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.

Forgotten Dreamers and our Hidden Dreams

by Sumana Kaluvai, Lead Director & Co-Founder of the Hidden Dream When Mr. Shusterman first asked if I wanted to write this piece I was ecstatic. But I had no idea what to share with the readers of this newsletter. No idea where to begin. So by default, I guess I’ll start at the beginning […]

Read More

Employers: How to Prepare Yourself for an I-9 Audit

Our August 2018 newsletter contained the following news flash: ICE Dramatically Increases The Number of I-9 Audits. During this fiscal year, ICE has served more than 5,000 Notices of I-9 Inspections on employers across the country. They have also made almost 1,000 administrative worksite-related arrests. Fines for I-9 paperwork violations range from $200+ to $2,200+ […]

Read More

Before Applying for Immigration Benefits
Use the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Use The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is an extremely valuable tool. It allows an immigrant and his attorney to see what information the government has about him in its files. U.S. immigration laws are extremely complex. Formulating a successful immigration strategy can be compared to playing poker. Wouldn’t it greatly increase your odds of success if, […]

Read More

Let Avvo Help You Choose an Excellent Attorney

Avvo has emerged as a premier site for selecting an attorney. Avvo, short for “avvocato” (Italian for attorney), is gaining not only in popularity but in usefulness. Many immigration attorneys will tell you that by the time 30% of potential clients consult with them, some incompetent attorney or “consultant” has already screwed up their case, […]

Read More

Petition for a Writ of Mandamus

Consider filing a Petition for a Writ of Mandamus in Federal Court to force the government to decide your application for a visa, a green card or U.S. citizenship. I can’t tell you how many times immigrants have sought our help because their applications for visas,  green cards or naturalization have been pending for months […]

Read More

5 Tips to Make the Most of Your Immigration Consultation

Every year, hundreds of persons who need legal assistance schedule an immigration consultation (in-person, telephonic or Zoom) with one of our attorneys. Our online appointment system allows you to schedule an appointment with our immigration attorneys, choose a date and time for your consultation and decide whether you want to come to our office or […]

Read More

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. […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

Load More