Illegal Central American Immigration Surges Again at U.S. Border

For the second time in three years, the U.S. Border Patrol is apprehending more non-Mexicans than Mexicans along the southwest border, reflecting a renewed surge of Central American migrants fleeing violence and gang warfare in their home countries. 

Many of those apprehended are children traveling alone or in so-called “family units,” and come from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, according to newly released statistics from U.S. Customs and Border Enforcement. Nearly two-thirds of the apprehensions occurred within the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sector, spanning much of Texas’s southernmost tip. Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2016/09/15/central-american-illegal-immigration-us-border-loo/

For more information, please, contact Las Vegas Immigration Attorney Darren Heyman.

How U.S. Immigration Policy Has Changed Since 9/11

U.S. immigration policy is inextricably linked with national security and border control policies. But that wasn’t always the case. The Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks prompted a major shift in the way the country handles immigration, creating new government bodies and tightening restrictions on who is and isn’t allowed in.

“The 9/11 hijackers entered the country with ― a fact that immediately linked immigration with terrorism and national security,” explained the Migration Policy Institute in a 2011 fact sheet. Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/us-immigration-since-911_us_57d05479e4b0a48094a71bc0

For more information, please contact Las Vegas Immigration Attorney Darren Heyman

Becoming a U.S. Citizen During Constitution Week

Editor's Note: USCIS Director León Rodríguez, who spoke during last year's national conference of the non-partisan New Americans Campaign, writes that USCIS takes special pride in naturalizing new citizens during Constitution Week.
The U.S. Constitution: it’s a legalistic document that takes about a half-hour to read. Yet it changed the course of history, by encoding the basic principles and values that have managed to sustain our nation as a beacon burning bright for the world for more than two centuries. 

Which is why U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) takes special pride in naturalizing new citizens – good people drawn by that beacon -- during Constitution Week. These ceremonies are an appreciation of the historic connection to the roughly 4,500 words that these brand-new Americans just swore an oath to support and defend. Read more: http://newamericamedia.org/2016/09/becoming-a-us-citizen-during-constitution-week.php
For more information, please contact Las Vegas Immigration Attorney, Darren Heyman.

Library hosting US citizenship information workshop

The Paso Robles City Library will host a Spanish language US citizenship information session on Friday, Sept. 23 from 6-8 p.m. in the library conference room located at 1000 Spring Street.

This public workshop is part of the continued efforts of U.S. Citizenship and Information Services (USCIS) to help immigrants better understand the naturalization process, including the content of the naturalization test. The sessionwill also serve to provide access to free educational resources and materials available from the agency.

USCIS personnel will be on-hand to discuss the naturalization process step-by-step and provide information about eligibility and residency requirements, application forms, fees, the background security check and processing times. Participants will also see sample questions from the naturalization test and receive an overview of U.S. history and civic principles. Free educational materials will be available while supplies last. Read more: http://pasoroblesdailynews.com/library-hosting-us-citizenship-information-workshop/61688/

For more information, please contactLas Vegas Immigration Attorney, Darren Heyman.

How hard is it to pass the US citizenship test?

The BBC's Laura Trevelyan, who has lived in the US for the past 12 years, is applying to become a US citizen. That process includes a citizenship test. Here, she recounts her efforts to get up to speed.

It's more than 25 years since I last took a test, and so I'm more than a little out of practice. The brain cells are not what they were, and even the short-term memory is fading.

My initial attempts to study for the US citizenship test were a dismal failure. Pathetic, even. A large booklet called Learn About the United States: Quick Civics Lessons for the Naturalization Test has been sitting by my bedside for months. Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37014747. 

For more information, please contact Las Vegas Immigration Attorney, Darren Heyman.

Can you pass the test to become a U.S. citizen?

The path to U.S. citizenship includes specific residency requirements, the ability to read, write and speak English, and an understanding of U.S. history and government.

During a naturalization interview, an officer from US Citizenship and Immigration Services may ask up to 10 questions from a list of 100 questions in English. Some answers may change because of elections or political appointments. Applicants must answer correctly 6 of the 10 questions to pass the civics test. Read more: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/07/can_you_pass_the_test_to_become_a_us_citizen.html

Contact Darren Heyman, Las Vegas Immigration Attorney, for more information. 

US border control could start asking for your social media accounts

US Customs and Border Protection proposal would see Facebook, Twitter and other social media accounts requested on landing and visa forms.

The US government is proposing making social media accounts part of the visa screening process for entry into the country.

US Customs and Border Protection’s proposed change would add a line on both the online and paper forms of the visa application form that visitors to the US must fill out if they do not have a visa and are planning on staying for up to 90 days.

The following question would be added to both the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (Esta) and I-94W forms: “Please enter information associated with your online presence—Provider/Platform—Social media identifier.”

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jun/28/us-customs-border-protection-social-media-accounts-facebook-twitter

Contact Darren Heyman, Las Vegas Immigration Attorney, for more information.