Law Office of Michael Ponder

04/05/2026

Wishing a happy and peaceful Easter to all the families we've had the privilege of serving over the years. This holiday is a reminder of renewal, hope, and new beginnings. Those are values at the heart of every immigration journey we've been honored to be part of.
From our family to yours. ¡Felices Pascuas!

02/20/2026

Good news in immigration: A federal judge in California ruled the government can’t use a sweeping “mandatory detention/no bond” policy as a shortcut, and reaffirmed a basic principle: people deserve due process, including the chance to ask for release while their case is pending. For families, that can mean the difference between a parent coming home or not.

If you’ve been feeling discouraged lately, let this be a reminder: the law still has guardrails, and it’s not all bad news. We’re seeing deserving people get approved every week—and with the right strategy and preparation, it can still be done.

Source: Reuters (Feb 19, 2026):

A federal judge threw out on Wednesday an administrative board's decision endorsing the Trump administration's policy of subjecting thousands of people arrested during its immigration crackdown to mandatory detention.

02/03/2026

I want to answer a question I hear constantly:

“My child is a U.S. citizen and over 21 — can they help me get my green card?”

Sometimes, yes. But there isn’t one simple answer because immigration law depends heavily on how you entered the U.S. and your history.

If you entered with a visa, there is a good chance that you may be eligible to apply for your green card in the U.S. through adjustment of status.

If you entered without permission, you may still qualify through other paths—like Military Parole in Place (for military families), 245(i) (older filings), DACA advance parole (for some), a U visa (certain crime victims), or consular processing with a waiver when you have a qualifying relative (often a U.S. citizen or green card holder spouse or parent) to support that waiver approach.

If you’re not sure which category you fit into—this is exactly where good legal advice helps. Call us if you'd like help.

01/04/2026

Today we’re celebrating a wonderful outcome: a green card approval.

In these challenging times, it matters to share good news—family-based immigration cases are still being approved, and with the right legal guidance, it is generally safe to attend your local USCIS interview as scheduled.

This family’s future is more secure, and we are honored to have helped them reach this milestone.

12/30/2025

Preparar una petición VAWA sólida requiere pruebas claras y bien organizadas.

Aquí tienes cuatro consejos esenciales para fortalecer tu solicitud:
1️⃣ Reúne cualquier documento que muestre el abuso como informes policiales, registros médicos, fotos o mensajes.
2️⃣ Escribe una declaración personal detallada explicando tu relación y el abuso que experimentaste.
3️⃣ Recopila declaraciones de apoyo de amigos, familiares, consejeros u otras personas que hayan presenciado lo ocurrido.
4️⃣ Organiza tus pruebas por categorías para que USCIS pueda entender fácilmente cada requisito.

Un expediente completo y bien estructurado puede mejorar significativamente tus posibilidades de aprobación.
📩 Tu consulta es totalmente confidencial.

12/26/2025

Presentar una petición VAWA puede ser emocional y legalmente difícil.

Un abogado de inmigración con experiencia puede ayudarte a determinar si cumples los requisitos, reunir pruebas sólidas, proteger tu confidencialidad y guiarte en cada etapa del proceso (incluyendo el camino hacia la Green Card)

📩 Tu consulta es confidencial.

12/23/2025

Según la ley federal, las peticiones VAWA son estrictamente confidenciales.
USCIS tiene prohibido notificar al agresor, compartir tu información o revelar tu dirección.

Tu caso permanece privado en cada etapa.
Tu seguridad es la prioridad.

📩 Tu consulta es completamente confidencial.

12/19/2025

Existen muchos mitos sobre VAWA.

La realidad es:
✔ Protege a todos los géneros
✔ El agresor nunca es notificado
✔ Puedes solicitar incluso si todavía estás casado

Infórmate con datos reales. Tu seguridad es lo primero.
📩 Consulta confidencial disponible.

12/16/2025

Este es el proceso paso a paso para solicitar VAWA:
1️⃣ Presentar el Formulario I-360, la petición oficial para auto-peticionarios VAWA.
2️⃣ Enviar las pruebas de apoyo (incluyendo evidencia del abuso, relación, convivencia y buen carácter moral)
3️⃣ Recibir la Determinación Prima Facie (USCIS confirma que tu caso parece válido según las pruebas iniciales)
4️⃣ Revisión de USCIS (la agencia evalúa toda tu petición y documentación)
5️⃣ Si se aprueba, obtienes acceso a protecciones como acción diferida y puedes solicitar la Green Card y el permiso de trabajo.

Si necesitas ayuda para preparar tu caso, te guiamos en cada paso.
📩 Tu consulta es confidencial.

12/12/2025

If you (or a loved one) are serving in the U.S. military and you have a family member who is undocumented, there is a little-known option that may help: **Military Parole in Place (Military PIP).**

**What Military PIP can do (in the right case):**

* Helps certain military families reduce the risk of separation.
* Can provide a period of authorized stay (often granted in 1-year increments).
* May open the door to a work permit and, for some people, a safer path toward adjustment of status—without leaving the U.S.

**Who may be eligible to request it:**

* Certain spouses, parents, and sons/daughters of active-duty service members, Selected Reserve, and some veterans (including some situations involving a deceased service member).

**Important notes:**

* This is discretionary (not automatic) and requires a careful screening of your immigration history.
* Military PIP is generally aimed at people who are in the U.S. without being admitted or paroled. If someone entered with a visa and later overstayed, a different option (like deferred action) may be more appropriate.

If you want to read the official USCIS overview, start here:
https://www.uscis.gov/military/discretionary-options-for-military-members-enlistees-and-their-families

If your family is in this situation and you want to know whether Military PIP is a fit, send me a message or call our office for a consultation.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will accept and consider, on a case-by-case basis, parole requests under section 212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) from certain alien current and former military service members, and qualifying family members of current and former militar...

12/12/2025

VAWA reconoce muchas formas de abuso, no solo la violencia física.

El abuso puede incluir:
• Agresión (daño físico)
• Abuso emocional e intimidación
• Manipulación psicológica
• Abuso o coerción sexual
• Aislamiento forzado
• Control financiero o retención de recursos

Si estás sufriendo cualquiera de estas conductas, puede que cumplas los requisitos para la protección VAWA.
📩 Tu consulta es confidencial.