We are happy to announce that Katarina Zovinova Long, Esq. has joined the firm as a Partner. Katarina brings with her over a decade of immigration experience as both an immigrant navigating the immigration system and as a dedicated and knowledgeable litigator. With the addition of Katarina Zovinova Long, Esq., we will continue to provide Read More
Immigration Law Blog
Immigration Relief for Victims of Domestic Violence
In the United States, many individuals are impacted by domestic violence with an estimated 10 million people suffering abuse by an intimate partner per year. People of all races, age groups, genders, sexual orientations, religions, education levels, economic status, and immigration status have been subjected to family or domestic violence. Domestic violence is not limited Read More
Previous Marijuana Charges Still Impact Immigrants Despite New Jersey Legalizing Cannabis
On February 22, 2021 Governor Phil Murphy signed the Cannabis Reform Bill into law, legalizing and decriminalizing marijuana for adults 21 years and older. While immigrants can be less concerned about being charged with possession or use of marijuana in the State of New Jersey going forward, immigrants with previous marijuana charges, regardless of whether Read More
Congress Introduces Bill to Provide Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Venezuelans and Provide a Potential Pathway to Obtaining Lawful Permanent Resident Status (Green Card)
On his last day in office, Former President Donald Trump issued a Memorandum deferring the removal of Venezuelans currently residing in the United States without immigration status. The details of the memo have been archived and can be viewed by visiting the following link. While Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) would allow immigrants to remain in Read More
New Jersey Driver’s Licenses for undocumented immigrants delayed due to COVID-19
On December 19, 2019, Governor Phill Murphy signed a new law that allows undocumented immigrants to obtain their New Jersey Driver’s Licenses. Unfortunately, due to the reduction in staff and logistical issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) was unable to implement this policy by the January 1, 2021 Read More
“Parole in Place” – Revival of Discretionary Options for Military Members and their Families by the Biden Administration
Parole in Place, also known as “PIP” is an immigration benefit, which allows certain immigrants who entered the United States unlawfully to apply for a Green Card, employment authorization (EAD), and/or to acquire lawful status based on their familial relationship with a U.S. military member. It is an exceptional immigration benefit which creates a pathway Read More
USCIS to Accept New DACA Applications as of December 7, 2020
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a statement on December 7, 2020, confirming that United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be accepting new Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival Applications (DACA). DHS released this statement following a ruling by Judge Nicholas Garaufis with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New Read More
Asylum Derivatives: Asylum Status for Spouses and Children
Many asylum seekers, asylees, and refugees wonder if they can include their family members in their application or if they can obtain status for their family members after being granted asylum in the United States. The answer? It all depends. Family members that may be included as derivatives in asylum applications are limited to the Read More
Alejandro Mayorkas nominated to be the next Secretary of Homeland Security
President Elect Joe Biden is set to nominate Alejandro Mayorkas to be the next Secretary of Homeland Security. If his position is confirmed by the Senate, he would be the first immigrant and first Hispanic American to lead the Department of Homeland Security. As the son of Cuban immigrants who fled Fidel Castro’s Revolution in Read More
The Trump Administration’s Immigration Legacy
During his campaign for the highest office in the land, it was clear that President Trump was not looking to do any favors for immigrants. No one could have predicted the wide-sweeping changes he would make once inaugurated, let alone the pace at which those policies would be implemented. It felt like on an almost Read More