Langar Law Firm

12/08/2020

#LangarVibes: Dear Zulfiya, congratulations on becoming a #USCitizen in less than seven (7) months!

Zulfiya hired #LangarLaw for her naturalization application in April 2020. After checking her eligibility, we were concerned about her English language skills. We wanted to make sure that she speaks fluent English and can pass #CivicsTest. When Attorney Mirakmal Niyazmatov explained the requirements and asked if she could pass the civics test, Zulfiya gave a short, but decisive answer: "I will prepare for the test and pass it."

We submitted her case on May 2020 and she had a #Naturalization interview today. Guess what? She NAILED both components of the naturalization test. She was lucky to have the #OathCeremony on the same day and as of 2pm today, she is a U.S. citizen.

But more importantly, #Immigrants like Zulfiya make the U.S. more prosperous and a better place--she speaks at least three languages, has an impeccable employment history, raised three high-achiever children and simply a wonderful person. #Immigration makes America great!

Opaginam, once again, congratulations on becoming a U.S. citizen! Thank you for trusting Langar Law Firm. It was wonderful to be your attorney!

12/08/2020

AILA - USCIS Updates Policy Guidance on Prerequisite of Lawful Admission for Permanent Residence for Purposes of Naturalization

#PolicyAlert: #USCIS updated guidance on ineligibility for #Naturalization.

USCIS: "Applicants are ineligible for naturalization if they obtained lawful permanent residence (#GreenCard, #LPR) status in error, by fraud or otherwise not in compliance with the law.”
https://www.aila.org/infonet/uscis-updates-policy-guidance-on-prerequisite

USCIS updated policy guidance affirming that an applicant is ineligible for naturalization in cases where they did not obtain LPR status lawfully, including cases where the U.S. government was unaware of disqualifying facts and granted AOS to that of an LPR or admitted the applicant as an LPR.

12/02/2020

Court vacates new rules that sought to restrict H-1B visas | Stanford News

#H1B: District Court judge struck down new #DOL and #DHS rules that would have restricted the #H1Bvisa program.

Judge Jeffrey White said that the unemployment crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic was not ‘good cause’ for the DHS and DOL to bypass the administrative requirements needed when issuing the two Interim Final Rules.

https://news.stanford.edu/2020/12/01/court-vacates-new-rules-sought-restrict-h-1b-visas/

A U.S. District Court judge struck down new Department of Labor and Department of Homeland Security rules that would have restricted the H-1B visa program.

12/01/2020

Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers

#ABIL Offers 12 Business #Immigration Recommendations for the Incoming #Biden Administration.

ABIL has drafted 12 recommendations to reform business immigration in the early days of the Biden administration. The recommendations focus on actions the new administration can take administratively and quickly to benefit the largest number of individuals, families, and businesses, while spurring domestic job growth and economic prosperity. ABIL’s recommendations align with the consensus recognition by the incoming administration and the Joint Economic Committee of Congress regarding the economic value that immigrants and immigration bring to the United States.
www.abil.com/news_items/ABIL%20Business%20Immigration%20Recommendations%20-%20FINAL.pdf

11/17/2020

128 Civics Questions and Answers (2020 version)

#NewCivicsTest: If you are planning to submit your #N400 after December 1, 2020, you will be required to take the following #2020CivicsTest. Are you ready?

- How long is a term for a U.S. senator? 😉

https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship-resource-center/the-2020-version-of-the-civics-test/128-civics-questions-and-answers-2020-version?fbclid=IwAR0JxfrzvGEs-Qr_HK4nXoNNKkw5p3IGe4cFQMVb0j0pJQDrOKwIdlv0fYQ

Important Updates to the Naturaliza

11/16/2020

Kansas welcomed my immigrant parents. Then I built Dropbox, an $8 billion company

#Immigrants: "I am incredibly fortunate that Kansas welcomed my family. Feeling fully #American — and feeling that others saw me as American — gave me the courage to pursue my dreams and the confidence I needed to start #Dropbox and create thousands of jobs. [...]

