Jakab Law Firm, 1629 K Street Suite 300 NW, Washington D.C., DC (2026)

09/21/2026

RECEIVING U.S. PUBLIC BENEFITS MAY NOW AFFECT YOUR GREEN CARD APPLICATION

Effective September 18, 2026, USCIS significantly expanded how it applies the existing “public charge” rule to Form I-485 green card applications filed inside the United States—including marriage-based cases.
Public charge is not a new ground of inadmissibility. It has long existed under INA §212(a)(4). What changed is the much broader range of benefits USCIS officers may now consider and their increased discretion when deciding whether an applicant is likely to become a public charge.
Potentially problematic benefits now include:
• Medicaid and other income-based healthcare programs
• SNAP and WIC
• SSI, TANF and other cash assistance
• CHIP, when received by the applicant
• Section 8 and other housing assistance
• Head Start and certain childcare programs
• Certain premium subsidies and income-based tax credits
• Other federal, state or local benefits based on income, assets or financial need
There is no difference simply because a benefit is state-funded instead of federally funded. If the government funds the program and eligibility depends on income or financial need, USCIS may consider it.
Receiving a benefit does not automatically result in denial. USCIS must review the totality of the applicant’s circumstances, including employment, income, assets, health, education, family situation and the Form I-864 Affidavit of Support.
Benefits received by a U.S.-citizen child, including CHIP or Medicaid, are generally not treated as benefits received by the immigrant parent. However, USCIS may still consider the household’s financial circumstances and the income level that qualified the child for assistance.
A new Form I-485 is also mandatory. Applications postmarked or electronically submitted on or after September 18, 2026, must use the 09/18/26 edition. Using an outdated form may result in rejection.
If you are applying for a marriage-based green card—or planning to apply for any income-based public benefit—obtain legal advice before filing or changing your benefits. Do not cancel necessary benefits for a U.S.-citizen child without first reviewing your individual circumstances.
Jakab Law Firm can evaluate your benefits, household income, sponsorship documents and immigration history before your application is submitted.
Schedule your consultation today.
Jakab Law Firm PLLC
📞 (202) 972-0270
🌐 jkblawfirm.com
✉️ [email protected]
Nationwide online representation | English and Hungarian
This post provides general information and is not individual legal advice.

07/02/2026

⚖️ Super-Fast Marriage-Based Green Card Approval Following the New USCIS Memorandum!
More great news!
We filed my clients' marriage-based green card application in March 2026. Their USCIS interview took place in Baltimore on July 1, and they received their approval the very next day—July 2!
Although we were fully prepared to answer questions about why they chose Adjustment of Status instead of consular processing, that question was not asked at all during the interview.
This case is yet another reminder that the law has not changed. Adjustment of Status within the United States is still available when the legal requirements are met. Every case is unique, and the right strategy should always be based on the specific facts and circumstances.
Congratulations to my clients on their new green card! 🇺🇸

06/05/2026

🇭🇺 NEW SERVICES AT JAKAB LAW FIRM! 🇪🇺
Dreaming of obtaining Hungarian citizenship and an EU passport?
Jakab Law Firm is now offering assistance with:
✅ Hungarian Naturalization (Citizenship Applications)
✅ Hungarian Consular Services
✅ Passport Applications & Renewals
✅ Vital Records Requests
✅ Citizenship Verification
✅ Consular Appointments and Documentation Assistance
Whether you are reclaiming your Hungarian heritage or need help navigating Hungarian consular matters, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
🇭🇺 Start your journey toward Hungarian citizenship and an EU passport today!
📞 Contact Jakab Law Firm for a consultation.

05/23/2026

Ma a USCIS egy új policy memorandumot adott ki, amely az Adjustment of Status (AOS) – vagyis az Egyesült Államokon belüli zöldkártya folyamat – kapcsán hangsúlyozza, hogy ez továbbra is egy “diszkrecionális”, kivételes lehetőség, és nem automatikus jog.
Mit jelent ez a házassági zöldkártya ügyekre nézve?
A USCIS várhatóan sokkal szigorúbban fogja vizsgálni:
az ESTA vagy turista vízumos belépéseket,
a bevándorlási szándékot a belépéskor,
a túltartózkodást,
illetve azt, hogy valaki miért nem a konzulátusi folyamatot választotta.
Ez NEM azt jelenti, hogy házasság alapján már nem lehet zöldkártyát kapni az USA-ban!
A törvény továbbra is lehetővé teszi sok amerikai állampolgár házastársának az Adjustment of Status folyamatot, különösen ha:
legális belépés történt,
valódi a házasság,
nincs csalás vagy súlyos bevándorlási probléma,
és az ügy megfelelően van előkészítve.
Viszont az biztosan látszik, hogy a USCIS a jövőben még részletesebben fogja vizsgálni ezeket az ügyeket, különösen ESTA belépések esetén.
A Jakab Law kifejezetten specializálódott az ESTA belépésből induló házassági és asylum alapú ügyekre, valamint az USCIS és EOIR közötti összetett joghatósági kérdésekre.

