How Does Asylum Work in the U.S.?

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The number of asylum seekers in the U.S. has increased substantially since the new administration took office in D.C. The previous administration and COVID-19 protocols shifted a few long-standing asylum procedures, but we anticipate things gradually getting back to the status quo. This blog will serve as a general guide to those already in the […]

What to Know about the E-1 Visa

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A fairly common self-petitioning visa used by certain entrepreneurs and higher-level employees to live and work in the U.S. is the E-visa. E-visas are further broken down into E-1, E-2, and E-3 categories. The first preference, E-1, is reserved for nationals of countries with which the U.S. has a commerce treaty or other agreement that […]

EB-1C Visa: Requirements for Multinational Managers and Executives

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The visa EB-1C is one of the few employment-based green card categories that does not require a labor certification — a significant advantage for both the employer and the employee. It is designed specifically for multinational managers and executives who have already demonstrated leadership at that level abroad and are being transferred or hired into […]

Tamara Relis Featured as one of Top Best Immigration Lawyers In New York City

In firm news, I’m honored to share I was chosen as one of the Best Immigration Lawyers in New York City. The selection criteria are based on availability, accreditations, awards, reputation, experience, and professionalism. See our listing here!

Bringing Your Parents Over to the U.S.

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It’s natural to want to secure legal status for your parents. The good news is that, as long as you are a U.S. citizen, you have a way to do this through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Unfortunately, there is not typically a way for lawful permanent residents (green card holders) to legally […]

Explaining the E2 Visa

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The first step for non-citizens’ staying in the U.S. for a substantial length of time (legally) is, generally, to obtain a visa. A nonimmigrant visa guarantees a temporary stay, while an immigrant visa is typically required for permanent residence. For many entrepreneurs and small business owners, the E-2 Visa is a great option. Even though […]

Form I-130: Bringing Your Adult Children to the U.S. as a Green Card Holder

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Having your family members across the globe as you sit in the U.S. is, understandably, difficult. You might have heard of the K1 visa, which allows foreign aliens to move to the U.S. in exchange for marrying a U.S. citizen within 90 days of their arrival. This has been popularized through 90 Day Fiancé and […]

What is Defensive Asylum?

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Asylum is the one of the most well-known protections for U.S. non citizens to legally stay in the country. At its core, asylum allows those who have been persecuted (or fear persecution) due to their nationality, race, religion, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. The concept has its roots in Medieval England. […]

Overview of U Visas

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When the phrase “tough on crime” was in vogue some decades ago, Congress passed a law (the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000) that aimed to help law enforcement officials investigate crime while providing protections for victims of crime. One important tool for non-citizens the law created is the U visa, which […]

VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) Self-Petitions

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Domestic violence victims who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents have two options available to them if they wish to stay in the country: U visas or VAWA self-petitions. This blog will focus on the process by which a non-citizen can apply for a green card through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). […]

L-1 Visas Explained

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Among the options for those who are not citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. to come to the country for work-related purposes is the L-1 visa. This non-immigrant visa is also known as the “Intracompany Transferee” visa and is specifically geared toward employees of international companies that have a presence in the U.S. Because […]

Employment-Based (EB-2) Visa and National Interest Waiver (NIW)

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One of the several visa classifications for foreign residents with exceptional ability or advanced degrees is the EB-2 Visa. This visa is employment-based and offers permanent residency for successful applicants. There is, however, a cap on this type of visa, making the selection process extremely competitive. Nonetheless, it is a viable solution for many employers […]