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Domestic Air Travel and Immigration Enforcement: What Travelers Should Know
Over the past several weeks, our office has received an increasing number of questions from clients and community members about domestic travel within the United States, and many of them are asking the same thing: is it still safe to fly within the U.S.? It's an understandable concern. There have been recent reports of individuals being detained by immigration authorities at U.S. airports while traveling domestically, and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) ha
whklawfirm
1 day ago4 min read


TPS for El Salvador: Where Things Stand (August 2026)
Our office has been receiving many calls from Salvadoran families asking the same questions. Is TPS ending on September 9? Is my work permit still valid? I re registered last year and never heard back, is something wrong? Here is the short version: TPS is valid today and will most likely continue past September, your work permit is protected today, and if your application is still pending, nothing is wrong with your case. There is also one more thing worth knowing: if you hav
whklawfirm
4 days ago4 min read


Public Charge Rule Change: What You Need to Know (July 2026)
A new public charge rule takes effect September 18, 2026, expanding which benefits USCIS can consider in green card cases. Here is what changes, what does not change, and what to keep in mind.
whklawfirm
Jul 183 min read


SIJS Deferred Action Update (July 2026)
USCIS is issuing Amended Approval Notices denying deferred action to SIJS youth approved on or after June 6, 2025. Here is what the notices mean, the three dates that matter, and why the pending Second Circuit appeal offers hope.
whklawfirm
Jul 145 min read


Birthright Citizenship Is Here to Stay: The Supreme Court's 2026 Decision and What It Means for Your Family
Eighteen months ago, we published a blog post explaining a new executive order titled "Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship," which President Trump signed on his first day back in office in January 2025. That order sought to end automatic citizenship for many children born on U.S. soil โ specifically, children whose parents were undocumented or in the country on temporary visas. We told you then that the order would face immediate and serious legal challen
whklawfirm
Jul 13 min read


FIFA World Cup 2026 & U.S. Visas: What You Need to Know
With the FIFA World Cup 2026 coming to the United States, international fans and travelers are racing against time to secure their U.S. visas. To manage the immense demand and global backlogs, the U.S. Department of State, in coordination with FIFA, launched a voluntary fast-track scheduling tool known as the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (PASS). It is important to remember that FIFA PASS is not a visa category, does not grant immigration status, and does not gu
whklawfirm
Jun 43 min read


FAQ: USCISโs New Adjustment of Status Memo (PM-602-0199)
Since USCIS released its new Adjustment of Status policy memorandum last Friday, our office has received a very large number of questions regarding marriage-based green cards, pending I-485 applications, DACA, Advance Parole, and whether green cards inside the United States are still possible. At this stage, one of the most important things to be careful about is misinformation. There are already many exaggerated claims online suggesting that marriage green cards have been el
whklawfirm
May 265 min read


(BREAKING) USCIS Releases New AOS Memo: What Applicants Should Know
Today, USCIS released a new policy memorandum emphasizing that Adjustment of Status (AOS) is a discretionary form of relief and an โextraordinaryโ benefit that allows applicants to avoid the ordinary immigrant visa process through a U.S. consulate abroad. Since the announcement, we have already received many questions and concerns from clients and community members, so we wanted to provide an initial overview and practical analysis of what this policy memo may mean moving for
whklawfirm
May 222 min read


USCIS Policy Change on SIJS Deferred Action: Key Deadlines and Strategic Considerations (April 2026 Update)
On April 10th, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a new policy memorandum (PM-602-0198) ending the automatic consideration of deferred action for individuals granted Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). This policy, taking effect on May 10th, represents a significant shift in how SIJS beneficiaries obtain work authorization while waiting for visa availability. What is Changing? Since 2022, USCIS automatically considered granting deferred action
whklawfirm
Apr 172 min read


Breaking News: DHS Eliminates R-1 One-Year Abroad Requirement
On January 14, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an interim final rule that fundamentally changes the residency requirements for R-1 nonimmigrant religious workers. This update removes the long-standing obligation for workers to reside outside the United States for a full year after reaching their maximum period of stay. What has changed? The most significant shift is the removal of the mandatory "one-year gap" between R-1 periods. No Minimum Wa
whklawfirm
Jan 161 min read


SIJS Deferred Action: Current Status and What Families Can Expect
Many families have recently reached out with questions about deferred action and work permits for youth who have been approved for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). This update reflects the situation as of November 20, 2025. In June 2025, USCIS ended its long-standing policy of granting SIJS-based deferred action to youth with approved SIJS petitions who are waiting in the visa backlog. This change effectively eliminated the related path to work authorization for many
whklawfirm
Nov 21, 20251 min read


Between Approval and Goodbye: A Widow Petition Success Story
The Nightmare Scenario Maria and David were married and living in the U.S. They'd filed for her green card through marriage. After months of waiting, they attended their USCIS interview together. It went well. The officer was satisfied. Now they just had to wait for the final approval. Then David died suddenly. Just like that, everything changed. The petition was in his name. The interview was based on their marriage. And now he was gone. Maria faced an impossible question: D
whklawfirm
Nov 19, 20253 min read


๐ ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ผ๐น๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฃ๐น๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ (๐ฃ๐๐ฃ): ๐๐บ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐จ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ฌ๐ผ๐ ๐ก๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ป๐ผ๐
If you or someone you know is planning to apply for Military Parole in Place, there are some key changes to be aware of: ๐ก๐ฒ๐ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ (๐๐ณ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐น๐ ๐ฎ๐ญ, ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฑ) PIP applications are no longer accepted at local USCIS field offices. Everything now goes to one centralized location: USCIS Attn: I-131 PIP 10 Application Way Montclair, CA 91763-1350 Please note: Applications sent to local field offices will be rejected, so make sure y
whklawfirm
Nov 19, 20251 min read


The O-1 Visa Decoded: 8 Essential Questions Answered
Are you a person with extraordinary ability in your field? The O-1 visa is designed for individuals who have achieved and sustained...
whklawfirm
Sep 1, 20253 min read


USCIS Updates: Policy on Assessing Good Moral Character in Adjudication of Naturalization Applications
The journey to U.S. citizenship is one of the most meaningful steps for immigrants. A key requirement for naturalization has always been...
whklawfirm
Aug 27, 20253 min read


Your PhD Could Be Your Ticket: How the O-1 Visa Lays A Pathway to PhD Holders in Business, Education and/or Education in the USA
Imagine leveraging your hard-earned PhD to contribute to revolutionary research or innovation right here in the United States. For those...
whklawfirm
Jun 26, 20254 min read


From Viral to Visa: Unlock Your US Opportunity with an O-1 As An Influencer
Are you a social media influencer with a significant online presence, aiming to tap into the lucrative U.S. market? The O-1 visa could...
whklawfirm
Apr 29, 20253 min read


Protecting Your Future: Understanding the New Wave of Immigration Enforcement Against International Students.
Imagine a student nearing the end of their doctoral research, after years of dedicated work, suddenly finding that their SEVIS record has...
whklawfirm
Apr 15, 20255 min read


Understanding the 2025 Alien Registration Requirements: What You Need to Know
What You Need to Know About the New Registration Rules On January 20, 2025, the U.S. government issued an executive order titled...
whklawfirm
Feb 27, 20253 min read


Understanding the Fifth Circuitโs 2025 DACA Decision: What It Means for YOU
Key Points from the Court's Decision On January 17, 2025, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled on DACA in Texas...
whklawfirm
Jan 20, 20252 min read
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