Law Office of Alena Ray Conrad, P.C.

09/02/2026

🚨 Update: A federal judge struck down the Trump administration's ban on immigrant visas for people from 75 countries, ruling that it illegally discriminated based on nationality.

The ban had blocked visa issuance for citizens of countries including Brazil, Colombia, and Afghanistan, even in cases where applicants had already been individually screened and approved. The judge's ruling vacates the ban and also undoes visa denials that were based only on this policy.

⚠️ This isn't necessarily the final word. The administration may choose to appeal this decision, which means the situation could still change.

If you or a loved one has a pending immigrant visa case that was affected by this ban, this is a meaningful development, but it's important to stay informed as this continues to move through the courts.

📩 Want to stay up to date as this case develops? DM us your email address and join our newsletter, we'll keep you posted on major immigration changes like this one as they happen.

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09/01/2026

Public Charge New Rule: What's Changing on 9/18?

Whether the old rule or the new rule applies to your case depends entirely on when it's filed, not when it's approved.

If you're eligible to file your family-based case now, and especially if you or your household plans to apply for or receive any of the benefits listed above on or after September 18, don't wait. Filing before 9/18 could mean your case is evaluated under the current, narrower rule instead of the new one.

Every case is different, your income, your household, and your specific benefits history all matter. Talk to an attorney now to see if filing before the deadline makes sense for you.

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08/31/2026

For a marriage-based green card case, taxes can matter in two different ways:

First, USCIS or the National Visa Center may review the petitioner's taxes for the Affidavit of Support. Usually, the most recent tax year is required, but it is common to prepare the last 3 years of tax information if available.

Second, taxes can also help show that the marriage is real. If you are married and have filed taxes together, joint tax returns can be strong evidence of your shared life.

Your filing status for a tax year depends on whether you were married by December 31st of that year, not when during the year you got married. So if you got married in 2026, you won't file as a married couple until you do your 2026 taxes in early 2027. USCIS knows this and doesn't expect joint returns right away.

Other evidence can still help, such as joint bank accounts, insurance, lease or mortgage documents, utility bills, photos, travel records, and proof that you are building a life together.

Not having enough joint documents can lead to delays or denials. That's why having an attorney represent you is such a big benefit: we know exactly what USCIS is looking for and can advise you how to fill in the gaps.

Are you thinking about submitting your case? Let us guide you, give us a call: 310-987-7172

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08/29/2026

📊 Curious how long a family petition actually takes right now? Here's a snapshot of current I-130 processing times as of 8/28/26, straight from USCIS.

A few things to keep in mind:
🔹 These are averages, not guarantees, every case moves at its own pace
🔹 If unlawful presence applies to your case, the I-601A waiver adds significant time
🔹 Adjustment of Status (I-485) timing varies widely depending on your local office

Processing times change often, so if you're planning to file or you're already in the process, it's worth checking in with an attorney to understand what timeline realistically applies to your case.

📩 Questions about your specific situation? Send us a message and let's book a consult.

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08/28/2026

Updated DACA processing times as of 8/24/26, straight from the USCIS website:

🔺 DACA Renewal: 6.5 months
🔺 Advance Parole: 24 months

Both timelines have gone up! This means planning ahead matters more than ever. If your DACA is coming up for renewal, don't wait until the last minute to start your application.

If you're considering Advance Parole or you're waiting for the approval, we recommend looking into consular processing. AP times continue to increase and the uncertainty of that process is increasing.

Have questions about your timeline or how these delays could affect your case? Send us a message or give us a call: (Tel: 310-987-7172) we're here to help you plan the right next step. Attorney Advertising.

08/27/2026

Muchas personas que podrían calificar para una Visa U esperan demasiado tiempo porque han escuchado información confusa o incorrecta.

Algunos creen que ya pasó demasiado tiempo desde el crimen. Otros piensan que tiene que haber un arresto, una condena o un caso en corte. También hay personas que creen que su historial migratorio automáticamente les impide calificar.