05/21/2026

Entered the U.S. on ESTA and wondering if you can get a Green Card?

This is one of the most common questions I receive.
I specialize in representing Hungarian nationals who entered the United States on ESTA and helping them understand their immigration options.

What you CANNOT do on ESTA:
• You cannot legally work in the United States on ESTA.
• You cannot enter on ESTA with the intention of remaining permanently and working in the U.S.
• A U.S. company generally cannot simply “sponsor” and legalize someone after an ESTA entry.

What ESTA is for:
• Tourism
• Visiting family
• Short-term travel for up to 90 days

Important:
If someone overstays ESTA and later leaves the U.S., they may face a 3-year or even 10-year bar from returning.

Very limited Green Card options may exist after ESTA entry, including:
• Marriage to a U.S. citizen
• Asylum — ESTA asylum cases are handled exclusively in Immigration Court (EOIR) through Removal Proceedings
• U-Visa for victims of crimes
• T-Visa for victims of human trafficking or forced labor

Every ESTA case is different. One wrong step can create serious immigration consequences.
📞 Consultation: 703-789-3714
www.Jkblawfirm.com
[email protected]

04/22/2026

💍 USCIS Marriage-Based Green Card Interview – What You Need to Know (REAL STORY INSIDE!) 🇺🇸
If you are applying for a marriage-based green card, one of the most important steps is the USCIS interview. This is where the officer determines whether your marriage is genuine (“bona fide”).
👉 In most cases, couples are interviewed together.
However… sometimes things don’t go as expected.
📍 REAL EXPERIENCE – Hartford, CT USCIS Field Office
Recently, at the USCIS Hartford Field Office, something unusual happened:
➡️ ALL marriage-based applicants were separated
➡️ No specific reason was given
➡️ Couples were interviewed individually
This type of interview is often referred to as a “Stokes-style interview” (more intense review).
👉 Typically:
The U.S. citizen spouse goes in first
Then the foreign national spouse follows
Officers ask the SAME questions separately and compare answers
❓ What kind of questions do they ask?
They can be surprisingly detailed and personal. For example:
“Where and when did you meet?”
“Who proposed and how?”
“What did you eat for dinner last night?”
“What side of the bed do you sleep on?”
“Does your spouse have tattoos or scars? Where?”
Even small details about your home:
Color of your bedroom walls
Number of TVs in your house
Where you keep your clothes
👉 Yes… it can feel intense—but the goal is to verify consistency.
⚖️ Why having an attorney matters
Many people don’t realize this:
👉 Your attorney CAN attend the interview with you
👉 And importantly — can be present with EACH spouse, even during separate questioning
Your attorney:
Observes the process
Steps in if something is unfair or confusing
Helps clarify misunderstandings
Even if you:
✔️ Filed your case alone
✔️ Or worked with a different attorney before
➡️ You can always choose a new attorney just for the interview
As guidance materials emphasize, the attorney cannot answer for you—but they are there to protect your rights and ensure fairness
💡 Final Tips
Always tell the truth
Keep answers clear and consistent
Review your application together before the interview
Don’t guess if you don’t know—say so
📌 Bottom line:
USCIS interviews are not something to fear—but you must be prepared. Even straightforward cases can turn into separate interviews unexpectedly.
If you want to go in confident and protected, having the right preparation (and the right attorney) makes all the difference.
📞 Need help preparing for your interview or want representation?
Feel free to reach out — I’m happy to guide you through every step.

03/06/2026

🇺🇸 What can you do if USCIS has not made a decision on your case after 120 days?
Many clients ask me:

"My interview already happened, but months have passed and there is still no decision. What can I do?"

For Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) cases, there is no law requiring USCIS to issue a decision within 120 days after the interview.

However, case law and legal practice suggest that when a case remains pending for an extended period of time — often 120 days or more after the interview — applicants may have several options to help move the case forward or request assistance.

Here are three common options:

1️⃣ USCIS Case Inquiry
You can submit an official service request to USCIS asking about the status of your case.
This request asks USCIS to review the file and explain why the case is still pending.
In some situations, this can help bring attention to the case and move it forward.

2️⃣ Congressional Assistance
U.S. Congressional representatives or Senators can assist constituents when a federal agency case is delayed.
Their office can contact USCIS directly and request an update on your case.
While they cannot force approval, their inquiry can sometimes help obtain a faster response.

3️⃣ Mandamus Lawsuit (Federal Court)
If a case has been delayed for an unreasonable amount of time, it may be possible to file a Mandamus action in federal court.
A Mandamus lawsuit asks a judge to order the government to make a decision on the case.

Important:
A Mandamus lawsuit does not ask the court to approve the case, only to require USCIS to finally make a decision.

⚖️ Every case is different, so it is important to evaluate the specific facts before taking action.
If your immigration case has been pending for a long time and you would like to discuss your options, feel free to contact my office.

