Immigration Visa Attorney BlogUSCIS temporarily extends validity of work permits by 540 days
A frequent concern brought to the attention of Los Angeles area immigration attorneys Romben Law, APC is the long delay in the processing of work permits.
USCIS has sought to alleviate this issue by temporarily extending the validity of existing employment authorization documents (more commonly known as “work permits” by 540 days. In the past, immigrants would be unable to work after the expiration of their cards and while their applications for new permits languished at the agency. USCIS had previously allowed a 180-day extension, but this new policy acknowledges the long delays in generating new cards and the hardships endured by immigrants who may be terminated from their employment. As a result of this policy change, immigrants may show their expired cards and the receipt indicating that they have applied for a new permit.
The USCIS policy announcement may be found here. For more information, we invite you to contact us. –ra
President Obama’s executive order to provide relief to undocumented immigrants opens up a new opportunity for many who had no options. However, whenever the immigration laws change, it also creates a chance for unlicensed notaries public, unscrupulous “immigration advisors,” and others who see an opportunity to cheat hard-working people. In my offices in Pasadena and Palm Springs, I hear stories all the time about how a notary charged a fortune and did nothing. Even more disturbing, people in the C oachella Valley seeking visa and immigration service and assistance have told me of persons who have provided harmful, incorrect information.
In my 30 years as an immigration lawyer in the gay and lesbian community, the question I am asked most is, “why can’t I bring my foreign partner to the USA? Straight people can get married and bring their spouses! We should have the same rights!” This question has resonated here in my offices in Los Angeles and in Palm Springs. I have been asked the question when I practiced in San Francisco and Chicago. I even get asked the question in Paris and London. The over-simplified answer is the word “marriage.”
For over 10 years, immigrants and their families have come to Romben Law, APC and asked me about any possible changes to the immigration law that will help them. I hear, from clients in Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and many other places that they need some change in the immigration law to allow them to stay in this country and pursue their dreams, work productively, be free from persecution, and most importantly, to be united with their families.
After practicing law together for almost one decade, Eileen Chun-Fruto and I have evolved into different forms of law practice. I will continue to practice immigration and nationality law, handle consultations, and do my blog here at my offices in Los Angeles and in Palm Springs. The firm name is now, “Romben Law, APC.” You can reach me, as before, at Tel: +1.323.769.8187 — this is the same phone number you have used in the past. My new e-mail address is:
The immigration lawyers at Romben Law, APC in Los Angeles and in Palm Springs have been hearing that US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) officers — the border guards at the airports and other ports of entry (POE) — have been asking arriving US citizens and residents about taxes owed to the IRS and the US Government.