Temporary Protected Status, or “TPS” is a program where individuals, who are already in the United States, may receive some protections because the conditions in the designated country temporarily prevent them from returning safely. TPS beneficiaries are provided protection against removal or deportation, are eligible to receive an employment authorization document (EAD), and in certain circumstances may be granted travel authorization. Currently, the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) has designated sixteen...

 Yesterday, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, announced the designation of Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for a period of 18 months. In a statement the Secretary advised, “Russia’s premeditated and unprovoked attack on Ukraine has resulted in an ongoing war, senseless violence, and Ukrainians forced to seek refuge in other countries. In these extraordinary times, we will continue to offer our support and protection to...

Among President Biden’s first actions upon being sworn-in as the 46th President of the United States was to issue a Memorandum to “Preserve and Fortify Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).” In the memorandum, issued on January 20, 2021, his first day in office, President Biden calls on the Secretary of Homeland Security to “take all actions he deems appropriate, consistent with applicable law, to preserve and fortify DACA.” While the...

On December 04, 2020, a U.S. District Court in the state of New York ordered the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to fully reinstate the DACA Program. The order, which was effective immediately, requires DHS to start accepting new initial DACA applications, issue work permits with a validity period of two years, and allow DACA recipients to apply for Advance Parole. The order effectively directs DHS to adhere to the terms...

Below, please find the latest information regarding COVID 19 related office closures as of May 15, 2020 Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR): Non-detained Cases postponed through June 12, 2020 On May 15, 2020, EOIR announced that hearings in non-detained cases are postponed through June 12, 2020. This order applies to all non-detained cases nationwide. The Denver Immigration Court – located at 1961 Stout Street, Denver, Colorado – is still open...

Below, please find the latest information regarding COVID 19 related office closures as of April 28, 2020 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): - Temporary office closures extended through June 04, 2020 USCIS announced on April 24, 2020 that they are extending the temporary suspension of in-person services at least through June 04, 2020. USCIS advised that Local Field Offices and in-person services at local offices and support centers are preparing...

We hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy.  In an effort to keep you informed and up-to-date with applicable COVID-19 related closures and delays at the various immigration agencies, we plan to provide regular blog posts and updates. Below, please find the latest information as of April 2, 2020: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): Temporary office closure extended through at least May 03, 2020. USCIS announced on...

As the coronavirus continues to spread throughout the United States, the federal government has implemented a number of restrictions and office closures in an effort to help slow the spread of the virus. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):Local Field Offices and Application Support Centers Closed until at least April 07, 2020 (On March 25, 2020, USCIS extended closures from April 1, 2020  to April 7, 2020). Starting on March 18,...

On September 05, 2017, the Trump administration announced that it would terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Now, nearly two years later, the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review the legal challenges to the program. The Supreme Court will hear arguments from parties from both sides of the issue on November 12, 2019. Which means a decision on the case is expected no later than June 2020....

In the past, Applicants for immigration benefits, their representatives, and other stakeholders were able to go online to schedule an appointment with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) at their local field office. These appointments, called InfoPass appointments, are an important tool to help people navigate the immigration system and allowed peopled to ask questions about a pending case, check the status of a case, and/or receive important documents related to...

When the Trump administration announced that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program would be terminated, they directed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to reject all initial applications received after September 05, 2017, and reject all renewal applications filed after October 05, 2017. We now find ourselves over a year later and the overall fate of the DACA program remains unclear. Previous DACA recipients may still continue to...

It has been almost one year since U.S. Attorney General, Jeff Sessions announced that the government was terminating Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a program which offers work permits and deportation relief to undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. However, thanks to multiple lawsuits filed in Federal Courts across the country, challenging the legality of the termination of DACA, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has continued...

On January 08, 2018, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security announced her decision to end the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for El Salvador. TPS provides temporary lawful status and work authorization to people already in the United States from countries affected by armed conflict, natural disaster or other strife. El Salvador was first designated by George W. Bush in March 2001 following a series of earthquakes, and has...

On December 04, 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the third version of President Trump’s travel ban will be allowed to go into effect. Although other legal challenges are still making their way through the court system, as of December 08, 2017, restrictions went into effect limiting travel for people from eight nations. Effect of the Supreme Court’s order: In practical terms, the orders issued by the U.S. Supreme Court,...