📩 Jakab Law Firm PLLC www.jkblawfirm.com

Call or Text : 703-789-3714

Immigration representation across the United States 🇺🇸

01/21/2026

Important Immigration Warning – Marriage to a U.S. Citizen Does NOT Forgive All Immigration Violations 🇺🇸

I recently received a phone call from a Hungarian woman who was called back for a second USCIS interview based on marriage to a U.S. citizen.

Very quickly, it became clear why.
👉 Form I-485 – a critical question:
“Have you ever worked illegally in the United States?”

📌 Here is the key legal distinction many people misunderstand:

✔️ Unauthorized employment – MAY be forgiven if:
– at the time of entry, the person did NOT intend to work illegally, and
– the intent changed later, or the person became financially forced to work.

When married to a U.S. citizen, unauthorized work that occurred after entry can be forgiven in an Adjustment of Status (green card) application filed inside the U.S.

❌ Misrepresentation – NOT forgiven if:
– the person entered the United States with the intent to work illegally.
💡 Common example:
If someone entered the U.S. on ESTA, with the help of a so-called “job recruiter,” and in reality came to work, this may be considered willful misrepresentation.

➡️ This can lead to a green card denial, even if the applicant is married to a U.S. citizen.

⚖️ A principle from Roman law that still applies today:
Ignorantia legis non excusat — ignorance of the law is not a defense.

⚠️ The takeaway:
The most important question is not whether you worked, but
👉 what your intent was at the time you entered the United States.
📞 If you entered on ESTA or as a tourist and are planning to file Form I-485, get legal advice before filing. One incorrect answer can delay—or permanently damage—your case.
👉 Please share. This affects many people, and too often they learn about it only at the second interview.

01/05/2026

✨ Looking Back at 2025 – Moving Forward into 2026 ✨
As the year comes to an end, it’s worth pausing to reflect on what 2025 brought to U.S. immigration. It was a complex year — filled with challenges, but also with real and measurable progress.
What made 2025 difficult:
• A noticeably stricter enforcement climate, increased ICE activity, and higher numbers of deportations, creating fear and uncertainty for many families
• More intense scrutiny in citizenship (N-400) cases, with longer and more detailed interviews and less room for error
• Higher filing fees and stricter technical requirements, leaving fewer opportunities to correct mistakes
• The Diversity Visa (Green Card Lottery) program was stopped, closing an important pathway for many
• More asylum cases denied than ever before, with higher evidentiary standards and rising deportations
What improved in 2025:
• Marriage-based green cards moved at record speed compared to previous years
• New USCIS field offices opened and significantly more officers were hired, reducing processing times
• In well-prepared cases, entire green card processes were completed in under 3 months
• USCIS interviews became more organized and efficient for properly filed applications
• U.S. Embassy processing in Budapest was smooth and timely, with Hungarian cases moving efficiently
• 2025 clearly showed that preparation and legal strategy matter more than ever
The takeaway from 2025:
The system became stricter, but well-prepared, bona fide cases moved faster and more predictably.
As we move forward, I welcome 2026 with optimism — hoping for a calmer, safer, and more balanced immigration system, and for families finally finding stability after years of uncertainty.
Thank you to all my clients who trusted me with their future in 2025.
Here’s to a stronger, more positive, and safer 2026. 🇺🇸✨

12/12/2025

🇺🇸 Trump Gold Card Program – UPDATE (Now Open) 🇺🇸
📢 As of yesterday, the U.S. government announced that the Trump Gold Card immigration program is officially open, and information is now published on USCIS.gov.
💡 What is the Gold Card?
The Gold Card is a newly announced economically based immigration pathway that allows certain applicants to seek lawful permanent residence (a green card) by making a significant financial contribution (reported as $1,000,000) to the U.S. government, in addition to required government filing fees.
⚠️ Important legal clarification
This program is not written into the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) because only Congress can create new green card categories.
👉 For this reason, the administration introduced the Gold Card administratively, using an employment-based style petition (Form I-140G) — without requiring a job, employer, or work history.
❌ No job offer
❌ No employer sponsorship
❌ No labor certification
❌ No prior employment required
⚠️ This is NOT automatic
Paying money alone does not guarantee a green card. Applicants must still:
✅ Be admissible under U.S. immigration law
✅ Pass background and security checks
✅ File Form I-140G (Gold Card petition)
✅ Complete adjustment of status or consular processing
✅ Follow all USCIS procedures
📝 How the process works (high level):
1️⃣ Register through the government’s designated portal
2️⃣ Pay the required processing fee
3️⃣ File Form I-140G when eligible
4️⃣ Proceed with green card processing if approved
📌 Current status:
USCIS has published the program and form, but this is a brand-new and evolving process. Additional guidance, regulatory updates, or legal challenges may follow.
👤 Who may consider this option?
High-net-worth individuals who are otherwise admissible to the U.S. and are exploring economic-based permanent residence options.
❗ This program does NOT replace EB-1, EB-2, or EB-5, and it is not the right solution for everyone.
👉 Legal guidance is strongly recommended before filing or paying any fees.

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