New York Lawyer's Legal Updates
EB-1 In 2024–2025: What AAO Decisions And USCIS Guidance Mean For Your Case (And How To Prepare)
27 August 2025As a New York immigration lawyer guiding EB-1 filings for researchers, founders, artists, and executives, I’m seeing clear patterns in how USCIS and the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) are reading the rules right now. Below I unpack the latest USCIS policy guidance and very recent AAO non-precedent decisions—and translate them into practical, ...
Recent USCIS Memo On Good Moral Character For Naturalization (What It Changes And How To Prepare)
27 August 2025By New York Immigration Lawyer Alena Shautsova On August 15, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued Policy Memorandum PM-602-0188, instructing officers to apply a rigorous, holistic “totality of the circumstances” review when deciding Good Moral Character (GMC) for naturalization. In plain terms: officers must now consider ...
USCIS Policy Update: “Anti-American Views” Now A Key Factor In Immigration Adjudications
27 August 2025By New York Immigration Lawyer Alena Shautsova What Changed? On August 19, 2025, USCIS updated its Policy Manual (Volume 1) to direct officers to assign “overwhelmingly negative discretionary weight” to applicants who have “endorsed, promoted, supported, or otherwise espoused the views of an anti American or terrorist organization or group,” incl ...
I-129F Vs. I-130: Which Petition Is Right For Bringing Your Partner To The USA?
16 August 2025New York Immigration Lawyer: ALENA SHAUTSOVA When love crosses borders, U.S. immigration law offers a few paths to unite couples. Two of the most common are Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)) and Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative). At first glance, they may seem interchangeable—but they serve very different purposes, and choosing the ...
EB-2 NIW RFE Guide – New York Immigration Lawyer Explains How To Respond And Win
16 August 2025Author: EB2 NIW Attorney Alena Shautsova Understanding EB-2 NIW RFEs A Request for Evidence (RFE) is issued by USCIS when they believe a petition may be approvable but lacks sufficient documentation to make a decision. It explicitly outlines what’s missing or unclear, giving you a chance to strengthen your case rather than being outright denied. ...
Do I Have To Carry My Green Card At All Times?
26 July 2025Author: New York Immigration Lawyer Alena Shautsova As a U.S. immigration lawyer based in New York, I am often asked by lawful permanent residents (LPRs): “Do I really have to carry my green card with me everywhere I go?” The short answer is yes—and the consequences for failing to do so may surprise you. Legal Requirement to Carry a Green Card ...
What To Expect At A USCIS Asylum Interview: Tips From A Top Asylum Lawyer
26 July 2025Author: New York Asylum Lawyer Alena Shautsova If you're applying for asylum in the United States, one of the most important—and often intimidating—steps in the process is the USCIS asylum interview. As a New York-based asylum lawyer with years of experience helping immigrants through this process, I know how overwhelming this day can be. But with ...
I-485 Denial: What It Means And What You Can Do Next
26 June 2025By Alena Shautsova | New York Immigration Lawyer Helping immigrants build a life in the United States—one case at a time. Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) is the final step in many U.S. immigration journeys. Whether based on family, employment, asylum, or other categories, it allows immigrants already in the U.S. to apply for ...
Green Card Through Marriage: What Can Go Wrong?
26 June 2025By Alena Shautsova, New York Immigration Lawyer Helping families unite and navigate the complexities of U.S. immigration law. A green card through marriage is one of the most common and often the fastest ways to obtain permanent residency in the United States. However, this seemingly straightforward process is riddled with potential ...
I-601 Waiver: Overcoming Immigration Barriers With Expert Legal Help
26 June 2025By Alena Shautsova, Immigration Waiver Lawyer | Call 917-885-2261 Helping families stay united through strategic immigration waiver representation. The United States immigration system offers several pathways to lawful status—but it also imposes strict rules. Sometimes, a person applying for a visa or green card is found inadmissible due to cer ...