Pasadena, California immigration attorney. Experienced, hands on, caring. Malathi Benjamin PLC is an immigration law firm located in Pasadena, CA.
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Our Attorney, an immigrant to the U.S. herself, provides personal and hands on service to her clients. She understands the trials and emotions involved in the immigration process and treats her clients with respect and compassion. Although our firm is based in Pasadena, Malathi Benjamin represents clients throughout Southern California, including Los Angeles, Glendale, Burbank, Alhambra and many other cities. Due to the federal nature of immigration laws she also represents clients based throughout the United States and abroad. Malathi has represented clients from all parts of the world including Africa, Australia, Brazil, Burma, Europe, India, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, and elsewhere.
Mission: To help my clients achieve their dream of a better life.
Operating as usual
DACA is back! https://www.google.com/amp/s/mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKBN28F032
In a rebuke to President Donald Trump's administration, a judge on Friday ordered the U.S. government to reopen to first-time applicants a program that protects from deportation and grants work permits to hundreds of thousands of immigrants who live in the United States...
Honoring all who have served and continue to serve. Thank you for your service.
The “United States deserves an immigration policy that reflects our highest values as a nation” - Joseph Biden
From today (October 19, 2020) premium processing fees are increasing to $2500. The fee increase doesn’t apply to petitions for H-2B or R-1 status.
Premium Processing expansion & fee increase:
Premium processing fees are going up significantly although it isn't clear exactly when. Apparently this is a temporary measure (until December 2020) because the USCIS is running out of money! If you are thinking about premium processing your applications now may be the time to do so. Fees could be as high as $2500 (from $1440 which is the current fee). The program is being expanded to include petitions and applications which are not currently eligible for premium processing.
Premium Processing expansion & fee increase:
Premium processing fees are going up significantly although it isn't clear exactly when. Apparently this is a temporary measure (until December 2020) because the USCIS is running out of money! If you are thinking about premium processing your applications now may be the time to do so. Fees could be as high as $2500 (from $1440 which is the current fee). The program is being expanded to include petitions and applications which are not currently eligible for premium processing.
As predicted, Trump is going after legal immigration too and has been all along. It's just been more subtle and more insidious, and not as headline worthy as locking up babies and children in cages - which continues to happen by the way. He's now going after professionals and more, including H-1Bs, H-4s, L-1s and more.
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/503914-trump-signs-executive-order-suspending-certain-work-visas-through
President Trump on Monday signed an executive order to suspend the issuance of certain temporary worker visas through the end of 2020, cracking down further on immigration after signing a more narrow measure in April.
Reprieve for Dreamers. The Supreme Court decided against the Trump administration’s attempt to rescind the DACA program, ruling that it had not followed proper procedure. The battle isn’t over but we celebrate this victory for now.
https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/scotus-daca-decision-06-18-20/index.html
The Supreme Court has ruled on Trump's move to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a program that protects 700,000 young undocumented immigrants from being deported. Follow here for the latest.
USCIS will resume premium processing of certain petitions over the course of June. Check the link below for the time frame.
https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-resumes-premium-processing-certain-petitions
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that it will resume premium processing for Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker and Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien
USCIS is gearing up to re-open in a limited manner on June 4.
As we prepare to reopen some offices to the public on June 4, we’ll send notices to applicants and petitioners with previously scheduled appointments and interviews. Those who had other appointments must reschedule through the USCIS Contact Center once field offices are open to the public. If visiting our offices, you should follow the safety guidelines and visitor limitations posted and linked to below. For more details: https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-preparing-resume-public-services-june-4
Border between US and Mexico/Canada to be closed until the CDC tells us otherwise.
https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/CDC-265-Order-Renewal_5-19-20-p.pdf
Are you eligible for the IRS stimulus check if you are not a US Citizen or a Permanent Resident?
Possibly yes! Even non-immigrants (H-1Bs, O-1s etc) may qualify as a "resident alien" by the IRS definition, as long as you have a social security number, cannot be claimed as a dependent by someone else, and meet the income requirements. See here for more information: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center#eligibility
Answers to frequently asked questions about Economic Impact Payments (coronavirus stimulus checks). These questions and answers will be updated periodically.
