News, updates, relevant information for immigration questions and help
- Non-Cash Benefits Are No Longer a Bar to Visas Under New RulesImmigrants who require government support when they move to the United States have faced barriers under the public charge rule for more than a century. Life became even more difficult in 2019 when non-cash programs like food stamps were thrown into the mix. Fortunately, the Department of Homeland […]
- Citizenship Day 2021Ready to naturalize? Reserve your spot at our FREE Citizenship Day virtual event! Gardner & Mendoza, along with AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association) are hosting the 15th Annual Citizenship Day event February 20, 2021, where we will help you complete your N-400 application FOR FREE! Please visit Eventbrite or call us today to make your reservation […]
- USCIS Fees Increase Oct. 2 – File Now To Save Hundreds of Dollars!File Your I-751, Marriage Adjustment or N-400 Now! Do you need to file with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before their filing fees increase? There’s still time for us to help if you do. For commonly filed applications like removal of conditions, marriage adjustment and U.S. Citizenship, USCIS filing fees are […]
- This Immigration Update Will Save You Thousands of DollarsUSCIS filing fees to increase October 2, 2020 Big news this week in immigration: USCIS filing fees are set to go up in October, and USCIS is not requiring Form I-944 with Form I-485 for any period during which there is a declared national health emergency in response to the […]
- Immigration Updates During CoronavirusStudent visa chaos! On July 6th, ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) said all F-1 visa holders must go home or transfer if their course of study is 100% online. Just 8 days and a lawsuit later, Trump rescinded this policy on July 14. There is a big sigh […]
- Need a Virginia Driver’s License? We Can Help!Virginia has a new law that may allow you to get a VA driving license even if you are undocumented!There are certain qualifications to be met. Proof that you’ve filed taxes in Virginia Valid proof of insurance If you need help with research for proof of either of […]
- Immigration, Court and Legislative Updates in the Time of Coronavirus – the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly – Week of July 6, 2020.What do USCIS furloughs have to do with you? More than half of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) employees or approximately 13,400 people will be furloughed beginning August 3rd. The furlough will last anywhere from 30-90 days. This is terrible news for those who will be […]
- Change of Status From Visitor Visa to Green CardCan You Apply for a Green Card While on a Tourist Visa? The short answer is ‘it depends’. You can apply for a green card to become a lawful permanent resident in the U.S. while you’re visiting on a tourist visa if you meet certain specific requirements, discussed in […]
- A Quick Reference Guide to Trump’s Executive Order Banning Immigration For 60 Days
- K-1 Visa to I-751 Request to Remove Conditions on ResidencyIf you came to the United States on a K-1 fiance visa, got married, and got your 2-year conditional green card, the I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residency is going to be an important part of your immigration journey. Here’s what you need to know about the […]
- K-1 Visa Processing Time, Cost and InformationThe K-1 visa is available to foreign-citizen fiancés of U.S. citizens. It allows a person to travel to the United States to marry his or her sponsor, provided that the marriage takes place within 90 days of the immigrant’s arrival in the country. K-1 visa processing times can […]
- Gardner & Mendoza Operational Status During COVID-19Due to the current outbreak of COVID-19, USCIS offices in the US are closed to the public. Therefore, interviews, biometrics, InfoPass, and other appointments are postponed. During this period, Gardner & Mendoza P.C. will remain open, accepting new clients and continuing to process requests from our current clients. […]
- DHS’s New Public Charge Rule: How it Changes Legal Immigration to the U.S.The Department of Homeland Security has enacted a new Public Charge Rule that could impact the way new immigrants are allowed into the United States. Several states fought the rule change in court, but eventually, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed the last injunction on it – and now […]
- Traffic Tickets and ImmigrationTraffic tickets can affect the outcome of your immigration case. When you get a ticket for a traffic violation, you need to include it on your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. Some tickets are more serious than others are, and some can even result in a denial of […]
- Norfolk VA Immigration: Common QuestionsRadlyn Mendoza is a USCIS Norfolk immigration office liaison, a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and a member of the Virginia State Bar. The Norfolk immigration office, located at 5678 East Virginia Beach Boulevard, is a USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) field office that […]
- One Good Reason You Need to Lawyer UpI’m not usually this bossy unless I’m talking to my kids and ok, maybe my husband…sometimes. But what my immigration law firm has been seeing in the last six months makes me want to sound the alarm. According to the Cato Institute, USCIS denials have increased by a […]