LINCOLN-GOLDFINCH LAW – ABOGADOS DE INMIGRACIÓN BLOGS
Read the latest News, Immigration Law Updates & what life in general awaits for you as a United States immigrant.
How Long Does Form I-130 Take? Processing Times Explained
TL;DR: As of mid-2026, a Form I-130 for an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen generally takes 10 to 24 months to be approved, though some cases run longer, and family preference categories wait [...]
How To Fill Out Your Form I-130 Step By Step
TL;DR: Form I-130 has nine parts spread across twelve pages, and most problems come from small inconsistencies, not hard questions. You give details about your relationship, yourself as the petitioner, the relative you are [...]
Can A Deported Parent Take A Child Abroad?
Summary: A deported parent may be able to take a U.S.-citizen child abroad, but custody orders, the other parent’s rights, passport rules, and foreign entry rules control the answer. Deportation does not automatically erase [...]
Petition For Parents: Bringing Your Mother or Father Home
TL;DR: Only a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 can petition for a parent, and a parent counts as an immediate relative, so there is no visa waiting line. Green card holders cannot [...]
Why USCIS Sent A Second Prima Facie Notice
TL;DR: A second Prima Facie Notice usually means USCIS renewed your Notice of Prima Facie Case while your VAWA self-petition remains pending. It does not mean approval, denial, or that something went wrong. USCIS [...]
Does Prima Facie Give You Legal Status?
TL;DR: A prima facie determination in a VAWA case means USCIS reviewed your initial evidence and found it credible enough to move forward. It can help you access certain public benefits depending on your [...]
What To Do In The First 24 Hours After ICE Arrest
TL;DR: The first 24 hours after an ICE arrest are critical. Family members should gather the detainee's full legal name, date of birth, country of birth, and A-number as quickly as possible. The detained [...]
ICE Hold, Detainer, Or Deportation Order?
TL;DR: An ICE hold (detainer) is a request from Immigration and Customs Enforcement asking a jail to keep someone up to 48 hours past their release date. A deportation order, formally called a removal [...]
Bars After Deportation: When Can You Return?
TL;DR: After deportation, U.S. immigration law imposes a reentry bar of 5, 10, or 20 years depending on how the removal happened. Some people face a permanent bar. The length depends on the type [...]
Can You Apply For Asylum Again After A Denial?
TL;DR: A previous asylum denial does not always close every door. Depending on how and where the case was decided, you may be able to renew your claim in immigration court, file a motion [...]