TEMPORARY & LIMITED IMMIGRATION SUSPENSION
Today, President Trump issued a proclamation suspending certain immigration processes for a period of 60 days. The proclamation takes effect at 11:59 PM tonight.
It is more limited in scope than initially feared and applies to those applying for permanent resident status through an immigrant visa from abroad who don't already have an immigrant visa and an official travel document in addition to the visa.
The proclamation doesn't apply to the following:
1. Permanent Residents (even if you are abroad)
2. Those seeking entry to the USA on an immigrant visa as a physician, nurse, healthcare processional; to perform research to combat the spread of Covid-19; or to perform other essential work relating to the Covid-19 outbreak. Their spouse and minor children are also exempt.
3. Entrepreneurs under the EB-5 immigrant investor program
4. Spouses of US Citizens
5. Children of US Citizens (under 21 years old)
6. Those furthering important US law enforcement objectives
7. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their spouses and children
8. Applicants under the Special Immigrant Visa program as Afghan or Iraqi translators/interpreters, or U.S. Government Employee
9. Anyone whose entry would be in the national interest
Asylum seekers are excluded from the proclamation.
Right now, nonimmigrant visa holders are not included (these include H-1B professionals, students, visitors, fiances and more. However, this is going to be reviewed within 30 days.
Although the proclamation is slated to end in 60 days, it can be extended.
USCIS grants a 30 day grace period for those who entered through ESTA and the Visa Waiver program, if their inability to leave the USA is caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Click on the following link for the USCIS response to the pandemic: https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/uscis-response-coronavirus-2019-covid-19
ALERT: As of March 18, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has temporarily suspended routine in-person services through at least May 3 to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
If you received or receive a Request for Evidence or a Notice of Intent to Deny between March 1, 2020 and May 1, 2020, the USCIS is extending the deadline to respond by 60 calendar days from the due date.
In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that it is adopting a measure to assist applicants and petitioners who are responding
USCIS has extended its suspension of in person events until April 7, 2020. This includes ASC appointments for fingerprinting and biometrics.
On March 18, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services temporarily suspended in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and Application Support Centers (ASCs) to help slow the spread of
United We Dream
Read and share:
"USCIS has made exceptions to the new Public Charge rule as to not discourage anyone, including immigrants, to get tested and treated for the virus."
Here are the top 5 things you need to know about the #coronavirus and the Public Charge Rule:
Another win for the Constitution!
A court ruled that policies permitting CBP and ICE to search phones, laptops, and other electronic devices without suspicion are unconstitutional.
Today, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments as to whether DACA should continue or be terminated. The fate of many Dreamers is at stake.
🎥 WATCH LIVE: Home is Here rally at SCOTUS because immigrants are welcome here. Thousands are rallying now on the steps of the Supreme Court to support support DACA and all undocumented people while the court decides the fate of over 800,000 immigrant youth. Watch now, share and show your support for ALL immigrants 🗣 #HomeIsHere
(via act.tv)
This Veterans Day, let’s thank and honor our veterans in more tangible and meaningful ways. Saying “thank you” is a good start, but we need to do more. Here are some great suggestions from a friend and colleague, David Philip, which every one of us can do:
“1. Don't necessarily say "thank you" to a random veteran. It makes a lot of us uncomfortable. If you feel like it makes sense, keep it low key. Instead, buy the veteran behind you in line at the deli their lunch, and don't say anything.
2. If you are having a genuine conversation with a veteran, ask them what they did in the military or where they served or were stationed at. Ask if they have a favorite memory. Don't ask if they were in combat or killed anyone.
3. Donate more than you normally would to an organization making a difference for veterans.
4. Volunteer for an organization making a difference for veterans.
Here is the one I volunteer at in the Twin Cities: https://www.mac-v.
5. Specifically ask tough questions to your elected reps. Ask them what they are doing to specifically support veterans. No one is overtly opposed to helping veterans, so get specific.”
Judge Blocks Trump’s Plan to Bar Immigrants Who Can’t Pay for Health Care
The court ruling is the latest to derail administration initiatives to limit the admission of certain legal immigrants into the United States.
