The outbreak of a potentially dangerous strain of influenza in Brazil, Canada, México, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere is causing many nations, including the USA, to implement public health precautions to limit further spread of the flu. These precautions may cause delays at US ports-of-entry (POE). The immigration…
Immigration Visa Attorney Blog
USCIS Confirms H-1B Cap Count, the Quota is Still Open for Regular and Advanced Degree Cases
The USCIS (CIS) confirmed that the H-1B quota remains open. About a week ago, CIS issued an update on the count against the H-1B cap, stating that about 43,000 applications were received. This week, CIS confirms that they have received only one-thousand more applications. For advanced degree applicants, there…
“Funny, you don’t LOOK gay.”
Because Romben Law, APC sees many gay men and lesbians at our immigration law offices in Los Angeles, we get inquiries about asylum based on sexual orientation. To get asylum, the applicant must demonstrate to a hearing officer or Immigration Judge (IJ) that s/he would suffer persecution if s/he returned…
H-1B Cap: When is The Last Day to File? H-1B Lottery Clarification
Many people have been calling our office to ask “when is the last day I can file an H-1B?” The US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has clarified how they will determine the “last receipt date” for an H-1B. Initially, the USCIS stated that if a sufficient number of applications…
Labor Certification (PERM) Processing Times
Everyone has noticed how painfully slow labor certification (PERM) cases have become. What was normally about a 45- 60 day adjudication period has now stretched out to 7- 9 months, on average. Last week, the Dept. of Labor (DOL) announced that as of mid-March, they were working on cases that…
HIV Declaration for B-1 + B-2 Visitor Visas Introduced by State Department
The nonimmigrant visa (B-1 / B-2) rules for HIV-positive people who want to visit the USA have been issued by the US Department of State (DOS). Los Angeles-based immigration law firm Romben Law, APC counsels and represents many HIV-positive persons, and unfortunately, the new nonimmigrant HIV Waiver Authorization puts HIV-positive…
2009 Immigration Poverty Guidelines
Here at Romben Law, APC, we handle many cases for which a “financial sponsor” must submit an I-134 or I-864 Affidavit of Support. These “sponsors” must have resources and income sufficient to meet US government “poverty guidelines.” The US Department of Health and Human Services sets the poverty guidelines annually.…
Pending Cal. Initiative Strips Citizenship from Native-Born Americans
A Southern California politician and some anti-immigrant activists are seeking to put a measure on the California ballot that would deny a “regular” California birth certificate to children born in the USA, if the parents are unlawfully present in the country. The initiative would also limit the public benefits such…
TSA to Start “Secure Flight” Screening of Air Passengers
Many of Romben Law, APC’s immigration law clients travel frequently — domestically and internationally. Passengers, whether in Los Angeles or elsewhere, will begin to notice the “Secure Flight” screening. Airlines will input traveler information so that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) can screen each person. Airlines will begin asking not…
Visiting Cuba
The Obama Administration announced a change in policy that will loosen US restrictions on Americans who wish to travel to Cuba. The immigration law firm of Romben Law, APC represents a number of Cubans and others in the Los Angeles area who have asked whether it is now possible to visit…