News & Resources

USCIS Adjudicator’s Discretion Restored in Denying Applications, Petitions and Requests without Issuing RFE’s or NOIDS.

July 22, 2018

In a new policy memorandum issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) last July 13, 2018, USCIS adjudicators are given discretion to deny applications, petitions, or requests without first issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) if the initial evidence is

U.S. Department of State Vietnam Visa Approvals for May and June 2018

July 10, 2018

The U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) has published a list of visa issuances for both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas for the months of May and June 2018. There were 1,643 immigrant visas issued for Vietnamese nationals in May. Eighty-four were IR-1 visas and 187 were CR-1 visas. The IR-1 visa

How to Apply for Naturalization if your American Spouse is Stationed Abroad

June 27, 2018

Vietnamese spouses of U.S. citizens are generally eligible for green cards and eventually U.S. citizenship based on their marriage. In general, a person may only be naturalized after showing that they have resided in the United States as a green card holder for a certain prescribed period of time. However,

Changes in Immigration Policy

June 12, 2018

A series of small moves concerning the Trump Administration’s immigration policy have recently been undertaken. CNN reports the following actions made by the administration: Attorney General Jeff Sessions has issued a Decision directing the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) to refer cases for his review when such cases have issues

Update to Form I-797 – Receipt Notice for Form I-751 and Form I-829

June 12, 2018

Federal Court of Appeals Rules Against Trump’s EO Ending Birthright Citizenship

February 25, 2025

A Federal Court of Appeals handed the Trump Administration another blow in its fight to redefine the 14th Amendment ending birthright citizenship through Executive Order (“EO”). The San Francisco-based Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the Administration’s request for an emergency order putting on hold a nationwide ban issued by

U.S. Taxes for Americans Abroad

February 20, 2025

A common concern raised by our clients departing the United States to reside abroad is what do they need to do about U.S. taxes. Furthermore, there are several misconceptions and misunderstandings that permeate the American expatriate community about U.S. taxes; especially about filing thresholds and some exclusion amounts. Allow us

Nonimmigrant Visa Dropbox Renewal Eligibility Reverts Back to Pre-COVID Standards

February 18, 2025

Effective immediately, the United States Department of State (“DOS”) has revised the requirements for interview waiver eligibility (commonly referred to as dropbox eligibility) to applicants renewing a nonimmigrant visa in the classification that expired within the past twelve (“12”) months. Previously, some nonimmigrant visa applicants were eligible to renew through

Trump’s EO Ending Birthright Citizenship Dealt Another Setback by A Second Judge

February 7, 2025

President Donald Trump’s Executive Order (“EO”) ending birthright citizenship was dealt another setback after a second federal judge ordered an additional pause. Judge Deborah Boardman of the Federal District of Maryland issued a nationwide injunction against the EO commenting that no court in the country has endorsed the Trump administration’s

USCIS Will No Longer Require Covid -19 Vaccinations For Adjustment Of Status Applicants

February 6, 2025

Effective January 22, 2025, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) will no longer require adjustment of status applicants to present proof of a COVID-19 vaccination as part of their Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. The USCIS further commented that the agency will no

Federal Lawsuit Filed Immediately Following Trump’s Executive Order Ending Birthright Citizenship

January 24, 2025

Less than 2 hours after President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order (“EO”) attempting to end birthright citizenship, immigrant advocates started to file lawsuits in Federal Court attempting to block Trump’s Executive Order. The first lawsuit was filed in the U.S. Federal District Court of New Hampshire on behalf

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