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Many immigration decisions turn not on what a client believes happened, but on what the government’s records say happened. These two things are often not the same. Clients frequently come to us confident about their immigration history. They remember when they entered, what status they had, who filed for them, and what was approved. Those memories are usually sincere. They are also often incomplete. Immigration records span decades, agencies, and filing systems, and they are

Many lawful permanent residents are surprised when the I-751 stage turns out to be harder than the original green card process. By the time conditional residence expires, couples often assume the government is satisfied. The marriage was approved. The green card was issued. Life moved on. That assumption no longer holds. What we are seeing is that the I-751 stage has become a second, more probing review of the marriage, the relationship history, and the credibility of the rec

We need to be honest about the current immigration landscape. Many of the problems our clients are experiencing right now are not avoidable . They are the result of an immigration system that is inefficient, inconsistent, and openly hostile to immigrants. Delays, unexplained holds, increased scrutiny, and shifting standards are systemic features, not isolated failures. That reality does not mean clients are powerless. It means the approach to immigration must be deliberate, i

The December Visa Bulletin brought modest forward movement in several employment-based categories. In practical terms, this means some employees will finally see progress on long-pending green card applications, and others may become eligible to file adjustment of status applications this month. However, despite this forward movement, many cases are still being held in abeyance, and employers should understand why this is happening and what it means for their workforce planni

Adjustment of status interviews have traditionally been viewed as a routine part of the green card process, particularly for individuals applying through a U. S. citizen spouse. For years, even applicants with past overstays or minor immigration issues could attend their interview with minimal concern, because USCIS was focused on adjudicating the application, not on enforcement. Recent developments have changed that expectation significantly. Reports across the country indic

We are providing this week’s update to keep our clients informed about the issues currently affecting the immigration landscape in Chicago and nationwide. These developments have real consequences for pending cases, personal safety, and long-term planning. Chicago Enforcement Climate and Federal Court Oversight Chicago continues to experience aggressive enforcement activity connected to the Midway Blitz operation. Clients should be aware of the following: Federal judges have

The government has announced that it will no longer automatically extend work permits (EADs) while renewal applications are pending. For years, workers who filed timely renewals were protected from job loss by automatic extensions that allowed them to keep working for up to 540 days after their card expired. That protection is ending. This change means that workers will now lose the ability to continue working unless they receive their renewed EAD before the old one expires.

Most people think that if they don’t have legal status in the United States, their only hope for a green card is through marriage to a U.S. citizen or another family member. But that’s not always true. Many individuals without current status can still qualify for employment-based green cards, even if they entered without inspection or overstayed a visa. At Katsivalis & Anderson Law, we frequently help clients explore these options. The key is understanding when unlawful prese

Almost every day, someone calls our office and says, “I just have one quick question,”  or “My case is simple — I just need to fill out a form.”  But in immigration law, things are rarely that simple. Time does not fix problems, and the forms are not the hard part — they are the easy part. What truly matters, and what takes skill, care, and experience, is the investigation behind those forms. Immigration law is not about paperwork; it’s about precision. It’s about understandi

Parents with kids After years of court battles and uncertainty, there’s finally a glimmer of good news for Dreamers. This week, the...

On September 21, 2025, the administration’s new policy requiring a $100,000 fee for new H-1B petitions  takes effect. This unprecedented...

USCIS recently announced that the naturalization exam will be updated beginning October 20, 2025. Anyone filing their N-400 application...

At Katsivalis & Anderson Law, we know that the possibility of detention or deportation is one of the hardest realities many families...

The BIA ruled undocumented immigrants are ineligible for bond hearings, creating indefinite detention. Learn how this impacts families and legal options.

USCIS recently updated its guidance on how officers use discretion in many immigration benefits decisions. Even when an applicant meets...

In a major development, the federal courts have cleared the way for the government to move forward with the cancellation of Temporary...

A Policy Shift with Serious Implications for Mixed-Status Families On August 1, 2025 , USCIS issued updated guidance that—while...

At Katsivalis & Anderson Law, we are closely monitoring recent changes to asylum processing under the Trump administration. A new...

In 2025, more immigrants are being forced to defend themselves in immigration court without legal representation—and the consequences are...

The constitutional right to birthright citizenship in the United States—long considered a settled issue—has come under renewed legal and...