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Pennsylvania Immigration Law Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: I am taking a blood/urine test for immigration soon, and I was wondering if nicotine would be a problem as a minor.
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 26, 2023

It's possible that the use of nicotine could be a problem for an immigration application, depending on the specific circumstances and requirements of your case.

In general, minors are not allowed to purchase or use tobacco products in the United States, and the use of nicotine or...
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2 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: I am taking a blood/urine test for immigration soon, and I was wondering if nicotine would be a problem as a minor.
Min Hwan Ahn
Min Hwan Ahn
answered on Feb 10, 2023

Typically, immigration medical exams include a blood test and a urine test to screen for certain medical conditions. The purpose of the tests is to ensure that applicants do not have any medical conditions that would make them inadmissible to the United States.

Nicotine is not a...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Immigration Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: International student charged with retail theft. How do I keep my immigration status safe?

Hi everyone, on 20th Nov 2022 me and my girlfriend were charged with a retail theft summary offence (CC3929) of amount $149 and criminal conspiracy (CC0903) in Philadelphia, PA. We were arrested, fingerprinted, photographed, and given a citation copy with a court date at the station. We hired a... View More

Cesar Mejia Duenas
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answered on Jan 6, 2023

Hi, you did not mention what the final disposition of the charges was. Dismissed? Adjourned in contemplation of dismissal? Pleaded guilty to a lesser charge? Without that information, we can only guess whether the arrest (and conviction if any) would affect your immigration status.

Your...
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2 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: So I spoke to someone and was told because we never seen each other in person we gave to have some kind of pictures,bank

Account to do the I-130 so now just wondering what Visa he needs to apply for,for temporary visa so we can get proof or is that info wrong since we are legally married.

Kevin L Dixler
Kevin L Dixler
answered on Dec 27, 2022

You’re speaking to the wrong people!

The difference between legally married (on paper) and entering into a marriage based upon a good faith relationship are significant. Someone who has yet to meet their spouse is likely to eventually be challenged prior to or during processing....
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2 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Will it be faster/easier for my girlfriend (who lives in Ecuador) to apply for a work visa or fiancé/marriage visa?

So my girlfriend recently had her interview at the U.S. Embassy down in Ecuador to get her tourist visa and was denied. She really wants to come here as do I because it becomes expensive flying down to her 2 times a year. We think we’re ready for marriage so should she try to apply for a... View More

Stephen Arnold Black
Stephen Arnold Black
answered on Dec 4, 2022

You should sponsor her for a fiancé visa. From start to finish the entire process takes about two years before she’s able to travel here on the K visa. Then within 90 days, she and you have to get married or else the visa will be revoked. You should retain counsel to handle the process from... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law and Employment Discrimination for Pennsylvania on
Q: looking to bring my fiance to PA from CapeTown Africa. He's a Nigerian and his Visa ran out. can it be done quick-how?

He is living in Cape Town, Africa. He is a Nigerian. He cannot get a job do to his etnicity. He needs to come here to USA to marry me and live here together. I do not know the procedure and what type of VISA he needs. Also what costs are involved? Trying to get him here because he has no money and... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 22, 2024

I understand you're eager to bring your fiancé to the U.S. so you can get married and live together. However, the immigration process takes time and has specific requirements that must be followed. Here's some general information that may help:

The most common visa for a foreign...
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1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: How can I get free represent soon for a detainee in immigration as fast as I can?

A master hearing is coming up real soon and we have no representation

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 3, 2023

You can contact organizations like the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC), RAICES, or similar entities to request expedited assistance given the upcoming master hearing. It's critical to act quickly due to the limited availability of free legal services, especially close to a hearing date.

1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Trying to find out what documents I need to help my husband in The Gambia to get to Easton pa
Caitlin  Costello
Caitlin Costello
answered on Dec 27, 2022

Hello! It is a long process with many steps, which begins with filing an I-130 petition with USCIS. You can find instructions online about what you need to file the petition, or you can reach out to an immigration attorney for help.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Immigration Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: My I-94 class of admission is DT, I came across the border. Am I eligible to file Form I-765?

My I-94 class of admission is DT, I came across the border. Am I eligible to file Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization? What is my Eligibility category? Should I seek employment authorization under category (c)(11)? How soon can I file Form I-765 since I crossed the border?

Caitlin  Costello
Caitlin Costello
answered on Nov 16, 2022

Generally, someone who is admitted as DT can file a form I-765 under (c)(11) as soon as they are admitted. However, if it is granted, it will only be valid for as long as the status is valid.

1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Immigration question!!! Please someone help!!!

If immigration process was canceled for my husband because we were getting divorced and have now decided to work things out, what should I do? I wrote a letter to have them cancel the process but never heard anything back (that was June 3 and now it’s august 29). Is there anything I can do to try... View More

Stephen Arnold Black
Stephen Arnold Black
answered on Aug 30, 2022

You should retain an immigration attorney who will file a G-28 Notice of Appearance in your case to represent you.

2 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: I came from Lithuania to the USA when I was nine years old in 2009. I have overstayed my Visa. Am I DACA eligible?
Samuil Buschkin
Samuil Buschkin
answered on Jul 29, 2022

As of July 28, 2020, and August 21, 2020, implementing the Supreme Court decision USCIS will not accept any applications from first-time applicants who have never had DACA before.

