Law Offices of Brian D. Lerner
Deportation Lawyers & Immigration Attorneys Helping Families Nationwide
Question: I have been here in the U.S. since I was six years old. About 12 years ago, I committed a drug crime of possession for sale. I was sentenced to 4 months. Now, all these years later, I have been put into removal proceedings where INS is trying to deport me. I have been …
Question: I filed a Labor Certification several years ago and it has just been certified. Now I am told that I must file the I-140 or Employment based petition. Additionally, I am told that only afterwards can I file the Adjustment of Status Petition. I urgently need to work and to leave the U.S., but …
Question: My mother filed a petition for me some years back. I will be 21 years old in September of this year. My understanding is that I am now an immediate relative which allows me to come into the U.S. right away when the Visa Number becomes current. However, once I am over 21 years …
Question: My mother filed a petition for me some years back. I am from the Philippines. She was a Lawful Permanent Resident at the time. Just last year she became a U.S. Citizen. I was sure that now it would take faster for me to get my Green Card. Unfortunately when I called, they told …
Question: I lost my case at the Immigration Court. I understand that I have many issues that I can appeal and that there is a very reasonable chance that I could win. Can you let me know where my appeal goes and what might happen? Answer: There are many Immigration Courts in the U.S. All …
Question: I have seen your previous articles on the new Age-Out provisions of the law just recently passed. My father filed a petition for me around 1993. I am from the Philippines. He was a Lawful Permanent Resident at the time. Three years ago he became a U.S. Citizen. I was actually called for the …
Question: I know that President Bush has signed into law the new Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) on August 6, 2002. However, I am very confused on whether this law applies to me. Can you clarify how I know if I have ‘aged-out’ under the new law? Answer: First, there are sections that apply to …
Question: What are Essential Workers? Answer: “Essential Workers” are the unskilled and semi-skilled workers employed in all sectors of our economy. Essential workers include restaurant workers, retail clerks, construction trades people, manufacturing line workers, hotel service workers, food production workers, landscape workers, and health care aids. It includes a multitude of other types of professions. …
Question: I know that the Child Protection Act has been passed on August 6, 2002. However, I am still confused if I fall under this provision. Can you help to clarify? Answer: Yes. The Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) makes certain allowances for people who have become older than 21 years old, but can still …
Question: I have been in the United States for 13 years and have worked illegally the entire time. My boss just came to me last week and said the Social Security Department has sent him notification that there is something wrong with my Social Security Number and that he must terminate my position. Two days …
The Board of Immigration Appeals issued a decision, In re Ariadna Angelica Gonzalez, et al. (23 I & N Dec. 467, Interim Decision #3479, BIA 2002) on September 19, 2002 that seems to ease some of the restrictions on applying for cancellation of removal. When an alien is placed into removal proceedings (previously referred to …
Question: I know that the immigration laws now only allow me to come into the U.S. on a Visitor Visa for only 30 days. I was planning to go to the U.S. to visit, and then later, if I found a good job offer, to change my status to some type of working status. Additionally, …
Question: I have been in the United States for many years. I think there were several things I could have done in the past to help my situation, but did not know exactly what to do. Unfortunately, I let the opportunities pass because I was afraid to see a lawyer. To be honest, I was …
Question: I entered the United States a couple of months ago as a visitor and would now like to work in the United States. I have a degree in Business with an emphasis in accounting and have a couple of firms interested in hiring me. Do I qualify for a work permit, and if so, …
Question: I know that Congress has a ‘lame-duck’ session now. I was wondering if there were any new and recent developments in the immigration laws. Answer: There has actually been quite a bit that has been recently signed into law by President Bush. Here is the summary of those recent laws. On November 2, President …