Leiva Law Firm- San Francisco, 350 Townsend Street, San Francisco, CA (2026)

06/05/2026

⚖️ BIG WIN: Federal Judge Blocks the Freeze on Legal Immigration Benefits for 39-Country Nationals ⚖️

On June 5, 2026, Chief Judge John McConnell of the U.S. District Court in Rhode Island BLOCKED the policies that had frozen legal immigration benefits for people from the 39 countries on the "travel ban" list.

📋 BACKGROUND:
Since late 2025, USCIS had paused decisions on many immigration applications filed by nationals of the listed countries — affecting green cards, work permits, U.S. citizenship, asylum, and other benefits. Many applicants had already paid their fees, completed biometrics, and attended their interviews, only to have their cases frozen.

✅ WHAT THE COURT FOUND:
• The policies were "arbitrary and capricious" and contrary to federal law
• USCIS claimed authority it did not have and failed to give a reasoned explanation
• The freeze ignored the real harm to families who had followed every rule

🟢 WHAT WAS BLOCKED:
The court blocked the policy that had halted all legal immigration applications from citizens of the 39 travel-ban countries — meaning green cards, work permits, citizenship, and asylum decisions should be able to move forward again.

⚠️ IMPORTANT CAUTIONS:
• The government is expected to appeal, and the situation can still change
• Court orders can be paused (stayed) while an appeal is decided
• Please do not make travel or filing decisions based on headlines alone

📞 IF YOUR CASE HAS BEEN FROZEN:
If your green card, work permit, citizenship, or asylum case has been on hold since late 2025, please contact our office. We will review your specific situation and explain your options.

We are monitoring this closely and will share updates as they develop.

—
Leiva Law Firm
📞 415-541-9290
📧 [email protected]
🌐 Your Immigration Story, Our Passion.

06/05/2026

⚖️ Important Update for Our Adjustment of Status (Green Card) Clients ⚖️

We want to keep our community informed. USCIS recently issued a policy memo (PM-602-0199) describing Adjustment of Status — green card applications filed from inside the United States — as a discretionary benefit. In plain terms, immigration officers may look more closely at the full picture of each case before deciding, rather than approving based on eligibility alone.

📋 WHAT THIS MEANS RIGHT NOW:
• Adjustment of status is still available under the law, and USCIS must keep processing applications.
• This does NOT automatically mean cases will be denied.
• Officers may place more weight on discretionary, or "positive," factors in certain cases.
• Some applicants may receive Requests for Evidence (RFEs) asking for proof of those positive factors — family ties in the U.S., length of residence, work history, tax compliance, financial stability, hardship, rehabilitation, and community involvement.
• Cases involving prior immigration violations, unlawful presence, unauthorized work, criminal history, or misrepresentation may receive extra scrutiny.
• Even before this memo, adjustment of status always involved some level of discretion. This update simply puts more emphasis on that review.

🤝 WHAT WE WANT YOU TO KNOW:
There are still many open questions about how broadly USCIS will apply this — including whether parts of it may be challenged in court. Nothing has changed about what your specific case needs today.

We simply encourage you to start gathering your supporting documents now — proof of family relationships, your time in the U.S., employment and tax records, and letters of support — just in case they are needed later. Having them ready means we can respond quickly and build the strongest possible case for you.

Our office is monitoring this situation closely and will reach out directly if anything affects your case. Please do not panic — we are here to guide you every step of the way. 💚

📖 For a calm, clear breakdown of exactly what this memo says, read attorney Scarlett Leiva's full article on our blog:
https://leivafirm.com/uscis-adjustment-of-status-discretion-memo-explained/

📞 (415) 541-9290
📧 [email protected]
🌐 Your Immigration Story, Our Passion.

01/15/2026

🚨 BREAKING NEWS: U.S. State Department Suspends Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries 🚨

Today, January 14, 2026, the U.S. State Department announced it will indefinitely pause immigrant visa processing for nationals from 75 countries, effective January 21, 2026. This action is based on "public charge" provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

📋 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

✅ WHO IS AFFECTED:
• People applying for immigrant visas (green cards)
• Family-based and employment-based visa applicants
• Pending cases at U.S. consulates abroad

❌ WHO IS NOT AFFECTED:
• Tourist, student, and business visa applicants
• People who already hold valid U.S. visas as of January 21
• Non-immigrant visa categories

🌍 AFFECTED COUNTRIES (75 total) include:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Colombia, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Yemen, and more.

⚠️ PUBLIC CHARGE CONSIDERATIONS now include:
• Health conditions and potential long-term medical needs
• English language proficiency
• Financial resources and employment
• Past use of government assistance programs

📞 IF YOU ARE AFFECTED:
If you or your family members are from one of the affected countries and have a pending immigrant visa case, please contact our office immediately to discuss your options and next steps.

We are closely monitoring this situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

—
Leiva Law Firm
📞 (415) 541-9290
📧 [email protected]
🌐 Your Immigration Story, Our Passion.

01/15/2026

🚨 BREAKING NEWS: U.S. State Department Suspends Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries 🚨

Today, January 14, 2026, the U.S. State Department announced it will indefinitely pause immigrant visa processing for nationals from 75 countries, effective January 21, 2026. This action is based on "public charge" provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

📋 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

✅ WHO IS AFFECTED:
• People applying for immigrant visas (green cards)
• Family-based and employment-based visa applicants
• Pending cases at U.S. consulates abroad

❌ WHO IS NOT AFFECTED:
• Tourist, student, and business visa applicants
• People who already hold valid U.S. visas as of January 21
• Non-immigrant visa categories

🌍 AFFECTED COUNTRIES (75 total) include:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Colombia, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Yemen, and more.

⚠️ PUBLIC CHARGE CONSIDERATIONS now include:
• Health conditions and potential long-term medical needs
• English language proficiency
• Financial resources and employment
• Past use of government assistance programs

📞 IF YOU ARE AFFECTED:
If you or your family members are from one of the affected countries and have a pending immigrant visa case, please contact our office immediately to discuss your options and next steps.

We are closely monitoring this situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

—
Leiva Law Firm
📞 (415) 541-9290
📧 [email protected]
🌐 Your Immigration Story, Our Passion.

Address

350 Townsend Street
San Francisco, CA
94107

Telephone

+14155419290

Website

http://leivafirm.com/

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