Paige Hooper

Articles written by Paige Hooper

What Is a Certificate of Disposition (Certified Disposition)?

When applying for certain immigration benefits — such as an asylum work permit or DACA status — you may need to disclose whether you have a criminal history. Having a criminal history doesn’t automatically make you ineligible for the benefit you’re requesting. But you’ll have to provide a certified disposition telling the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) how the criminal matter was resolved. This article explains what a certified disposition is, why you might need one, and how to get one.

How To Write an Advance Parole Cover Letter

Written by Paige Hooper.

Depending on your immigration status, you may need to apply for advance parole before traveling outside the United States. The advance parole application is relatively straightforward, but you’ll need to provide official forms as well as evidence when you submit it to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). To help keep your application organized, you can add a cover letter to your advance parole application packet. In this guide, you’ll learn more about how the cover letter fits in with the rest of the application documents and the best way to write a cover letter for your advance parole application.

What Does the USCIS Case Status “Case Approved” Mean for My Form I-539: Application To Change or Extend Nonimmigrant Status?

Written by Paige Hooper.

If your USCIS case status says “Case Was Approved,” congratulations! This means USCIS has reviewed your application, determined your eligibility, and decided to grant your Form I-539 application. You’ll often see several statuses prior to approval as your case progresses, and it can take a long time for USCIS to process and approve your application. It takes an average of 4-10 months for USCIS to process and approve Form I-539 requests. This article explains the case approval process with USCIS and what happens after your case is approved.

How To Write a Declaration in Support of Your Advance Parole (I-131) Application + Sample Letter

Written by Paige Hooper.

Even if you have legal immigration status, you may not be able to travel freely outside the United States and re-enter legally. To travel from and be allowed to return to the U.S., some people need to apply for advance parole from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You can travel for humanitarian, educational, or employment purposes, and part of the application process includes providing evidence for the purpose of your trip. One way to provide this evidence is to write a declaration in support letter explaining why USCIS should grant your Advance Parole request.

What Is an Aggravated Felony According to U.S. Immigration Law?

Written by Paige Hooper.

Being convicted of an aggravated felony as a noncitizen can have serious immigration repercussions. These can include getting deported from the United States or being ineligible to receive future immigration benefits, such as a visa or green card. But figuring out what counts as an aggravated felony can be confusing. We created the following guide to help explain what an aggravated felony is and what your options are if you are facing an aggravated felony immigration conviction.

Everything You Need To Know About USCIS Form I-526

Written by Paige Hooper.

Filing Form I-526 is the first step foreign investors must take to get an EB-5 investor visa. The EB-5 visa is a unique type of employment-based visa. To qualify for an EB-5, you must first invest the required capital in a qualifying EB-5 project. You also have to submit proof of your eligibility for an EB-5 visa as part of the Form I-526 filing process. This article explains what the EB-5 program is, who is eligible to file Form I-526, and how the application process works.

What Does the USCIS Case Status “Case Approved” Mean for My Form I-765 Work Permit Application?

Written by Paige Hooper.

If your USCIS case status says, “Case Was Approved,” congratulations! This means USCIS has reviewed your application, determined your eligibility, and decided to grant your Form I-765: Application for Employment Authorization (work permit application). You’ll often see several statuses prior to approval as your case progresses, and it can take a long time for USCIS to process and approve your application. It takes an average of 2-7 months for USCIS to process and approve work permits. This article explains the case approval process with USCIS and what happens after your case is approved.