CTM Legal Group

09/03/2026

⚖️🌍 Big update for green card applicants: A federal court just struck down the controversial 75-country immigrant visa suspension, ruling it violated the Immigration and Nationality Act — meaning cases must now be reviewed individually, not blocked by nationality alone. Attorney Amanda Mitchell of CTM Legal Group breaks down what the ruling means for affected families and workers, and what to do next.

📖 Read the full analysis: https://www.ctmlegalgroup.com/resources/federal-court-vacates-the-75-country-immigrant-visa-suspension

By CTM Legal Group Updated Aug 26, 2026 7 min read Key takeaways The short version A federal court set aside the 75-country immigrant visa suspension and the refusals based solely on it, ruling it exceeded the government's authority and violated the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Cases must....

09/01/2026

📸 Driving through Illinois? A Flock camera has probably already photographed your plate — even if you've done nothing wrong. Here's what Illinois drivers need to know about ALPR surveillance, the Fourth Amendment, and your rights if you're ever charged based on this data. ⚖️🚗

https://www.ctmlegalgroup.com/resources/flock-cameras-and-your-fourth-amendment-rights-what-illinois-drivers-should-know

Automated license plate readers are showing up on more Illinois streets every year. Here's what that means for your privacy — and your defense — if you're ever charged based on what one of these cameras captured.

08/26/2026

🚨 Green Card Applicants: A New Public Charge Rule Takes Effect September 18, 2026 🚨

USCIS is expanding how it evaluates public charge inadmissibility — from Medicaid and SNAP to housing assistance and financial aid, timing now matters more than ever for your Form I-485. 📋 Attorney Amanda Mitchell of CTM Legal Group breaks down who's affected, who's exempt, and why filing before the deadline could change how your case is reviewed. ⏰

Read the full guide: https://www.ctmlegalgroup.com/resources/new-public-charge-rule-effective-september-18-2026-a-guide-for-green-card-applicants

⚖️

CTM Legal Group Immigration Law Update A major shift in how USCIS evaluates green card applicants takes effect this fall. Here is what is changing, who it affects, and why the date you file could matter.

08/24/2026

🚨 H-1B professionals waiting on a green card, this one's for you: a proposed DHS rule could eliminate the 60-day grace period, and Indian nationals facing severe EB-2/EB-3 backlogs are exploring EB-5 as an employer-independent path to a green card. ⏳💼 Attorney Amanda Mitchell of CTM Legal Group breaks down why the September 30, 2026 EB-5 grandfathering deadline means the window to act is closing fast. 📅

Read more: http://ctmlegalgroup.com/resources/h-1b-to-eb-5-why-indian-professionals-are-acting-before-the-september-30-2026-deadline

08/19/2026

Seeking asylum in the U.S.? The law changed significantly in 2025–2026, and missing the one-year filing deadline can permanently bar your claim. ⚖️ Attorney Amanda Mitchell of CTM Legal Group breaks down eligibility, the five protected grounds, and the new fees and rules you need to know before you file.

📋 Read the full guide: https://www.ctmlegalgroup.com/resources/understanding-asylum-in-the-united-states-eligibility-and-the-path-to-protection



Asylum can be the legal doorway to safety and a permanent future — but the law is technical, the deadlines are unforgiving, and the rules changed sharply in 2025 and 2026. Here is what actually determines who qualifies today.

08/17/2026

🎉👏 CTM Legal Group is thrilled to announce that Attorney Irene Rizzolatti has been named a 2027 Rising Star by Super Lawyers! 🌟

⚖️ From representing clients in asylum, VAWA, U and T Visa, and Adjustment of Status cases to her deep commitment to immigrant communities, Irene's recognition reflects the passionate advocacy she brings to every case.

Read more:

CTM Legal Group is proud to announce that Attorney Irene Rizzolatti has been named a 2027 Rising Star by Super Lawyers, a distinction reserved for a select group of attorneys who demonstrate outstanding legal achievement early in their careers. Born and raised in Italy, Irene brings a global perspec...

08/10/2026

🚨 BREAKING: USCIS Policy Change Effective Now 🚨

Attorney Amanda Mitchell of CTM Legal Group breaks down USCIS Policy Alert PA-2026-05: as of August 5, 2026, officers can deny immigration applications and petitions WITHOUT first issuing an RFE or NOID — and it applies to pending cases too! 📋

⚖️ File complete, well-documented cases from day one, or risk an outright denial with no second chance. Read the full breakdown

👉 https://www.ctmlegalgroup.com/resources/uscis-rfe-and-noid-policy-update-august-2026-what-it-means-for-your-immigration-filing

CTM Legal Group Immigration Team Last updated August 5, 2026 7 min read USCIS Policy Alert · PA-2026-05 Effective August 5, 2026. USCIS officers may now deny an application or petition without first issuing a Request for Evidence or a Notice of Intent to Deny.

08/06/2026

📸 Seen those small cameras on poles around Chicagoland? They're Flock automated license plate readers (ALPRs) — and while damaging one can land you a felony charge in Illinois ⚖️, you actually have legal, effective ways to push back on surveillance and protect your privacy 🔒. Learn what Flock cameras do, what happened to three DuPage County men who vandalized them, and how to protect your rights as an Illinois driver:

If you've noticed a small camera perched on a pole near a busy intersection in your town, there's a good chance it's a Flock Safety camera. These devices have popped up across Chicagoland and downstate Illinois over the past few years, and they've sparked a lot of questions — and a lot of frustrat...

08/05/2026

🚨 Attorney Amanda Mitchell breaks down a major DHS update: "duration of status" is ending for F, J, and I visa holders, replaced with fixed admission dates (up to 4 years for students/exchange visitors), effective Sept 15, 2026. ✈️📚 Attorney Mitchell notes that traveling abroad after that date moves you onto the new fixed-date system — so timing matters. Questions about how this affects your status? Reach out to our immigration team. ⚖️

Affected by the new fixed admission rule? Talk to us → CTM Legal Group ● Immigration Practice Group Immigration Policy Update A new federal rule replaces open-ended status with fixed admission end dates for international students, exchange visitors, and foreign media personnel, scheduled to take...

07/22/2026

🏛️ Thinking about EB-5 investment as a path to a green card? Before you commit capital, it's essential to understand how regional centers actually work — from job-creation requirements to capital stack position, redeployment risk, and the guarantees that matter most.

Attorney Amanda Mitchell breaks down what every EB-5 investor should know before signing anything. Read the full guide here:

Thinking about EB-5 investment as a path to a green card? Before you commit capital, it's essential to understand how regional centers actually work — from job-creation requirements to capital stack position, redeployment risk, and the guarantees that matter most. Attorney Amanda Mitchell breaks d...