications, fill out the form to the right. |
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Here is an outline of President Obama's proposed immigration initiatives:
- Expanding the population eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to young people who came to this country before turning 16 years old and have been present since January 1, 2010, and extending the period of DACA and work authorization from two years to three years
- Allowing parents of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who have been in the country since January 1, 2010, to request deferred action and employment authorization for three years, in a new Deferred Action for Parental Accountability program, provided they pass required background checks
- Expanding the use of provisional waivers of unlawful presence to include the spouses and sons and daughters of lawful permanent residents and the sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
- Modernizing, improving and clarifying immigrant and nonimmigrant programs to grow our economy and create jobs
- Promoting citizenship education and public awareness for lawful permanent residents and providing an option for naturalization applicants to use credit cards to pay the application fee
Call (661) 735-7740 for a FREE CONSULTATION. Office visits by appointment only.
BEST PRICES IN TOWN!
HAVE YOU SERVED IN THE U.S. ARMED FORCES OR ARE YOU IN THE RESERVE? If so, you or your family members may be eligible for a green card without having to leave the United States, despite their past illegal entry and stay. Call us for a consultation.
ARE YOU A VICTIM OF A CRIME? Have you been physically or mentally abused? Are you willing to cooperate with the law enforcement? If so, you and your children may be eligible for a work permit and a green card. SAME SEX Couples may now apply for GREEN CARDS!This morning, June 26, 2013, the US Supreme Court struck down DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) as unconstitutional. This means that same-sex marriages are now recognized under Federal laws, including Immigration laws, which means that most same-sex couples will now be able to obtain a green card. We are happy to serve you and your family with your immigration needs! For more information, visit Immigration Equality's website.
Unaccompanied Children
The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) has set up a special Parent Hotline. The number is 1-800-203-7001 and it will be operational 7 days a week from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM EST. This hotline allows parents to seek assistance in locating their unaccompanied children they believe may be in DHS custody. Driver Licenses for Undocumented Aliens On October 7, 2013, California's Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law a group of bills related to immigration. One bill will allow illegal immigrants to apply for and receive California driver's licenses (expected to go into effect in 2015). Another will make it a crime for someone to threaten an undocumented person with deportation. Under the new law, employers who threaten employees with deportation will find themselves facing stiff fines and, possibly, the loss of their business licenses.
Beginning March 4, certain applicants will be able to apply for the provisional unlawful presence waiver here in the U.S.
Beginning this Monday, March 4, 2013, certain immigrant visa applicants who are spouses, children and parents of U.S. citizens (immediate relatives) can apply for provisional unlawful presence waivers before they leave the United States. The provisional unlawful presence waiver process allows individuals, who only need a waiver of inadmissibility for unlawful presence, to apply for a waiver in the United States and before they depart for their immigrant visa interviews at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.
The new process is expected to shorten the time U.S. citizens are separated from their immediate relatives while those family members are obtaining immigrant visas to become lawful permanent residents of the United States. Under current law, immediate relatives of U.S. citizens who are not eligible to adjust status in the United States must travel abroad and obtain an immigrant visa. Individuals who have accrued more than 180 days of unlawful presence while in the United States must obtain a waiver of inadmissibility to overcome the unlawful presence bars under section 212(a)(9)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act before they can return to the United States. Under the existing waiver process, which remains in effect, immediate relatives cannot file a Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility, until after they have appeared for an immigrant visa interview abroad, and a Department of State consular officer has determined that they are inadmissible to the United States. Call now to see if you qualify! (661) 735-7740 The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act passes the House
On February 28, 2013, the House of Representatives voted down the bad House VAWA substitute bill on a vote of 257 to 166. After the substitute was defeated, the House then took up the original bipartisan Senate bill 47, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, which quickly passed with broad bipartisan support (286 yeas to 138 nays).
The New USCIS Immigrant Fee Takes Effect on Feb. 1Starting Friday, Feb. 1, those who receive an immigrant visa package from a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad will be required to pay a new $165 immigrant fee.
The fee is necessary to cover the costs of producing and delivering permanent resident cards.
Please see the following page for more information:http://www.uscis.gov/immigrantfee
Look for us at the Annual
Viva Mexico Festival, Sunday, September
9, 2012
at the Kern County Fairgrounds in the Budweiser Pavilion. California OKs driver's licenses for some undocumented immigrants
California lawmakers have approved a bill to allow some young undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children to obtain driving licenses, in a move that could appeal to Hispanic voters in the heavily Democratic state. For more info click here.
California Senate passes "anti-Arizona" immigration bill
The California Senate passed a bill on Thursday that seeks to shield illegal immigrants from status checks by local police and challenges Republican-backed immigration crackdowns. For more info click here.
USCIS Launches Online Immigration System
New Online Learning Tool for Aspiring Citizens
New Practice Tests for Naturalization Preparation
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The information provided on this website does not create a legal relationship of attorney client. All the information provided on this website is for informational purposes. One should not rely on any information on this website when dealing with a real immigration issue. If you are not sure how to deal with a certain immigration issue, consult with an experienced immigration lawyer that you are comfortable with.
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