I want future generations of #immigrant families to get the same opportunity — so that they can build bright futures here and lift us all up along the way.

https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/readers-opinion/guest-commentary/article247144404.html?fbclid=IwAR18HScjdBgGDsTCxLl3Vhi-Llnm9CcVNbwQkUh_ndQz1j5s9tbloaZv2xI

Overland Park native Arash Ferdowsi, co-founder of Dropbox, is proof of how valuable immigrants are to the United States.

11/16/2020

Biden’s Immigration Plan Is a Promising Start in the Work Ahead

#BidenPlan: "Biden’s #ImmigrationPlan is a strong start. But we must remember that it is just that—a start. The real work of rebuilding our country into a nation that accepts and embraces #immigrants will take years of dedication. We must continue that work no matter who occupies the #WhiteHouse."

https://immigrationimpact.com/2020/11/12/biden-immigration-plan/?emci=7b6a61a3-3025-eb11-9fb4-00155d03affc&emdi=8c42e350-5c27-eb11-9fb4-00155d03affc&ceid=8820444#.X7H8SGhKg2x

Joe Biden’s plan on immigration stands in stark contrast to the xenophobic agenda the Trump administration put forward during its time in office.

11/14/2020

Report: Trump Administration Plans Changes To Citizenship Test Which Could Increase Difficulty

#CivicsTest: The revised version will include more questions that test the applicant’s understanding of U.S. history and civics. There are no changes to the passing score (60%), but applicants must answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly. #Naturalization #N400

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2020/11/10/report-trump-administration-plans-changes-to-citizenship-test-which-could-increase-difficulty/?sh=411913f47432

The Trump administration is looking to lengthen the naturalization test, which could make it more difficult for immigrants to become U.S. citizens.

10/30/2020

Stephen Miller reveals Trump's immigration agenda if he's re-elected

Miller outlined four major priorities: 1) limiting #Asylum grants; 2) punishing and outlawing #Sanctuary cities; 3) expanding the #TravelBan with tougher screening for visa applicants; and 4) new limits on #WorkVisas.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/trump-adviser-stephen-miller-reveals-aggressive-second-term-immigration-agenda-n1245407

The Trump adviser says the president would fight to limit asylum, target "sanctuary cities," expand the "travel ban" and cut work visas.

10/28/2020

Trump aide Stephen Miller preparing second-term immigration blitz

#BirthrightCitizenship: "Those items are expected to include attempting to eliminate birthright #citizenship, making the #USCitizenship test more difficult to pass, ending the program which protects people from #deportation when there is a crisis is their country (#TPS-Temporary Protected Status) and slashing #refugee admissions even further, to zero."

The hardline adviser is said to be ready to unleash executive orders deemed too extreme for a president seeking re-election

10/27/2020

#GoodVibes: Extremely happy for my clients.

#GreenCard approved for a spouse of an #LPR (#PermanentResident). Welcome to the United States!

#Timeline:
- 05/13/2019: Submitted Form I-130
- 09/16/2019: Submitted Form I-485
- 10/16/2020: Form I-485 approved (in 13 months)

10/21/2020

In Aurora, Colorado, we welcome immigrants. This is why your city should, too

#WelcomeImmigrants: Thank you Mayor Mike Coffman!

"We all win when we all have access to the #AmericanDream."

As a mayor who is also a Republican, I’m making immigrant integration a priority, charting a new course for my political party and breaking its anti-immigrant stigma.

10/15/2020

Immigrants to the U.S. Create More Jobs than They Take

So why are immigrants so much more entrepreneurial than individuals born in the U.S.?

“People who are willing to pick up and move to another country—into the unknown—are risk takers. And there are empirical studies that indicate this,” he says. “They are going to be masters of their own destiny. And that is a personality trait of entrepreneurs.”

