The New York Times reported earlier this week that Governor Patterson issued pardons last week to 24 lawful permanent residents (green card holders) with prior criminal convictions, to avoid deportation to their native countries. The Governor’s term and by extension, the pardon panel will end on December 31, 2010.  The panel received over 1,100 applications for executive clemency this year and the pressure to render decisions on [...]

Immigration reform had a high and a low in 2010.  For example, on December 9, 2010, the House of Representatives passed the DREAM Act that would allow certain undocumented immigrants that were brought to the U.S. as young children who met requirements such as receipt of a college degree or having completed a certain amount of military service, would be legalized.  However, [...]

From Pappas & Associates, P.A. to all of our readers across the world, we wish everyone a Merry Christmas. May the holiday season bring everyone peace, joy, and prosperity in the coming year.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released yesterday a revised form N-648 (Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions) for lawful permanent residents (green card holders) with certain disabilities who are seeking a waiver of the English language and U.S. history and government requirements for naturalization. The immigration laws concerning naturalization require that applicants are able to correctly answer questions about U.S. history and government plus, [...]

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminds Haitian nationals that the deadline to register for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is January 18, 2011. Haitian nationals that have lived in the United States on or before January 12, 2010 and, who meet other eligibility requirements, are the only ones that are eligible to submit an application for TPS and must do so [...]

The New York Times reported today that the House of Representatives passed the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2010 also known as the DREAM Act late last night by a vote of 216 to 198. This is great news for undocumented immigrant students that have been brought to the U.S. as children because [...]

The U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) reported today that as of the agency’s most recent count on November 26, 2010, 50,400 H-1B visas have been issued out of the Congressionally mandated quota of 65,000 visas. Additionally, the agency has already issued 18,400 out of the allotted 20,000 visas under the separate quota for applicants possessing a Masters degree or [...]

The New York Times reported yesterday that immigrant advocate groups across the United States have come together to call on members of Congress to pass a bill that would legalize undocumented illegal immigrant students.  This is an effort to have the legislation pass before Congress adjourns for the year and, while Democrats still have control in both chambers of Congress. [...]

From our firm to everyone throughout the world, we wish each and every one of you a Happy Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving Day is in essence a harvest festival observed primarily in Canada and the United States.  It is a time to give thanks for the harvest and giving thanks for what is most important to people in general.  While possibly religious in origin, Thanksgiving [...]

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reported today that the agency has implemented a standardized form for applicants to submit with certain applications to request a waiver of the filing fees charged for processing of forms to grant or deny immigration benefits. USCIS Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver), is available for use beginning today.  Additionally, the USCIS’ increase in filing [...]