Victims of certain crimes who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse while in the United States, and who are willing to assist law enforcement or other government officials in prosecuting the crime, are eligible to apply for "U Status." U Status permits victims to remain in the United States, and they are eligible to apply later for permanent residency and ultimately U.S. Citizenship. However, recent policy updates from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS") will make it harder for victims to come forward.
President moves to further restrict immigration
Tennessee residents likely know that those who cross the border may have the right to seek asylum or other legal status. If a child crosses the border into the United States without a guardian, that child generally has the right to make an asylum request to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services . President Trump is looking to put an end to the special status that unaccompanied minors currently have.
Proving "Good Moral Character" when applying for U.S. citizenship
One of the many things U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reviews when you apply for citizenship is what's termed "good moral character." Several things can bar you from showing good moral character, such as a criminal record, failure to pay taxes or child support, or admission of unlawful activity. While some convictions do not automatically bar you, some convictions bar you permanently and others for a period of 5 years. If you have a conviction barring you for 5 years, you must wait at least 5 years before applying, but even then immigration officers have discretion to review your entire past in determining whether you have good moral character.It is important therefore to have an attorney assist you in preparing supporting documents to show your good moral character. This can be things such as education degrees, employment licenses, letters of recommendation, and evidence of community involvement. An attorney will also be needed to draft a legal memorandum in support of your claim of good moral character. Immigration law is constantly changing and the experiences of other individuals may no longer be relevant to the current policies. If your application is denied, you must wait an additional 5 years before reapplying. If you have questions or plan on applying for U.S. citizenship call the attorneys at Saenz & Maniatis, PLLC at (615) 366-1211.
Could your social media affect your visa application?
Out of all the things that could cause the U.S. Department of State (USDS) to deny your visa, could Facebook be the biggest culprit? In June 2019, the State Department announced they would begin to request "most" US visa applicants' social media account information.
Policy impacting immigration rates
During the fiscal year 2017, there were 748,746 people granted permanent residence via family-sponsored immigration programs. Family migration is the most common way that people get green cards in Tennessee and across the country, but proposed changes might alter the focus of immigration policy, which has been based in employment and family reunification.
How marijuana use can affect citizenship applications
Immigrants in Tennessee who want to become U.S. citizens should avoid any contact with the pot industry, even if it involves going to states where it is legal. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued a policy alert on April 19 saying that purchasing or selling marijuana at shops that are state regulated can indicate a lack of "good moral character."
AG ruling could keep asylum-seekers in detention centers
Tennessee residents may be interested in learning about a new precedent that could impact thousands of asylum-seekers along the Southwest border of the United States. Attorney General William Barr would like asylum-seekers who start in expedited removal and then are transferred to full removal procedures to not be discharged on bond.
Judge issues injunction against policy on asylum-seekers
A federal judge has blocked implementation of the latest Trump administration order intended to block the flow of asylum-seekers from Central America. Many people in Tennessee and across the country have raised alarm about the policy, which aimed to force asylum-seekers to stay in or return to Mexico to await processing of their claims. The administration pursued this policy against people seeking asylum despite the fact that these migrants are generally fleeing violence or persecution in their home countries.
Highest court rules in favor of government
Tennessee residents are generally entitled to due process if they are charged with a crime. However, immigrants who have been released from custody may be detained without a bond hearing. This may be true even if the immigrant was detained months or years after being released from custody. That was the decision that the Supreme Court made in a 5-4 vote favoring the federal government.
Expanded version of DREAM Act introduced in U.S. House
On March 12, Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a new, beefed-up version of the DREAM Act. If passed, the new version of the bill would offer U.S. citizenship opportunities to a larger group of immigrants living in Tennessee and around the country than the original version did.