Legal immigration is being attacked, and cases are being denied for nonsensical reasons, putting the financial and time burden on the client to appeal the decision.
The push to "hire American" has created confusion among visa holders and immigration officials alike.
Another burden for immigrants to overcome.
On 10/4/19, President Trump issued a proclamation suspending the entry of immigrants who will not be covered by approved health insurance within 30 days of entry or be able to pay for foreseeable medical costs. The proclamation will be effective at 12:01 am (ET) on 11/3/19. (84 FR 53991, 10/9/19)
United We Dream
Know Your Power and defend yourself against immigration agents!
Spread this information widely for those who might need it. #HereToStay
https://unitedwedream.org/heretostay/know-your-power/
United We Dream
🚨 BREAKING: The Supreme Court of the United States (#SCOTUS) has decided to take on the #DACA case. If you are a DACA recipient you need to renew your work permit as soon as possible! #HereToStay
For resources visit: RenewMyDACA.com
About time! The USCIS forgets that they are funded by applicant's fees and not government money!
Applications for permanent residence and other immigration benefits are taking longer than ever to process. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency responsible for adjudicating these applications, has a backlog at “crisis levels.” While USCIS processing delays have increasi...
This version is in Spanish.
Remembering all fathers on this Father’s Day. Those who can celebrate with their children, and those who are devastated by the heartbreaking forced separation from their children. Praying for change because nothing else is working.
Immigration Resource Center of San Gabriel Valley & One Justice are hosting a FREE legal clinic on Saturday, December 8, 2018 between 11:30 am - 3:30 pm. Please come if you need assistance or advice on DACA, Naturalization, or if you have General Immigration questions. Attorneys (me included) will be in attendance to assist you.
A very Happy Thanksgiving to all my clients. I am so thankful for the trust and confidence you place in me and my firm. We would not exist without you!
“Cannot swords be turned to plowshares? Can we and all nations not live in peace? In our obsession with antagonisms of the moment, we often forget how much unites all the members of humanity. Perhaps we need some outside, universal threat to make us recognize this common bond. I occasionally think how quickly our differences world-wide would vanish if we were facing an alien threat from outside this world. And yet, I ask you, is not an alien force already among us? What could be more alien than war?”
President Ronald Regan
Until swords turn to plowshares we thank our Veterans, remember their sacrifice and service, and pray that they get the respect and care they so richly deserve when they return home.
A trick to keep undocumented immigrants from avoiding deportation.
Students beware! As of August 9 if you fall out of status, or have been out of status, you begin accruing unlawful presence. 180 days of it and you are subject to the 3 year bar on re-entry. 1 year of it and it’s a 10 year bar. Take legal advice to make sure you are not at risk. This is a complete about face and changes decades old law and regulation.
Be warned! New immigration policy threatens a wide range of people with deportation proceedings. According to a June 28 policy, if you apply for an extension or change of status but fall out of status by the time a decision is made, the USCIS policy is to start deportation proceedings if your application is denied. Another anti-immigrant policy with no merit other than to be anti-immigrant.
The USCIS can take close to a year or even more to reach a decision on an application. Applicants who were legal at the time they filed will have fallen out of status by the time a decision is made. Denials are happening for the most technical and many times unjustifiable reasons. Those people will now be put into deportation proceedings.
Thousands marched in Los Angeles today protesting child separation and zero tolerance. It was heartening to know how many Americans care.
"The unfortunate reality is that under the present system migrant children are not accounted for with the same efficiency and accuracy as property. Certainly, that cannot satisfy the requirements of due process."
A federal judge in California late Tuesday ordered a halt to most family separations at the US border and the reunification of all families that have been separated in the first major rebuke to the Trump administration during ongoing furor over family separations at the border.
127 N Madison Ave, Ste 211
Pasadena, CA
91101
My law firm handles a variety of immigration cases, including business, family, employment, religious workers, green cards, nonimmigrant visas, asylum and removal.
| Monday | 09:00 - 18:00 |
| Tuesday | 09:00 - 18:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:00 - 18:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00 - 18:00 |
| Friday | 09:00 - 18:00 |
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