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.

11/28/2025

This Thanksgiving, we pause with grateful hearts. 🧡
For every family we’ve stood beside…
For every story trusted to us…
For every dream still waiting to be realized…

Thank you for allowing us to be part of your immigration journey.
Your resilience, your courage, and your hope inspire our work every single day.

To our clients still waiting for approvals —
We see you. We’re fighting for you. Your future matters.
You are not alone.

Wishing you and your loved ones a peaceful, warm, and safe Thanksgiving.
From our family to yours — Happy Thanksgiving. 🦃✨

—

📞 +1 (415) 541-9290
📩 [email protected]

📍 San Francisco & Walnut Creek, CA
🌐 Serving clients across the U.S.

Immigration Attorney — Family Petitions, Fiancé Visas, Marriage Green Cards, ROC 751, Citizenship, DACA, U-Visas, Waivers
Attorney advertising. Results may vary.

10/30/2025

🚨 BREAKING IMMIGRATION UPDATE 🚨
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a major policy change affecting thousands of immigrants who depend on work permits (EADs).

Starting October 30, 2025, automatic extensions for most Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) will come to an end.
This means applicants in many visa and immigration categories — including family-based cases, DACA renewals, and asylum seekers — could lose their ability to work if their renewal isn’t approved in time.

DHS says the move will allow for more frequent security screenings and fraud checks. But for many immigrants, this change could create serious gaps in work authorization and financial stability.

💡 What you can do:
File renewals early — at least 180 days before expiration, and consult an immigration attorney to make sure your case stays compliant.

At Leiva Law Firm, we stay on top of every immigration update to protect your right to live and work in the U.S.

📞 Call us today for guidance on your EAD renewal.
🌐 www.leivafirm.com
| ☎️ +1 415-541-9290 | ✉️ [email protected]

̇mmigrationnews

10/30/2025

🇯🇲 Our hearts are with Jamaica — today, tomorrow, and always. 💚💛🖤

To our Jamaican brothers and sisters, near and far — our thoughts and prayers are with you as Hurricane Melissa passes.
May you continue to stand strong through every storm and rise with hope, unity, and resilience.

No storm can shake your spirit. 🌧️
Your strength is an inspiration to us all.

💚 You are loved.
💛 You are resilient.
🖤 You are not alone.

— Leiva Law Firm
Standing with our Caribbean community. 🌍

📞 +1 (415) 541-9290
📧 [email protected]

📍 San Francisco & Walnut Creek, CA

10/01/2025

USCIS Fee Change Alert 🚨

Are you getting ready to file an immigration application?
A critical update could put your case at risk if you don’t prepare.

📅 Starting October 28, 2025, USCIS will no longer accept paper checks or money orders. Payments must be made electronically. While this change aims to make the process faster and more secure, it also increases the risk of rejection for even small errors.

⚠️ One wrong account number or an expired card could cause costly delays in your immigration journey.

At Leiva Law Firm, we stay ahead of these policy changes so you don’t have to. Our mission is to guide you through every update and protect your path to stability, family unity, and opportunity.

💬 Don’t let a payment error jeopardize your future. Contact us today for a confidential consultation.

📞 +1 (415) 541-9290
📧 [email protected]

🌐 www.leivafirm.com

[Disclaimer: Attorney advertising. Results may vary.]

08/13/2025

BREAKING NEWS – U.S. Visa Rule Change 🚨

The U.S. Department of State just announced new, stricter requirements for certain visa applicants.

Starting August 5, 2025:
🛂 Consular officers will consistently require assurances that you’ll:
✅ Maintain your legal status.
✅ Depart the U.S. on time.

This isn’t new law—but it’s now being enforced in a structured and predictable way. Failure to comply could impact future visa approvals.

📌 If you’re applying for a U.S. visa, be prepared before your interview.
Leiva Law Firm is here to guide you every step of the way.

📞 Call us today or send a message to get started.

08/09/2025

🚨 Overstayed your U.S. visa? Read this before you make a big mistake.
If you’ve stayed in the U.S. past your allowed time, that visa date printed in your passport means nothing for travel or re-entry.
It can only help prove you entered legally—and only if you later qualify to adjust your status.

📞 Have questions? Call Leiva Law Firm today for expert immigration guidance.

Leiva Law Firm- San Francisco

06/05/2026

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