Carl Shusterman Immigration Lawyer Blog

U.S. Immigration Blog

US Immigration Blog by former INS Trial Attorney Carl Shusterman. How to get a temporary working visa, a green card and U.S. citizenship.

4 Tips for Finding the Best Immigration Lawyer for You

One of the most important choices immigrants make is hiring the best immigration lawyer to represent them before the USCIS or in Immigration Court. The same is true for employers. We all share the urge to get the best deal we can get, but often saving money and obtaining the best representation are polar opposites. […]

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Green Card Marriage Interview
Tips on How to Prepare

If you entered the United States with a visa (or ESTA) and got married after 90 days to a U.S. citizen, you are probably eligible to submit an application to adjust your status to lawful permanent resident without having to leave the U.S.  Approximately one year after you submit your application, you and your spouse […]

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Essential Steps to Avoid RFEs on H1B Petitions

Between January 1 and August 31 2017, USCIS issued 85,000 requests for evidence (RFEs) for H1B petitions. This was a 45% increase over the same period in 2016. We are now in H1B cap season and there are some important factors to take note of in preparing H1B petitions: Timing: H1B cap-subject petitions must be […]

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Green Card Marriage Questions
How to Prepare for Your Interview

The following green card marriage questions are commonly asked by USCIS examiners to determine whether your marriage is real, or if you just got married in order to get a green card. Although the vast majority of marriages between U.S. citizens and immigrants are bona fide, some are not. It is the job of the […]

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American Immigration Council (AIC)

The American Immigration Council (AIC) is a non-profit organization that seeks to create public awareness regarding the established and developing U.S. immigration laws and policies. Through various programs and activities, such as the Legal Action Center and the Immigration Policy Center, AIC has been able to advance the cause of justice for immigrants, as well […]

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US Citizenship Test

Persons who wish to become naturalized citizens of the United States must take and pass a US citizenship test.  The citizenship test consists of 10 questions about U.S. history and government. The applicant is required to answer at least 6 of these questions correctly. On November 13, 2020, the USCIS announced that persons who apply […]

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STEM OPT Program

On January 21, 2022, President Biden expanded the STEM OPT program to include persons with degrees in the following fields of study: Bioenergy; Forestry, General; Forest Resources Production and Management; Human Centered Technology Design; Cloud Computing; Anthrozoology; Climate Science; Earth Systems Science; Economics and Computer Science; Environmental Geosciences; Geobiology; Geography and Environmental Studies; Mathematical Economics; […]

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Naturalization – How to Become a US Citizen

Once you have a green card, how and when can you become a US citizen through naturalization? The process of becoming a citizen of the United States is becoming increasingly complex, lengthy and expensive. When Attorney Carl Shusterman worked for the INS as a Naturalization Attorney, the N-400 citizenship application was just 4 pages long […]

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Denaturalization Task Force
How Citizenship Can Be Revoked

The USCIS has established an office in Los Angeles to focus on denaturalization. It will refer potential cases to the US Department of Justice. The USCIS cannot assure compliance with the law because old paper-based records containing fingerprint information from the FBI and DHS can’t be searched electronically. All such records need to be digitized. […]

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