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2 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: I came to the US back in august of 2013 (age 15) w a B1/B2 visaand I stayed after my 6 months limit. an Eligible for DAC

Tourist visa from Brazil (allowed stay 6months max), am I able to apply for DACA?

Roland Godfrey Ottley
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answered on Jun 4, 2022

Let us say for argument sake that you do qualify for deferred action for childhood arrivals, I do believe that there is a ban on USCIS processing initial DACA applications. The Biden Administration is attempting to reverse that ban in an ongoing appeal. Therefore, if you are filing this... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: This is regarding US Immigration, am I allowed to go to another State(not petitioners) after getting my Green Card

This is regarding US Immigration, am I allowed to go to another State - California (not petitioners residence, Pennsylvania) after getting my Green Card…How can I get my Green Card posted to my temporary address in new state, what reason to give officer

Nadine C. Atkinson-Flowers
Nadine C. Atkinson-Flowers
answered on Apr 24, 2022

You can go anywhere after you get your green card. You do not need to give any reason about why you need your green card sent to another address. If you are going to be in another state for a long time it makes sense to have your green card sent there. If you are not going to be there long it makes... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Are ‘Tax Credits’ and ‘ Economic Impact Payments’ considered a ‘Means-Tested Public Benefits’ by USCIS?

Hello

I’m currently a Conditional Permanent Resident and when filing our joint tax return, my wife and I can claim certain Tax Credits such as ‘Earned Income Tax Credit, and ‘Child Tax Credit’ on our Federal Tax Return, as well as very similar Tax Credit on our state return based on... View More

Agnes Jury
Agnes Jury
answered on Mar 21, 2022

The benefits you listed are not "means tested benefits". See USCIS website for an explanation what is and is not:

https://www.uscis.gov/i-864p#:~:text=Federal%20means%2Dtested%20public%20benefits%20include%20food%20stamps%2C%20Medicaid%2C,Health%20Insurance%20Program%20(SCHIP).

Best wishes!

1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can a Ukrainian come here as a refugee?

I have a Ukrainian friend who is fleeing for her life and wants to come here. I am wondering what the options are for her and what the best course of action would be as she most likely could qualify as a refugee. She wants to come here immediately for the safety of her life and I am willing to take... View More

Stephen Arnold Black
Stephen Arnold Black
answered on Mar 10, 2022

She can process at any of the UN refugee camps in Poland or other countries that border Ukraine. In order to board a plane to the US, she needs a passport and a visa.

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Immigration Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: I am 20 years old and my parents are trying to block my polish passport, can they do that?

I am trying to make a trip and my parents will not let me, I am 20 years old and I issued my passport when I was still underage. Can they block my passport?

Alexander Ivakhnenko
Alexander Ivakhnenko
answered on Feb 22, 2022

No. After 18 you are legal adult and no one parent has any right to cancel your passport. If they persist call the police, as they have no right to conceal a legal US Passport from its holder for any reason, or go ahead and apply for a new one.

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1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Is my 17 year old eligible to fill out her fee waiver form and N-600 form by herself or a parent is required to do it?
Kevin L Dixler
Kevin L Dixler
answered on Jan 5, 2022

If she is over 14 years old, she can sign the N-600 form. The instructions for all forms including the fee waiver form are at https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-912instr.pdf

2 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: What form does my 17 year old needs to fill out to become a US citizen. Her mom and I recently became citizens (N600)?

I am 51 year-old male with 2 daughters and a spouse. My spouse, I and our older daughter (22) recently became Unites States citizen (N-600). My younger child still holds a green card. She is 17 years old (born in 2004). What form do we need to fill out next for her to become a US citizen.... View More

Kevin L Dixler
Kevin L Dixler
answered on Jan 5, 2022

A child may derive U.S. citizenship before her 18th Birthday, where her biological parent naturalizes. If she seems to have derived U.S. citizenship, she is required to file form N-600. If not, then she must file form N-400 after she turns 18 years old. She can try to file for a fee waiver, but... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: i have a CRBA application pending for my baby overseas. but i have a disability low vision. read below, please help me.

i have a CRBA application pending for my baby overseas. but i have a disability low vision.

because of which i have never worked nor attended school in US, nor paid any bill or rent my family is doing it for me but the counselor is only asking for 1 of the maintioned above to prove my 5... View More

Raymond  Lahoud
Raymond Lahoud
answered on Nov 25, 2021

More information is needed to better answer your question. As to evidence of you being in the country before you turned 14, that could include school records, tax filings by parents, affidavits, medical records and the like.

3 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: I am a US citizen & my stepdaughter is coming into the US for her master's education.

I am a US citizen & my stepdaughter is coming into the US for her master's education. Can I file for a change of status for her to a green card while she is in the US on a student visa?

Alexander Ivakhnenko
Alexander Ivakhnenko
answered on Oct 25, 2021

You need to discuss with the adopting agency whether you have legally adopted that child (what is the age of that foreign national?) in order to petition for that immediate family member.

Also, it seems by logic the immediate family member would reside with either a biological or adoptive...
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