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How long does it take to get a fiancé(e) visa?

I’ve done a lot of fiancé(e) visas over the years, helping reunite happy couples. A fiancé(e) visa is for a fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen who is planning to get married within 90 days of entering the U.S. With some exceptions, the couple needs to meet in person within 2 years prior to filing the petition.

So, how long does the process take? The first step is for a U.S. citizen to file a petition with the USCIS. The average processing time is now between 5 and 7 months. I had petitions approved as fast as in 6 weeks. Then, once the USCIS approves the petition, it sends the case to the National Visa Center and from the National Visa Center it is sent to the Embassy or Consulate for an interview. The time to schedule an interview depends on the Embassy or Consulate, usually within a few months. Of course, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some US Embassies and Consulates are still closed and many are facing a backlog of cases from the time the US Embassies and Consulates were closed due to COVID-19.

Please note that this article does not constitute a legal advice.  We simplified the law in order to outline the fiancé(e) (K-1) visa process.  If you would like to discuss if you may qualify for fiancé(e) (K-1) visa, call our experienced
fiancé(e) (K-1) visa attorney at 480-425-2009 or schedule your consultation online. We look forward to discussing how we can help you obtain K-1 visa for your fiancé(e).

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Supreme Court Rules Asylum Seekers Cannot Seek Federal Court Review of Expedited Removal Orders

A citizen of Sri Lanka attempted to enter the US illegally. He was apprehended just 25 yards from the border, and put in an expedited removal process. He did not show “credible fear” of persecution to avoid expedited removal. He invoked the writ of habeas corpus to obtain additional review of his asylum claim and ultimately to obtain authorization to stay in the US. Habeas has traditionally been a means to secure release from unlawful detention.

The US Supreme Court ruled that neither the Suspension Clause nor the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment requires any further review of his claims, and IIRIRA’s limitations on habeas review are constitutional as applied.

Please note that this article does not constitute a legal advice.  We simplified the law in order to outline the latest US Supreme Court decision and its application to review or expedited removal orders.  If you would like to discuss if you may qualify for asylum, call our experienced immigration attorney at 480-425-2009 or contact an experienced immigration attorney via our website to schedule a consultation.

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Unemployment benefits for (non)immigrants

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we are receiving questions from our immigration clients regarding whether or not they are eligible to seek unemployment insurance benefits in the event of a layoff, reduction in force or termination.

Are you eligible for unemployment insurance? It depends. Each state has different unemployment insurance eligibility requirements. In Arizona, for example, individuals filing a claim for unemployment insurance benefits must indicate that they are able to work, available for work, and actively seeking work. In order to be “available for work,” you “must be ready and willing to accept full-time work when offered without restrictions.” Consequently, it depends on your immigration status and applicable case law to determine if you are considered “available for work” when you are unemployed.

Thus, if you are only authorized to work in the U.S. for a single employer (e.g., holding H-1B or L-1 status) and lose your job, you generally would not qualify because you are not considered “able and available to work” when you are unemployed.

On the other hand, if you have an employment authorization document (e.g., adjustment of status applicants, spouses of E or L status holders,
certain H-4 spouses of H-1B workers, DACA recipients, refugee or asylee), you would generally be “available for work” for another employer. The same applies to lawful permanent residents. Undocumented workers are not “available for work” because they are not legally authorized to work in the U.S.

Please note at that this is only an overview of the unemployment benefits for immigrants and non-immigrants and is not intended as legal advice. IF you were laid off and would like to consult an experienced immigration attorney, calls us at 480-425-2009 or contact us via our website and we will help you determine the best options in your situation.