As a city famous for the diversity and size of its immigrant population, Chicago has a plethora of great resources for immigrants. Here is a list of just a few of the resources you should be aware of: MUNICIPAL IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM In 2018, the City Clerk’s Office will begin a new program that offers identification Read more about Chicago Resources for Immigrants[…]
After your visa petition has been approved and you have submitted all necessary fees and documents to the National Visa Center, it is time for your consular interview. Before your interview, you will normally have to go through the following steps: 1. Undergo a medical exam. The exam should be with an embassy-approved doctor, if Read more about Preparing For Your Consular Interview Outside the U.S.[…]
A lot has changed in politics this year, and yet, we find ourselves no closer to a resolution on the DACA situation.
One of the tests that you will have to take during your naturalization interview before you can get your United States citizenship is the Civics test. In many ways, this is the most difficult test you will have to take during your immigration process. With the written, spoken, and reading English tests, you are likely Read more about Tips for Studying for the Citizenship Civics Test[…]
It is the stuff romantic comedies are made of. A couple that is married just for the convenience of U.S. citizenship has to jump through hoops to prove to the government that the marriage is indeed real. Back in the real world, most marriages of an immigrant to a United States citizen are probably legitimate. Read more about Married to a U.S. Citizen? How to Prove Your Marriage is “Bona Fide” for purposes of Form I-751[…]
When you are sponsoring another person to immigrate to the United States, as a part of the process you will need to fill out Form I-864 Affidavit of Support. Moving to a new country is a difficult process and requires basically starting life over again—a new residence, new job, new friends. The Affidavit of Support Read more about Filing a Proper Affidavit of Support as an Immigration Sponsor[…]
How much of a difference a year can make! For immigration policy activists, this year had a lot of ups and downs. Here are some of the big changes to immigration policy that took place in 2018, and how applicants can prepare for them. DACA For most of the year, DACA languished as Democrats and Read more about Immigration Policy in 2018 and Beyond[…]
Many permanent residents cannot wait to trade in their green card for full United States citizenship. Usually, after permanent residence of three (if married to a U.S. Citizen) or five years in the United States, the permanent resident is eligible to file the paperwork for his or her citizenship. But, for a variety of reasons, Read more about Permanent Residents: Is Your Green Card Expired?[…]
If you are inadmissible to the United States and are seeking an immigrant visa, adjustment of status, certain nonimmigrant statuses or certain other immigration benefits, your only chance is to file for a waiver. The waiver is Form I-601, and is only applicable for certain grounds of inadmissibility. First, here is a review of some Read more about Immigration Inadmissibility, Waivers, and Your Odds of Success[…]
If you have been following the news, you may have heard the term “public charge” in reference to keeping immigrants from obtaining permanent resident status. The Trump administration is supposedly considering new rules that will make it harder for an immigrant to get a green card if they have ever used a range of popular Read more about Low Income? Getting Around the “Public Charge” Designation when Applying for a Green Card[…]