In July 2025, the Department of Justice (DOJ) elevated denaturalization to a top enforcement priority, marking a dramatic shift in how the federal government approaches U.S. citizenship. While the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) has long authorized revocation of naturalization, historically such cases were rare and confined to extraordinary circumstances—such as involvement in genocide or […]
Editorial credit: Evgenia Parajanian / Shutterstock.com WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding the factors that officers consider in certain benefit requests where an exercise of discretion is required, including factors relating to aliens’ past requests for parole and any involvement in anti-American or terrorist organizations, […]
By: Mary Campbell U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially intensified its evaluation of the ‘good moral character’ (GMC) standard for lawful permanent residents applying for U.S. citizenship. Under this revised policy, applicants must now substantiate not only the absence of disqualifying behavior, but also demonstrate active, positive contributions to their communities. Expanded GMC […]
By: Mary Campbell Immigration court is one of the most intimidating places you can find yourself. Every case is high stakes—your future, your family, and your ability to remain in the United States are on the line. Yet too many immigrants walk into court without an attorney, thinking they can “explain their side” or handle […]
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced sweeping updates to marriage-based green card policies—effective August 1, 2025—mandating in-person interviews in nearly all spousal visa cases and sharply increasing evidentiary requirements to detect fraudulent petitions. What’s Changed? 1. Mandatory In-Person Interviews for Nearly All Cases USCIS now requires face-to-face interviews in essentially all marriage-based […]
Washington, D.C. – August 6, 2025 – In a major policy shift, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is now warning that individuals applying for family-based green cards—particularly marriage-based petitions—could be placed directly into removal (deportation) proceedings if found ineligible. This update, effective August 1, 2025, states that approval of a family-based petition no longer ensures […]
By: Brian Figeroux, Esq. The concept of dual citizenship—also known as dual nationality—raises a complex set of questions about legal identity, allegiance, and rights. For many immigrants, expatriates, or children born to parents from different countries, the ability to hold two nationalities provides practical benefits. But does the U.S. government legally recognize this status, and […]
Editorial credit: Joshua Sukoff / Shutterstock.com The Trump Justice Department has filed a federal lawsuit against New York City and Mayor Eric Adams, alleging that sanctuary city policies obstruct federal immigration enforcement. The legal action heightens tensions over states’ rights and public safety. By Mary Campbell New York: On July 24, 2025, the U.S. Department […]
By Mary Campbell A controversial new travel fee—dubbed the “visa integrity fee”—was enacted as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill, signed into law on July 4, 2025. It imposes a $250 charge on top of existing visa application fees for most non‑immigrant visa holders, including tourist (B‑1/B‑2), student (F/M), work (H‑1B/H‑4), and exchange (J‑1/J‑2) categories. When […]
By Mary Campbell A health worker who has lived legally in the United States for over five decades was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at a California airport, despite holding a valid green card. The incident has ignited renewed discussion about the legal vulnerabilities of long-term permanent residents and the crucial protections […]