Ultimately, he says, what is clear is that economic arguments people use against immigration “appear flatly wrong—immigrants are powerful job creators.”
https://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/article/immigrants-to-the-u-s-create-more-jobs-than-they-take

A new study finds that immigrants are far more likely to found companies—both large and small—than native-born Americans.

10/01/2020

#N400: Naturalization applications are relatively straighforward. As long as you meet eligibility requirements and submit all required forms and supporting documents, you will be scheduled for an interview.

However, it may sometimes get complicated. In this case, it turned into a 65-page application package.

#Reminder: An applicant for #Naturalization must have resided continuously in the U.S. as a permanent resident for at least five years prior to filing the naturalization application (and up to the time of naturalization).

An absence of more than six months but less than one year during the period for which continuous residence is required is presumed to break the continuity of such residence. If this is the case, an applicant must take additional measures to overcome the presumption. #N400

09/25/2020

Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media

#StudentVisa: New Proposed Rule "Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an #Extension of Stay Procedure for #Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media."
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/09/25/2020-20845/establishing-a-fixed-time-period-of-admission-and-an-extension-of-stay-procedure-for-nonimmigrant?fbclid=IwAR2EhTbQCl8BMjIc3hjvEfmVgiThI5q4sVlam4IIIkMMyJvbHXEqNM3HzXU

In fiscal year 2018, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS or the Department) admitted over 2 million foreign nationals into the United States in the F academic student, J exchange visitor, and I representatives of foreign information media nonimmigrant categories. This is a testament to the...

09/24/2020

#HappyEnding: My client and now a dear friend became a #USCitizen today.

This is the #Naturalization application that has been pending for more than 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬.

When we first spoke about this case in June 2020, I advised him to immediately file #WritOfMandamus. Et voilà! He became a citizen four months later.

The U.S. has just became more prosperous--my friend speaks five languages, holds a PhD degree from a reputable university, works at a Fortune 500 company and simply a wonderful person.

#Immigration makes America great!

PS: Thank you for a wonderful dinner!

09/19/2020

Justice Ginsburg Hails Immigrants as the 'Vanguard' to Fight Discrimination in Speech to New Citizens

#RBG: “We are a nation made strong by [#Immigrants]: people who travelled long distances, overcame great obstacles and made tremendous sacrifices, all to provide a better life for themselves and their families.” Rest in Peace.

“We are a nation made strong by people like you," Ginsburg said

09/11/2020

AILA - USCIS Launches SAVE Initiative to Collect Information on Sponsor Deeming and Agency Reimbursement

#Sponsors: #USCIS launched a new initiative (#SAVE) directed at enforcing responsibilities of sponsors of aliens.
"If a sponsored alien receives a means-tested public benefit, the sponsor is responsible, upon request, for reimbursing the agency providing the benefit. An agency can seek a court order for repayment if a sponsor does not issue reimbursement." #AffidavitOfSupport #FormI864

https://www.aila.org/infonet/uscis-launches-save-initiative-to-collect

USCIS launched a new SAVE initiative asking agencies that administer federal means-tested benefits to share how they use sponsorship information in sponsor assessment and agency reimbursement processes, with the goal of helping agencies make eligibility determinations and hold sponsors accountable.

09/11/2020

Immigration agency cuts of 800 Kansas City jobs expected to trigger backlogs, delays nationwide | Kansas Reflector

#Furlough: "[T]he job cuts also more broadly could further delay the ability of USCIS to process #GreenCards, work authorizations and other immigration-related documents nationwide. "
https://kansasreflector.com/2020/09/10/immigration-agency-cuts-of-800-kansas-city-jobs-expected-to-trigger-backlogs-delays-nationwide/?fbclid=IwAR0y-VNjewjZXf1wgTmSnvITjmaLokjJiaF_ovWnTR8Bf8rQGZ5CxKir1OI

WASHINGTON — Members of Congress from the Kansas City region scored a victory last month when a federal immigration agency backed off plans that would have led to thousands of layoffs of government employees in the metro area. But their relief was short lived, as the agency now intends to furlough...

