Lawrence J. Needle, PA - Immigration Firm

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Lawrence J. Needle, PA - Immigration Firm Immigration law firm with over 20 years experience and locations in Columbia, Myrtle Beach, and Charleston, SC. Lawrence J. Needle, P.A. Mr.

is an immigration law firm with national and international expertise. The firm has two offices to better serve the many clients throughout the state, nation, and in foreign countries. The headquarters for the firm is located in Columbia with an extension office in Charleston. Needle processes immigration matters at all U.S. immigration service centers as well as district and local immigration sub-offices. www.lneedle.com
www.linkedin.com/pub/lawrence-needle/42/a06/802/

Current clients include universities, colleges, public schools, hospitals and professional staffing companies, corporations, investors and individuals. We routinely assist with spousal/child/parent petitions, deferred action (DACA) applications, green card applications, citizenship/naturalization applications, work authorizations, investment visas, consular processing, H-1B and other employment visas, and appeals and motions through the Board of Immigration Appeals. Needle, a graduate of both the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and Law Center, has more than twenty years of professional experience in immigration, nationality and employment law. Needle is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and of the South Carolina State Bar Association. Needle has chaired the Immigration Law subsection of the Employment and Labor Law section of the South Carolina Bar Association, has served as Treasurer of the Carolinas Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and speaks and writes extensively on immigration and employment issues.

Immigration & Domestic Travel: Know Before You GoDomestic travel can carry different risks depending on your immigration...
09/14/2026

Immigration & Domestic Travel: Know Before You Go

Domestic travel can carry different risks depending on your immigration status. Whether you are undocumented, in the U.S. on a visa, or a green card holder, it’s important to understand your rights and what documents you should carry.

Our latest resources cover:
🪪 Required documents & identification
✈️ Air travel & airport encounters
📸 Facial recognition opt-out rights
🚌 Bus & train travel
🚗 Travel through higher-risk states
⚖️ What to do if you are stopped or detained

📌 Save this post. Share it with your family and community. And, if you have questions about your specific situation, seek legal advice before you travel.

If you have questions about your specific immigration situation, consult an experienced immigration attorney - Lawrence J. Needle, PA - Immigration Firm Immigration Firm before you travel.

***This post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Information is based on AILA materials updated July 31, 2026.***

⚠️ Important USCIS Policy Change for Green Card Applicants ⚠️USCIS has changed how it reviews many Adjustment of Status ...
08/31/2026

⚠️ Important USCIS Policy Change for Green Card Applicants ⚠️

USCIS has changed how it reviews many Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) applications filed in the United States.

Under the new policy, meeting the eligibility requirements does not automatically mean your I-485 will be approved. USCIS officers may now weigh positive and negative factors, including:

▪️ Immigration history and lawful status
▪️ Family ties in the U.S.
▪️ Employment, skills, and community contributions
▪️ Moral character
▪️ Reasons for adjusting status in the U.S. rather than through consular processing abroad

⚠️ H-1B, L-1, and other dual-intent status holders are not automatically guaranteed approval. ⚠️

Have a pending I-485 or are you considering Adjustment of Status? Your individual immigration history and circumstances may be more important than ever.

📞 Contact our office to discuss how this policy may affect your case.

⚠️ H-1B & H-4 Visa Applicants: Important Update ⚠️U.S. consular posts are rescheduling many H-1B and H-4 visa interviews...
01/09/2026

⚠️ H-1B & H-4 Visa Applicants: Important Update ⚠️

U.S. consular posts are rescheduling many H-1B and H-4 visa interviews following the rollout of a new online presence review requirement. Some appointments scheduled for late 2025 are being pushed to March–June 2026.

🔹 Applicants are being told not to appear on their original interview date
🔹 Biometrics appointments remain valid
🔹 Rescheduling options are limited

This AILA practice alert offers guidance on these changes, why they’re occurring, and what applicants should know. We encourage those affected to stay informed and reach out for support as they navigate these updates.

👉 Please read and share to help keep our community informed.

🚨 Important Immigration Update 🚨New USCIS policy changes are impacting asylum seekers, refugees, and individuals from ce...
01/09/2026

🚨 Important Immigration Update 🚨

New USCIS policy changes are impacting asylum seekers, refugees, and individuals from certain “high-risk” countries — including paused applications, re-reviews, and possible delays across many immigration benefits.

📄 This flyer from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) breaks down:

-Who is affected

-What applications are paused

-What this means for pending and approved cases

If you or someone you know may be impacted, it’s important to stay informed and speak with a qualified immigration attorney.

