Baton Rouge Legal Blog

When individuals in many countries are looking for immigration assistance relating to the United States, they can sometimes utilize field offices set up in those countries. These offices act as an extension of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services as part of their International Operations Division. Though these field offices can help with various aspects of U.S. immigration law, closures of several of these offices could soon take place.

Louisiana readers may be interested in a recent report regarding the possible closure of over 20 international field offices. Apparently, the current presidential administration hopes to make these closures as a cost-saving effort, but many have concerns that the closures would cause additional and unnecessary immigration-related delays. In particular, military citizenship applications, refugee processing and family reunification petitions could all face lengthened processing times.

Immigrants in Louisiana and across the country face many uncertainties. Even if they believe that they are safe and secure from immigration detention, deportation or other similar possibilities, they may be shocked to find themselves in such scenarios. As a result, they may need assistance to find the best ways to handle their ordeals.

It was recently reported that a 28-year-old woman found herself in such a serious predicament. According to reports, the woman from Peru with her family when she was 3 years old. She was living in the United States and working as a flight attendant under the privileges provided by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. However, the current presidential administration ended new enrollment for the program and no longer promised that those currently protected would gain legal reentry into the United States if they left.

Being an immigrant in Louisiana and other parts the United States can be a frightening experience at times, especially if a person did not enter the country through proper channels. As a result, if a person suffers as the result of a crime, he or she may feel worried about coming forward. Though U.S. immigration law allows crime victims to qualify for U-visas in special circumstances, their cases may face delays.

It was recently reported that there are concerns regarding U-visa cases due to rule changes regarding continuances of cases. Because a considerable backlog of immigration cases exists, the rules have reportedly changed in efforts to decrease that backlog. The report indicated that immigration judges must close 700 cases per year in order for their ratings to be satisfactory.

The United States immigration system is very complicated, and even those who work hard and play by the rules may find it difficult to gain legal admission to the country. For many people, applying for admission is a long and frustrating journey, only to be told that they are inadmissible.

If your visa application or application for some other immigration benefit gets denied, you may still have the opportunity to obtain the visa or benefit by using an I-601 waiver. The I-601 waiver is also called the Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility.