USCIS recently updated Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, to allow foreign workers to apply for an employment authorization document (EAD) and Social Security number (SSN) on the same form. You can view the updated Form I-765 here.
New Jersey
Federal Appeals Court Rules Immigration Authorities Must Consider Ability to Pay When Setting Bond
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that immigration judges and the Department of Homeland Security must consider an immigrant’s financial resources when setting bond. This is a major win for undocumented immigrants since there have been multiple reports of people being incarcerated for several years simply because they could not afford to pay bond.
Trump’s At It Again: New Travel Ban Affects 3 Additional Countries
President Trump has issued a new travel ban that restricts or bars immigration from eight countries. A report from ABC News points out several key differences between the most recent ban and the travel ban that went into effect in June—for instance, three more counties (North Korea, Venezuela, and Chad) will be affected by the new ban, restrictions on Sudan have been lifted, the specific limitations and restrictions vary by country.
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DHS to Begin Monitoring Immigrants’ Social Media Accounts
A recent report from the New York Times profiles yet another controversial change to immigrant vetting procedures in the United States. On Oct. 18, the Department of Homeland Security will begin screening the social media accounts of all immigrants who enter the U.S. The DHS will also track the social media data of green card holders and naturalized citizens including user names, aliases, search results, and associated identifiable information.
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5 Ways to Qualify for U.S. Citizenship Without Residing in the Country for 5 Years
Becoming a citizen of the United States is a complicated and time-consuming process. In most cases, an immigrant who wants to become a naturalized U.S. citizen must reside in this country for five years and remain physically present in the U.S. for 30 months within that five-year period; however, there are several exceptions to this rule, and if one of those exceptions applies to your situation, you may be able to become a U.S. citizen without meeting the physical presence requirement.
What Constitutes a “Credible Fear” of Persecution or Torture for Asylum Seekers?
If you left your home country out of fear for your own safety and you are afraid to return, you may qualify for asylum in the United States. However, you must meet strict eligibility requirements in order for your asylum application to be approved. One of the most important of these requirements is to establish that you have a “credible fear” of persecution or torture.
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