La realidad es que cada caso debe revisarse con cuidado.

Si usted o su hijo fueron víctimas de un delito en Estados Unidos, un buen primer paso puede ser obtener sus documentos: reporte policial, documentos de corte u orden de restricción, si existe.

Estos documentos pueden ayudar a evaluar si una Visa U podría ser una opción y cuáles serían los próximos pasos.

Si conoce a alguien que fue víctima de un crimen y tiene miedo de pedir ayuda, comparta esta información con esa persona. (310)987-7172

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08/19/2026

Green card approved in 7 months. Interview waived. And it all started with DACA renewals.

Our client had DACA for almost 14 years and we helped with every renewal. But DACA was never the finish line.

When he first hired us, Alena reviewed his full immigration history and found he had protection under 245(i), from an old family petition filed years earlier.

That protection meant he could apply for a green card (Adjustment of Status) from inside the U.S. once his priority date became current. The case was approved in about 7 months, well under the posted 14-month processing time and his interview was waived!

The lesson for DACA holders: ask your parents or relatives if anyone ever filed an old immigration petition for you or your parents. A petition filed on or before 4/30/2001 might be able to open doors today.

Every case is different and past results don't guarantee future outcomes. But a careful case review can tell you whether a path forward exists.
📞 Contact us to schedule a green card strategy session with Attorney Alena Ray Conrad: 310-987-7172

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08/18/2026

Gracias, Saul, por compartir su experiencia y por confiar en la abogada Alena Ray Conrad durante su proceso. 💙

Sabemos que un caso migratorio puede traer muchas dudas, estrés e incertidumbre. Por eso, para nuestra oficina es tan importante acompañar a cada cliente con honestidad, preparación,y comunicación clara.

Nos alegra saber que se sintió apoyado en su camino.

Cada caso es diferente y los resultados dependen de los hechos particulares de cada persona.

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08/17/2026

Our free webinar on the upcoming immigration changes just wrapped up, thank you to everyone who joined live!

The recording is being processed now and we'll have it ready to share this week. This one covered the public charge rule change taking effect September 18, the new BIA ruling on advance parole, and what's changing with adjustment of status in 2026, so if you're a DACA holder or thinking about your green card path, you'll want to see it.

DM us "RECORDING" below and we'll send it your way as soon as it's ready. You can also text (213)772-3082.

08/15/2026

This is tomorrow, 8/16/26 at 6pm PT/9pm ET. Join me for for a free webinar on Adjustment of Status: New Changes and How to Prepare.

I'll be going over:
⚠️ This week's court change affecting Advance Parole
⚠️ The public charge rule that starts 9/18/26 and will apply to all family based adjustment of status cases
👩‍💼Live Q&A at the end. Bring your questions!

Don't miss out on learning more about these important updates. Register at the link below or DM the word WEBINAR.

With over 18 years of experience practicing exclusively immigration law, Attorney Alena Ray Conrad has helped hundreds of families navigate their path to permanent residency.

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Adjustment of Status cases are changing, and if you're thinking about applying for your green card, now is the time to understand what these changes could mean for you. (There are changes scheduled for sept 18!)

Join Attorney Alena Ray Conrad for a free live webinar where we'll discuss:
✅ What has changed in Adjustment of Status cases in 2026
✅ The new public charge rule scheduled to start on 9/18
✅ How to strengthen your case before filing
✅ Open Q&A session

Here's why timing matters right now: the public charge rule that applies to your case depends on your filing date, not your decision date. That means the window to file under the current rule is closing, and waiting could change what's required of you.

📅 August 16th
⏰ 6:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM ET
💻 Live on Zoom

Whether you're preparing to file soon or just starting to explore your options, this webinar can help you avoid surprises and make more informed decisions.

Bring your questions because we'll leave time at the end for open Q&A.

Register here: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/41JyzetdVfeVpRRfpMXt

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