👉 Please read and share this flyer to help spread awareness.

07/31/2025

U.S. Reps. Marc Veasey, Jasmine Crockett and Julie Johnson said in a letter to top immigration officials they have received reports alleging overcrowding, lack of water and poor ventilation at the Dallas ICE field office, allegations ICE denies.

I am speaking at an immigration seminar in Atlanta on USA and India business interests on July 10th. See attached:If any...
06/27/2025

I am speaking at an immigration seminar in Atlanta on USA and India business interests on July 10th. See attached:
If anyone is interested in attending, please let us know!

The Trump Administration's June 2025 Travel Ban :On June 4, 2025, the Trump Administration issued a new travel ban targe...
06/17/2025

The Trump Administration's June 2025 Travel Ban :
On June 4, 2025, the Trump Administration issued a new travel ban targeting immigration and certain types of nonimmigrant travel from 19 countries. It takes effect on June 9, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. EDT.

🌍 Countries Affected
Fully Banned (immigrants and nonimmigrants):

Afghanistan
Burma
Chad
Republic of the Congo
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Haiti
Iran
Libya
Somalia
Sudan
Yemen

Partially Banned (immigrants and select nonimmigrant visa types — B, F, M, J):

Burundi
Cuba
Laos
Sierra Leone
Togo
Turkmenistan
Venezuela

✅ Who Is Exempt?
The ban does not apply to:

People with valid U.S. visas as of June 9, 2025
Green card holders
Dual nationals (if traveling on a passport from a non-banned country)
Afghan SIV holders and applicants
Some persecuted minorities from Iran
Immediate family immigrants with strong identity proof
Certain athletes and support personnel
Adopted children with qualifying visas
U.S. government employees with SIVs
Holders of diplomatic and official visas (A, G, NATO, etc.)
Refugees and asylees (though refugee access is limited by a separate order)
People in the U.S. applying for asylum or protection

⚖️ Case-by-Case Exceptions
Only two possible high-level exceptions:

Attorney General – for DOJ-related U.S. interests
Secretary of State – for national interest
Unlike the 2017 Muslim Ban, there’s no waiver process for undue hardship.

📌 Other Key Points
The ban does not revoke existing visas.
It does not affect people already inside the U.S..
Family separation risk exists for those in the U.S. with relatives in banned countries.
Asylum applications from within the U.S. or at ports of entry are still allowed.
Visa petitions (e.g., I-130) can still be filed, but final entry may be denied.
Adjustment of status (for eligible people already in the U.S.) is unaffected.

⏳ Duration & Future Updates
Duration is unclear.
A review is required in 90 days, then every 180 days.
Countries may be added or removed based on compliance with U.S. vetting standards.

Egypt is not banned yet, but is under review.

🚨 New USCIS Fingerprint Rule – Effective NowDHS now requires certain noncitizens in the U.S. to register and provide fin...
04/21/2025

🚨 New USCIS Fingerprint Rule – Effective Now

DHS now requires certain noncitizens in the U.S. to register and provide fingerprints if they’ve been here 30+ days and haven’t done so already.

👤 Applies to noncitizens age 14+
📝 Register via MyUSCIS + submit Form G-325R
📅 Must attend a biometrics appointment
🪪 Must carry proof of registration if age 18+
👉 Start here: uscis.gov/alienregistration
How to Create a USCIS online account (step by step with video) : https://www.uscis.gov/file-online/how-to-create-a-uscis-online-account
The Fingerprint Registration Rule: https://www.aila.org/library/practice-alert-dhs-to-publish-the-alien-registration-form-and-evidence-of-registration-interim-final-rule

03/08/2024

⭐️🌍International Women's Day🌍⭐️

As an immigration law firm, we stand committed to championing the rights and opportunities of immigrant women and their families, ensuring they have the support and resources to thrive here in America. Today, we honor the resilience, achievements, and contributions of women worldwide and pay tribute to the influential immigrant women who have left an indelible mark on history, breaking barriers and inspiring generations to come.

🚨REMINDER 🚨U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Premium Processing Fees have increased, effective February 26, 2024...
02/27/2024

🚨REMINDER 🚨

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Premium Processing Fees have increased, effective February 26, 2024. Contact your attorney to see if filing premium is worth the increase!

Address

1331 Elmwood Avenue Suite 160
Columbia, SC
29201

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+18033761203

Website

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