09/10/2020

Let's deliver some #GoodNews to a client. His #ImmigrantVisa case became documetarily qualified.

However, we had to call and explain him that what follows is a long wait time due to a #VisaBan. Unless the proclamations get resciended after November presidential elections, the client's immigrant visa interview will be scheduled only after January 2021. Such are the times!

09/09/2020

The Biden Plan for Securing Our Values as a Nation of Immigrants – Joe Biden for President: Official Campaign Website

#Immigration: Some aspects of the Biden immigration plan to be implemented in the first 100 days:
[1] End separation of parents from their children at the border;
[2] End Trump’s detrimental #Asylum policies;
[3] Reverse #PublicCharge rule;
[4] Protect #Dreamers and their families;
[5] Rescind travel and refugee bans.
https://joebiden.com/immigration/#

It is a moral failing and a national shame when a father and his baby daughter drown seeking our shores. When children are locked away in overcrowded detention centers and the government seeks to keep them there indefinitely. When our government argues in court against giving those children toothbru...

09/09/2020

This case took more time than usual. But it is ready now and we will be mailing it with the USPS Priority Mail today.

09/09/2020

#Approval: Today we received a Receipt Notice with a record-fast approval of #FormI130.

We made a post about this approval a few weeks ago. For those who missed it, here is a short summary.

#LangarLaw submitted Form I-130 for a child of a U.S. citizen. The petition was approved in 𝟒𝟖 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 (including #NVC case creation).

This is the fastest approval in years! Results will vary!

09/05/2020

#DVLawsuit: Excerpt from Judge Amit P. Mehta's decision today in Gomez v. Trump:
#NoVisaBan #DVLottery

09/04/2020

BREAKING: DC Judge Shields Diversity Visa Winners From Ban - Law360

#Breaking: Judge Amit P. Mehta said the federal government had "unreasonably delayed processing" of green cards won by a group of lottery winners and their relatives, who had found themselves unable to secure visas to move to the U.S. under President Donald Trump's visa restrictions.

The judge ordered the federal government to "undertake good-faith efforts" to "expeditiously process and adjudicate" their green card applications by Sept. 30, the end of the government's fiscal year.

https://www.law360.com/immigration/articles/1307817

A D.C. federal judge on Friday temporarily barred the Trump administration from applying its visa ban to foreign citizens who won green cards in the Diversity Visa lottery, finding that the U.S. Department of State's refusal to process their visas is likely illegal.

09/04/2020

#FilingTips: Please use black ink when filling out #Immigration forms.

#FilingTipFriday: If you're paper-filing a form and want to write your answers by hand, use black ink. Do not use blue, red, green or any other color ink pens. Make sure your entries are neat, your handwriting is legible, and your answers fit within the space provided. https://www.uscis.gov/forms-filing-tips

09/01/2020

#Approval: #FormI130 submitted on behalf of my client (U.S. citizen) for his child in #Uzbekistan was approved in 𝟒𝟖 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬, with #NVC case creation.

Timeline:
- July 14, 2020: we submitted From I-130;
- August 31, 2020: we received #ImmigrantVisa case creation notice, with Case and Invoice ID number.

This is the fastest approval in years! Results will vary!

08/26/2020

Federal court strikes down service requirement policy blocking citizenship path

U.S. District Judge Ellen Huvelle: “The United States has a long history of allowing #noncitizens to serve in its military and providing those who serve with an expedited path to #citizenship. But in recent years, despite its need for noncitizen enlistees to fill its ranks, the Department of Defense ... had placed obstacles in that path to citizenship.”

A federal court has struck down a Pentagon policy requiring immigrant troops to serve for six months to a year before they are eligible for expedited citizenship.