Baton Rouge Legal Blog

When it comes to immigration, there are many legal hoops that often need addressing. Even if individuals want to become citizens, they will need to file the proper paperwork, provide the necessary information and pay the applicable fees for the process. Unfortunately, many people hoping to make immigration changes may be seeing more of a financial burden associated with the process.

Louisiana readers may be interested in a recent report regarding the increased costs of immigration-related applications. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that an 83% increase in the cost of citizenship applications would be put into effect. As a result, the cost will increase from $640 to $1,170. Citizenship applications are not the only ones affected as a 21% increase overall is anticipated for other immigration applications.

Most people enjoy having relatives nearby. They can keep up with family news, have gatherings and generally spend time together and have the comfort that comes from family. Of course, if a person moved to Louisiana or another part of the United States from another country, their family members may not be with them for some time. As a result, family immigration may be important to them.

When it comes to helping a family member come to the United States, a naturalized citizen will need to take the appropriate steps to begin the process. The first step to becoming a sponsor is filing the correct form with the right agency. In this case, the form would be Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. Once the form is approved by the government, the next steps can occur.

Many people do not have to worry about the possibility of being arrested when they go into work. Unfortunately, numerous immigrants in Louisiana and across the country may fear that raids on their places of employment could result in their being put in immigration detention. For many, these fears have comes true.

It was recently reported that a raid on a pallet supplier in another state resulted in over a dozen individuals being taken into custody by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Apparently, federal agents went to the business and took 14 people into ICE custody. It was unclear what may have prompted the raid on this particular business, but it was noted that many people in the community were left shaken by the event.

It can be difficult to make sure that paperwork for anything is filed correctly. Of course, paperwork is an important aspect of U.S. immigration law, and if individuals want to change their status, they need to make sure that they take the correct steps and provide the right information. Unfortunately, some immigrants may not turn to the right people for help and end up scammed.

Louisiana readers may be interested in a scam that affected numerous immigrants in another state. According to reports, a woman claimed that she was an immigration consultant and that she could help immigrants obtain citizenship, asylum or green cards. Of course, she also charged individuals a fee for her services. Unfortunately, the individuals who went to her for help only lost their money.