News & Updates
On December 30, 2019, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) placed an alert on their website for Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status, stating: Alert: We may reject your Form I-918 or your Form I-918 Supplement A if you leave a field blank, unless the field is optional. Optional fields include the safe mailing address as well…
Read MoreThis amicus brief, submitted to the Southern District of Florida, addresses USCIS’s requirement that self-petitioners show shared residence with their abuser during the marriage. With deep gratitude to Prof. Rebecca Sharpless and law students Meredith Hoffman and Olivia Parise from the University of Miami School of Law’s Immigration Clinic for their hard work on this…
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As 2019 comes to close, we’ve taken a look back at the work we’ve done this year, and all we can do with your support in 2020. Learn more about our work this year here.
Read MoreOn Friday November 22, 2019, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals published a decision reversing the district court’s dismissal of a suit challenging a U visa petition denial for lack of jurisdiction. The panel held that § 701(a)(2) of the Administrative Procedure Act (“APA”) and 8 U.S.C. § 1252(a)(2)(B)(ii) do not bar judicial review of…
Read MoreDecember 13, 2019: Over the last week, there have been several policy updates that impact fee waiver practice and advocacy. ASISTA has compiled a brief summary to provide additional background information, practice tips, and advocacy tools for agencies.
Read MoreThis Practice Pointer provides tips to ensure that your U nonimmigrant clients who are seeking admission at a port-of-entry receive an I-94 and passport stamp and to remedy situations in which CBP has failed to issue the I-94 or passport stamp. Click here to download this document in Word version. Copyright @2019 by ASISTA Immigration…
Read More“I’ve been working in immigration rights since the 1980s and I’ve never seen this level of antagonism toward immigrants and women.” In this article, ASISTA Executive Director, Gail Pendleton talks about how immigrant survivors are being scared into silence, and how to find help before you need it. https://www.domesticshelters.org/articles/in-the-news/when-fighting-abuse-could-lead-to-deportation
Read MoreASISTA stridently opposes the proposed fee rule published in the Federal Register yesterday as it further advances the Administration’s callous agenda to create significant barriers to equal access to immigration relief. The new proposed rule makes sweeping changes, including but not limited to: I. Fee Increases An increase in fees for N-400 naturalization application, from $640 to…
Read MoreThis practice advisory provides practitioners a road map for assessing a U Visa petitioner’s potential risk of removal. Click here to download this document in Word version. Copyright @2019 by ASISTA Immigration Assistance. All rights reserved. This product or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used without express written permission from ASISTA Immigration…
Read MoreMany thanks to fellow authors: Nareeneh Sohbatian from Winston & Strawn LA, and Brigit Greeson Alvarez and Victoria Bonds (intern extraordinaire) from LAFLA. Click here for amicus filed at the 9th Circuit, and click here for amicus filed at the BIA. To download the briefs in Word version, click here for 9th circuit brief, and…
Read MoreIn the beginning of November, two lawsuits were filed challenging the harmful revisions to USCIS fee waiver forms. USCIS’ new revisions limit the criteria for fee waivers and increase burdens on low-income applicants applying for immigration relief. Public Citizen on behalf of the Northwest Immigrant Rights Network field a suit in the U.S. District Court for…
Read MoreHave you received a notice from USCIS stating that your U visa case has been transferred to a CBP office or local field office? This Practice Pointer explains that these notices were issued in error and how you can determine where your case is located. Click here to download this document in Word version. Copyright…
Read MoreIn September 2019, ICE responded to a letter sent by Representative Julián Castro (TX-20) and several other members of Congress about the guidance changes regarding stay of removal processes for U visa applicants. In the letter it mentions several points: ICE may join a motion to terminate for U visa applicants in removal proceedings and…
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On August 8, 2019 the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) posted a second opportunity for notice and comment on the new USCIS Tip Form to collect information from the public regarding purported immigration fraud. At ASISTA, we are concerned about the USCIS Tip Form as it represents another tool for abusers and perpetrators of…
Read More“The Trump administration has quietly altered its handling of visas granted to immigrants who cooperate with criminal investigations, allowing people to be deported even while they are waiting for their visas.” ASISTA’s Cecelia Friedman Levin describes the impact of these changes and how they will diminish access to critical protection to immigrant survivors. Read more…
Read MoreSurvivors of domestic violence must have access to critical immigration protections without fearing they may be deported before their cases are decided. ASISTA’s Cecelia Friedman Levin weighs in on a new ICE policy that creates barriers for immigrant survivors of violence. Read more here.
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ASISTA with support from the Alliance for Immigrant Survivors (AIS) has released an advocacy toolkit to help those who work with survivors engage in advocacy efforts with their member of Congress. The toolkit contains sample social media messaging as well as tips to engage your Members of Congress while they are in District. We will…
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At the request of Las Americas, which is coordinating support for El Paso shooting survivors, ASISTA is helping to bring together mental health, social work, faith-based, local political, and legal communities to work with the hundreds of immigrants harmed in the shooting. For more info on Las Americas work with shooting survivors, click here. How…
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ASISTA Comment on USCIS’ Harmful Proposed Rule on Fees
On December 30, 2019, ASISTA submitted its organizational comment in response to USCIS’ new proposed rule which increases immigration fees, further limits the criteria and availability of fee waivers, and includes a transfer of millions of dollars from USCIS to ICE. You can read ASISTA’s comprehensive comment here.
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