New York Lawyer's Legal Updates
Proving Hardship For Immigration Waivers
30 July 2015Author: Hardship Waiver Attorney Alena Shautsova A person applying for most Immigration waivers in the US, needs to prove an "extreme hardship" to a qualifying family member in order for the application to be granted. When it comes to Hardship waivers it can be frustrating to receive information as general as “proof of hardship”, especially when ...
Can I Bring My Fiance To The US On A Tourist Visa?
07 July 2015Author: New York immigration lawyer Alena Shautsova One of the common questions I receive through online inquires is related to bringing family members to the US. While I already have a number of articles regarding this topic (See Adjustment Of Status For K-1 Visa Entrants), I would like to focus here on a fiancé visa. In most cases of family imm ...
Disclosure Of Criminal Record In Connection With Immigration Benefits
26 June 2015Author: Deportation Attorney Alena Shautsova Many people who are filling out Immigration forms are asking this question: do I need to disclose my expunged conviction?; or Do I need to disclose my charges if they were dismissed?; or Do I need to disclose my juvenile conviction? Many are confused, because often their Criminal Defense attorneys in ...
How To Pass A Stokes Interview
17 June 2015Author: US Visa Attorney Alena Shautsova If your green card application is based on marriage to a U.S. citizen, you will be called for an interview with a USCIS officer. During your initial interview with USCIS you may ask you to come back for a second interview, also known in New York as a Stokes Interview. It is important to remember that this ...
Employment Authorization for Spouses of H1B Holders
02 June 2015Author: Employment Immigration attorney Alena Shautsova On May 26, 2015 USCIS started to accept employment authorization applications, form I 765, by certain spouses of H1B visa holders. Traditionally, spouses of H1B visa holders, H4 dependents, were not eligible for an employment authorization. As one of the measures by the President aimed to imp ...
Updates On Status Of Immigration Reform (New DACA and DAPA)
05 May 2015Author: New York Immigration attorney Alena Shautsova The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals is yet to rule on the issue of new DACA and DAPA. The parties presented their oral arguments on April 17, 2015. So far, the court is still considering the issue. On April 7, 2015 the Court ruled on old DACA lawsuit and found that the plaintiffs did not have sta ...
Expedited Citizenship
05 May 2015Author: Citizenship Immigration Attorney Alena Shautsova There are different ways one may obtain a U.S. citizenship: through birth in the U.S. or its territories; acquire U.S. citizenship automatically through parents or obtain it through naturalization process. The naturalization process covers those who first receive permanent resident status o ...
Online Free Immigration Law Seminars
05 May 2015Author: Immigration lawyer Alena Shautsova Law office of Alena Shautsova has launched online free Immigration law seminars. Every Wednesday at 9:00pm EST we hold discussions on various Immigration topics. The recordings of the previous seminars can be found online at: The past topics include: Immigration waivers, I601A waiver; US removal proc ...
Legally Speaking: Good Moral Character Under Federal Immigration Law
14 April 2015Author: New York Immigration attorney Alena Shautsova When applying for different forms of relief during deportation proceedings, sometimes one is required to show good moral character. This is a very vague term and many people get confused whether or not they possess a good moral character in the eyes of the adjudicator. This article will outline ...
How To Receive Prosecutorial Discretion From ICE
03 April 2015Author: NY Deportation Attorney Alena Shautsova Prosecutorial discretion is a form of government action that allows a non-citizen to avoid drastic consequences of immigration law violations. ICE or Immigration and Custom Enforcement has broad powers in connection to an individual who is subject to its authority: ICE may choose not to send the case ...