Verdin Law Firm, LLC

09/01/2026

🚨 USCIS Form Update: New Form I-864 Required Immediately

Important update for anyone preparing an Affidavit of Support: USCIS has published a new edition of Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA, with an edition date of August 24, 2026.

⚠️ There is NO grace period. USCIS will only accept the new edition beginning August 31, 2026. Submitting an outdated edition may result in your filing being rejected.

📅 More USCIS form changes are coming:

September 15, 2026: Revised Form I-539 and Form I-765 required
September 18, 2026: Revised Form I-485 required
❌ Old editions will be rejected with no grace period
If you are preparing to file an immigration application, make sure you are using the correct form edition before submitting your case. A rejected filing can mean additional delays, costs, and missed deadlines.

👩‍⚖️ Need help preparing your immigration filing? Our immigration law firm can help you navigate USCIS form changes and ensure your application is prepared using the appropriate forms.

📌 This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. USCIS requirements and form editions can change, so always verify the current requirements before filing.

09/01/2026

⚠️ Noncitizens and U.S. Voting: What You Need to Know

With federal primary and general elections approaching, noncitizens should be aware that registering to vote or voting in a U.S. election when not legally eligible can have serious immigration consequences.

Potential issues can arise even when voter registration happens unintentionally—for example, through:

🚗 A motor vehicle transaction
🏛️ A public benefits application
📝 An agency processing or data-entry error
👤 Unauthorized action by a third party
For noncitizens, an unexpected voter registration record can create significant immigration concerns, including potential complications with applications for immigration benefits or naturalization.

If you are a noncitizen, do not assume that an unexpected voter registration is harmless. If you discover that you may have been registered to vote or voted in an election, speak with an experienced immigration attorney before taking further action.

Our immigration law firm is available to help assess your individual circumstances and discuss potential immigration implications.

📌 Important: Immigration consequences can depend on the specific facts of each case. This post is for general informational purposes and is not legal advice.

08/18/2026

New Blog: Start or Buy a Cleaning Business to Get an E-2 Visa

Thinking about using an E-2 visa to move to the United States—but not sure what type of business makes sense?

A cleaning company can be a viable E-2 investment, whether you build one from scratch or buy a cleaning franchise. But the lowest-cost option isn't necessarily the strongest visa strategy.

Our latest article breaks down:

• The four key tests your E-2 investment must satisfy
• Starting a cleaning company from scratch vs. buying a franchise
• How to demonstrate a substantial, at-risk investment
• Why marginality can be a challenge for small cleaning businesses
• Common reasons E-2 cleaning business cases are denied
• How to choose the right path before you commit your funds

If you're considering a cleaning business as your E-2 investment, read the full article before you spend the money.

👉 Read: “Start or Buy a Cleaning Business to Get an E-2 Visa. Here's How”

Read the full blog article: https://www.verdinlaw.com/post/start-or-buy-a-cleaning-business-to-get-an-e-2-visa-heres-how

Updated on Aug 14, 2026. Can a cleaning business get you an E-2 visa? Compare starting from scratch against buying a franchise, and see where these cases get denied.

08/14/2026

🚨 IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR ADVANCE PAROLE HOLDERS 🚨

The Board of Immigration Appeals just overruled one of the most relied-upon protections for people adjusting status while traveling on advance parole.
In Matter of Delcarmen-Lara, 29 I&N Dec. 830 (BIA 2026), the BIA overturned Matter of Arrabally and Yerrabelly (2012) — the case that, for over a decade, held that leaving the U.S. on advance parole was NOT a "departure" that could trigger inadmissibility under INA § 212(a)(9)(B)(i)(II).

That protection is gone. Under this new decision:
➡️ A trip abroad on advance parole now CAN count as a "departure" that triggers the 3- or 10-year unlawful presence bar under § 212(a)(9)(B)(i)(II).
➡️ This can make you INADMISSIBLE and ineligible to adjust status — even if you were told advance parole would let you travel safely while your case was pending.

⚖️ One important note: the BIA applied this new rule PROSPECTIVELY (going forward), not retroactively. So travel that already happened under the old rule should still be evaluated under Arrabally and Yerrabelly. But any trip taken AFTER this decision is now at risk.

🛑 WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU
If you accrued more than 180 days of unlawful presence before you got advance parole, and you are thinking about traveling — STOP. Do not book that trip without talking to an immigration attorney first. What used to be routine, protected travel could now put your entire adjustment of status case in jeopardy.
This is a major shift. Don't rely on outdated advice from friends, family, or old blog posts. The law just changed.

📞 If you or someone you know has advance parole and is considering travel, contact our office before making any plans.



⚠️ This post is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Every case is different — consult a licensed immigration attorney about your specific situation.

08/10/2026

📢 August 2026 Visa Bulletin: F2A Moves 18 Months Forward

The August 2026 Visa Bulletin brings a significant development for family-based immigration cases: the F2A final action date moved forward approximately 18 months, from January 1, 2025 to July 22, 2026 for most countries. Mexico’s date moved to July 22, 2025.

But what does this mean for your immigration case?

