Get free answers to your Immigration Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I hold an expired F-2 visa, but my program extends until December 2025, and I have a valid I-20. I plan to fly domestically from Los Angeles to Phoenix in June. I haven't had issues at airport security before with my expired visa. I'm staying in the US for an extended period and am in the... View More 
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answered on May 29, 2025
When you travel domestically, airport security focuses on valid photo identification rather than visa status. Your expired F-2 visa shouldn’t cause issues at the TSA checkpoint. You’ll need an acceptable form of ID, such as your passport or a state driver’s license.
Carry your valid... View More
I am from the Philippines and six years ago, I was a J1 student arrested in Utah, USA, charged with "Theft — Value exceeds $1,500 but less than $5,000." After a few hours, I was released due to overcrowding. I was advised to call after 5-7 working days; however, I didn't receive... View More
answered on May 27, 2025
In Utah, if a warrant was issued in your case and you never resolved the charge or appeared in court, that warrant likely remains active, even six years later. Arrest warrants for felony charges like the theft offense you mentioned do not expire on their own. Courts keep those on record until the... View More
My family immigrated to the U.S. 16 years ago, and we all became citizens after arriving. My parents held green cards when my sister was born here in America, and they became citizens afterward. My sister is now 11 and has a birth certificate showing she was born in the U.S. Do we need to file Form... View More
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answered on May 7, 2025
Your sister is automatically a U.S. citizen and does not need to file Form N-600 in her situation. The Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees that every child born "within the jurisdiction of the United States" is a U.S. citizen, regardless of their... View More
I have been a U.S. green card holder since 2008. My doctor mentioned that if I remained in the country for more than 15 years, I might automatically become a U.S. citizen without taking the citizenship test. Is there any validity to this claim, or are there other steps or requirements I should be... View More
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answered on May 7, 2025
No, there is no automatic U.S. citizenship after 15 years as a green card holder. The naturalization process requires eligible permanent residents to actively apply through Form N-400 with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and meet several specific requirements.
The... View More
I'm experiencing a delay with the UCIS administrative process, despite having made inquiries, and I'm considering filing a writ of mandamus in Utah. Where should I file this writ, and are there any specific requirements or procedures I need to follow in this state?
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answered on Mar 31, 2025
You should file your writ of mandamus with the United States District Court for the District of Utah. In Utah, the federal court has two divisions: the Northern Division located in Salt Lake City and the Central Division in St. George. Most immigration-related cases are filed in the Salt Lake City... View More
How important is it to have the dates of residency exactly correct when filling out form I-129F? I don't remember the exact dates of residency at each address and do not have any documents to verify them. I have not submitted the form yet and have not sought any advice regarding estimating or... View More
answered on Mar 26, 2025
You do the best that you can based upon your best recollection. Estimates where nothing else is available is wise. Use a calendar; sometimes, that can help. Some prefer to work with experienced counsel to suggest ways to get more precise information to answer some questions on the forms.... View More
I am a J-1 intern visa participant currently staying in Utah. I am seeking advice on whether it is legally allowed for me to partake in sports betting, given that my sponsor stated that a participant of the visa is not allowed to engage in any other activity for money.
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answered on Feb 21, 2025
While I understand your interest in sports betting, engaging in gambling activities while on a J-1 visa could potentially violate your visa conditions and Utah state laws. Your sponsor's statement about avoiding activities for money is crucial guidance that you should take seriously.... View More
There have been over 10 times of extramarital affairs on his end over the past 3 years, including finding a burner phone which I have pictures and messages of. He is currently in the process to gain citizenship and I’m interested in exploring options to cancel that opportunity.
answered on Jan 22, 2025
If he already has his 10 year permanent green card, then it would be very difficult if not impossible to have that revoked. Additionally , unless he has committed some type of criminal act or has been out of the country for an extended period of time, then his citizenship application will more than... View More
I am getting married to an American citizen and I am currently pregnant. I have my student visa and everything is legal.
