Attorneys

By Susan E. Hill On August 14, 2019 DHS published its final rule on “public charge,” increasing its scrutiny of the financial status of most people seeking lawful status from inside the U.S. Here is the important information: What is “public charge?” This is a person who will rely on public benefits in the future. […]

By Alary E. Piibe What’s a person to do when they qualify for a green card but USCIS tells them to file it with the wrong agency? One recent client’s case is a prime example of the nightmarish tangle when a person is caught between USCIS and Immigration Court. USCIS refused to take jurisdiction over […]

By Susan E. Hill Here are common mistakes people make when using their ESTA/ visitor visa. Some get away with it, but if you’re caught the consequences are severe, and you could be barred from the United States. Remember, it only takes one officer having a bad day to make your day even worse. Here’s […]

By Susan E. Hill In this age of growing acceptance for marijuana use, be aware that the U.S. federal government does not share the tolerance. Marijuana use can devastate an immigration case, even if it was used lawfully under another country’s laws—or even lawfully under a U.S. state’s laws. Our federal drug laws still forbid […]

By Alary E. Piibe I attended a green card interview with my client today and walked away with a sense of relief that I had been there to help. This is a long-time client of almost 20 years, and during all this time the government has been trying to deport him. After today, he may […]

August 29, 2018 The year 2018 shows that USCIS is taking a tougher stance on O-1 visas. Cases at the Administrative Appeals Office demonstrate certain trends, along with Hill & Piibe’s experience on its own cases. The USCIS website lists O-1 visa criteria here, and the following are some of the more notable trends in […]

By Alary E. Piibe Former state judge Roy Moore is the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate for the state of Alabama. With the Alabama special Senate election only days away, a number of women have come forward with stories of how Moore forced himself on them while the women were just teenagers – one as […]

When marrying a U.S. citizen, the question usually arises during the wedding plans: Should we get a fiancé visa or apply for a green card instead? The answer depends on your timeline and your goals. But for those who have flexibility, right now it seems that the green card option is the most economical. Green […]

Yesterday the Trump Administration announced the end of DACA. Within hours, we sent out a newsletter edition about this development, which contained the details and FAQ’s about how and when this program will end. Across America, there has been an outpouring of opposition to President Trump’s decision. While this blog generally does not engage in political […]

At our law firm, some new clients make an appointment to ask us about starting a “Cancellation of Removal,” or a “Ten-Year Case.” Most of the time, they have heard about this from a friend, or even from a notario (non-attorney) or an attorney. It requires the client to give him/herself up to DHS by applying for […]