Among the key developments:

🔹 F2A is effectively current for many applicants, creating an important opportunity for cases that are ready for approval.

🔹 F1 advanced approximately 10½ months, while F4 advanced 8 months for most countries.

🔹 Employment-based categories saw limited movement. EB-2 did not advance, and EB-3 moved forward by just one month.

🔹 EB-2 India and EB-5 Unreserved India remain unavailable through the end of the fiscal year.

🔹 The State Department has also warned that retrogression may occur, particularly as we approach the start of the new fiscal year in October.

The F2A advancement is significant, but the details matter. The chart you use, your priority date, whether you are adjusting status in the United States or processing through a consulate, and the possibility of future retrogression can all affect what the August bulletin means for your case.

📖 Read our full analysis of the August 2026 Visa Bulletin to understand the changes and what they may mean for family- and employment-based immigration cases.

👉 Read the full article: https://www.verdinlaw.com/post/august-2026-visa-bulletin-f2a-moves-18-months-forward

Immigration laws and visa availability can change frequently. This post is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.

Updated on Aug 03, 2026. F2A just jumped 18 months. Here is why it may not last, plus what changed for F1, F4, and the employment categories in the August 2026 bulletin.

08/07/2026

What is a Public Charge Bond?

In this video, we explain what a public charge bond is, who it may apply to, and what it means for some immigration cases.

Watch the video to learn more. If you have questions, our office is here to help.

08/06/2026

🚨 Big changes are coming for F-1, J-1, and I visa holders.

For decades, many international students, exchange visitors, and foreign media representatives were admitted to the U.S. under Duration of Status (D/S). That is changing.

Beginning September 15, 2026, DHS will replace D/S with fixed admission periods, fundamentally changing how authorized stay is calculated. Your Form I-94—not your visa expiration date—will determine how long you can remain in the United States.

Our latest article explains:
✔️ What the new rule means for F, J, and I visa holders
✔️ How the transition rules work for those already in D/S
✔️ Why international travel could affect your status
✔️ When an extension of stay with USCIS may be required
✔️ Important changes to grace periods, OPT, transfers, and dependents
✔️ Practical steps you should take before September 15

This is one of the most significant changes to student and exchange visitor immigration rules in years. If you're studying, participating in an exchange program, working on OPT, or advising international students, now is the time to understand how these changes may affect you.

📖 Read the full article to learn what you should review now—and how to avoid unexpected issues with your immigration status.

https://www.verdinlaw.com/post/dhs-is-ending-duration-of-status-what-does-it-mean-for-f-j-and-i-visa-holders

Updated on Aug 03, 2026. The duration of status rule ends September 15, 2026. See how fixed admission periods, I-94 dates, and extensions of stay affect F, J, and I visa holders.

07/31/2026

Practice Alert: Increased DHS Detentions Reported at U.S. Airports During Domestic Travel

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has issued a practice alert following reports of increased DHS detentions at U.S. airports involving individuals traveling domestically, including those with:
• Pending adjustment of status applications
• Pending asylum applications
• Valid Employment Authorization Documents (EADs)
• Advance Parole

While these reports are still developing, they underscore the importance of understanding how your immigration status may impact your travel plans.

If you have a pending immigration case or questions about traveling within the United States, we encourage you to speak with an experienced immigration attorney before you travel.

Our office is closely monitoring these developments and will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

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🚨 Alerta para la comunidad: Se reporta un aumento en las detenciones del DHS en aeropuertos de EE. UU. durante viajes nacionales

La Asociación Estadounidense de Abogados de Inmigración (AILA) ha emitido una alerta tras recibir reportes sobre un aumento en las detenciones realizadas por el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS) en aeropuertos de Estados Unidos que involucran a personas que viajan dentro del país, incluyendo a quienes tienen:

• Solicitudes de ajuste de estatus pendientes
• Solicitudes de asilo pendientes
• Documentos de Autorización de Empleo (EAD) válidos
• Permiso de viaje (Advance Parole)

Aunque estos reportes aún están en desarrollo, resaltan la importancia de comprender cómo su estatus migratorio puede afectar sus planes de viaje.

Si tiene un caso de inmigración pendiente o tiene preguntas sobre viajar dentro de los Estados Unidos, le recomendamos consultar con un abogado de inmigración con experiencia antes de viajar.

Nuestra oficina está monitoreando de cerca estos acontecimientos y continuará proporcionando actualizaciones a medida que haya más información disponible.

www.verdinlaw.com

07/30/2026

Practice Alert: Increased DHS Detection Reported at U.S. Airports During Domestic Travel.

07/10/2026

🌟 Thank You for Your Kind Words! 🌟

Thank you for trusting Verdin Law with your adjustment of status case. We are honored to have been part of your immigration journey and are thrilled to hear about your successful approval of your 10-year green card!

Helping our clients feel informed, prepared, and supported throughout the process is always our goal.

Congratulations on this exciting milestone! We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to assisting you again when you're ready to begin your naturalization journey.

Thank you for choosing Verdin Law!

📲 Learn more: www.verdinlaw.com
📞 Call us: (214) 741-1700
📧 Email: [email protected]

Verdin Law — Standing with you, every step of the way.