answered on Dec 10, 2024
Yes, any immigration lawyer in any state can represent a client in any other state or in any other country on the planet. This is the nature of immigration law. If you entered the United States with permission, which it looks like you did, and you are getting married to a US citizen, then you can... View More
He was trying to make me deny that I was attacked , he said he was not going to fix the police report and he was not going to write any evidence that tells thatindicates that the defendant committed the act. He also obligate me to say that I wanted a new detective because he was going to close my... View More
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answered on Jun 27, 2024
Based on the situation you've described, it sounds like you may have a potential case involving police misconduct or civil rights violations. While personal injury lawyers sometimes handle these types of cases, you may want to consider consulting with an attorney who specializes in civil... View More
I applied on line for I90 renewal card. I got my 2 year extension emailed and also my Biometric letter but it say Biometric reuse that they can reuse my past biometric . is that something new ?
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answered on Apr 15, 2024
Yes, biometric reuse is a relatively new process implemented by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In certain cases, the USCIS may be able to reuse the biometric data (fingerprints and photographs) that were previously collected from you for an earlier application.
This... View More
I am renewing my green card not sure to put Czechoslovakia or Czech republic . My current card about to expire says Czech Republic when I renewed 10 years ago
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answered on Apr 8, 2024
Since Czechoslovakia no longer exists as a country, and your previous permanent resident card listed Czech Republic as your country of birth, it would be most appropriate to use "Czech Republic" on your renewal application.
When filling out official U.S. government forms,... View More
I am renewing my permanent resident card and My country of birth was Czechoslovakia but in 1993 changed to Czech Republic. so not sure what to put. My card about to expire says Czech republic . I'm getting mixed answers
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answered on Apr 8, 2024
Since Czechoslovakia no longer exists as a country, and your previous permanent resident card listed Czech Republic as your country of birth, it would be most appropriate to use "Czech Republic" on your renewal application.
When filling out official U.S. government forms,... View More
I filed the l-485 application form on May 2020.Now it’s March 2024. It has been almost four years since I am waiting for the approval.
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answered on Mar 20, 2024
If you receive approval for your I-485 application, this means you have been granted lawful permanent resident status in the United States. Once approved, there is no longer a "waiting time" in the context of the I-485 application itself; the approval marks the end of the process for... View More
I got my H1B approved by a consultancy this year and once my h1b approved, I started looking for C2C projects. My employer has not helped me to put into a job at all. I found out a new employer for myself and now they are asking for paystubs for visa transfer. I asked my employer for pay stubs and... View More
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answered on Nov 9, 2023
If your current employer is not providing pay stubs, which are typically required for an H1B visa transfer, you should first document your requests for these pay stubs. If the employer continues to withhold them, you may consider filing a complaint with the state labor department or the U.S.... View More
I recently got but it doesn’t show my last name, but everything is correct. Should that be an issue?
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answered on Aug 20, 2023
As long as you submit a birth certificate accompanied by a photo id, you should be able to prove your citizenship.
My friend is having trouble getting medicine for epilepsy because they say he's not a citizen but he's married and has filed w-2s before
answered on Nov 29, 2022
No, marriage to a U.S. citizen does not confer citizenship on the spouse. Your friend’s wife would have to immigrate him for him to obtain lawful permanent residency in the United States. Your friend should consult with an immigration attorney to find out if he is eligible to immigrate through... View More
answered on Nov 4, 2022
The mere fact of being married to a US citizen does NOT confer legal status to an immigrant. However, if the immigrant qualifies for adjustment of status they could acquire legal status by becoming a permanent resident and eventually a US citizen. Best to do a consultation with an experienced... View More
My husband is a permanent resident and I'm out of status. He is very verbally abusive. We were married for 3 weeks and I left after being suicidal and over dosing on sleeping pills. He always uses my immigration status to "get me in line". Threatens to divorce me and tells me that he... View More
answered on Mar 22, 2022
Yes you should retain counsel to process your VAWA case. Unrepresented parties are not taken very seriously by USCIS.
I am a non-US citizen. My partner is an American biological father. His daughter is 6. Can I adopt his daughter after marrying him?
answered on Sep 21, 2021
Great question. We have some answers. Give us a call 801-546-3874 and ask to speak with Attorney Jason Barnes.
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