The Immigration Mastermind Carlos Batara

It’s no secret.  The U.S. immigration system needs repair.
But how you ask?
Well, actually, a few simple ideas could greatly improve the process for family-sponsored green card applicants.
Here are five small changes that would (a) reduce how many immigrants are waiting for interviews and (b) how long they need to wait before the big day occurs.
Related Podcasts:
Episode 188: Guiding Principles For Immigration Reform
Episode 68: Why A Border Wall Is Not The Answer
Recommended Links For More Information:
Renewing The Battle For The Reuniting Families Act
Trapped In The Politics Of The 1960s: Immigrant Relative Visas

Today, I’d like to discuss priority dates, one of the most significant concepts in green card cases.
It’s one of those terms many immigrants have heard, but do not really understand what it means or how It works.
Yet, when an immigrant reaches his or her priority date, it marks a major milestone for them, bringing their dreams and hopes one big step closer to becoming reality.
Related Podcasts:
Episode 143: Upgrading I-130 Petitions For Immigrant Spouses: Tips And Pitfalls
Episode 111: What Does Conversion Of Immigrant Petitions Mean?
Recommended Links For More Information:
How To Understand Visa Preference Categories: Green Cards From Abroad
Down The Green Card Rabbit Hole: A Journey To The Back Of The Line

United States citizenship.
It’s the final frontier of U.S. immigration law.
And for immigrants who naturalize, the last step of the immigration process takes place when he or she takes the Oath of Allegiance at their naturalization ceremony. 
The name, alone, tells the main purposes of such a recital at the moment one becomes a U.S. citizen.
Related Podcasts:
Episode 192: Citizenship vs Permanent Residence: The Differences
Episode 65: The Truth About Dual Citizenship
Recommended Links For More Information:
The Oath Of Citizenship
Women Stripped Of U.S. Citizenship Because Of Marriages To Immigrants

It’s a terrible law.
Imagine you’re a virtual assistant – who works from home – from a country outside the United States.
You visit a cousin in the United States.  You enter on a tourist visa.
While, you’re here, you turn on your laptop, and you do some work for a client who lives in England, Canada, or Singapore.
Once you turned on your computer to help one of your clients, you’re deemed to be in violation of your visa.
And this could lead to a finding of being inadmissible, several years later, even as the spouse of a U.S. citizen.
Related Podcasts:
Episode 102: Immigrants Do Not Come To America To Steal Jobs
Episode 73: Why Entries And Exis Can Make Or Break Your Case
Recommended Links For More Information:
Four Insights About The Economic Contributions Of Immigrants In The United States
Can A Tourist Visa Overstay Win Permanent Residency?

Why do so many U.S. citizens fear the impact of immigration reform?
Is their opposition based on facts or misconceptions?
Since changes to immigration law in 1997, advocates for immigrants have been forced to play defense. 
The arguments against reform, however, have remained the same.  
Related Podcasts:
Episode 188: Guiding Principles For Immigration Reform
Episode 4: Fighting Hate With Hate Is Not The Answer
Recommended Links For More Information:
The Insidious Mythology Of Immigration Ghettos
Four Insights About The Economic Contributions Of Immigrants In The United States

“Who can I immigrate?”
This is one of the most common questions that immigration lawyers are asked.
The answer depends.
Who you can immigrate depends on whether you are a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
Related Podcasts:
Episode 143: Upgrading I-130 Petitions For Immigrant Spouses: Tips And Pitfalls
Episode 111: What Does Conversion Of Immigrant Petitions Mean?
Recommended Links For More Information:
How To Understand The I-130 Immigrant Relative Petition
Immigrant Visa Petitions: The First Step In The Family-Based Green Card Process