Author: Jeff MacArthur

USCIS has just announced a final rule that will increase the filing fees for most U.S. immigration applications and petitions. The new fee schedule will take effect on December 23, 2016. USCIS is almost entirely funded by the fees that applicants and petitioners pay for immigration benefits. By law, USCIS is required to conduct fee […]

October was another busy month at the Peace Bridge for the attorneys at Berardi Immigration Law. We presented numerous TN and L-1 petitions with our clients to facilitate the adjudication process. All were approved with well-crafted petitions and thorough legal analysis. The L-1 category is useful for multinational companies that wish to transfer managers, executives and […]

With the election just around the corner, it is important to understand where presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton stand on immigration issues. Be sure to check out our blog “Part 1 of 2: Spotlight on Donald Trump’s Potential Immigration Policies.” Path to Citizenship The former U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, says she […]

During every presidential election, it seems one of the most controversial topics is immigration. This year’s race between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton is no different. This week, we will be taking a look at each candidate’s stand on immigration. First, we will be analyzing Donald Trump’s reform plans for the U.S. immigration system. Be […]

Mr. Pierre Lauzon received an opportunity to provide management consulting services to Gogo Inc., a provider of in-flight connectivity and wireless entertainment solutions for the global aviation industry. All he needed was an approved TN visa that would allow him to successfully enter and work in the United States. Unsure of how to complete the […]

On Sept. 29, 2016, a Continuing Resolution was signed into law to extend several important immigration programs, including the Conrad 30 Program, the non-minister special immigrant religious work program (SR visa), and the EB-5 Regional Center Program. The House and the Senate passed the Continuing Resolution on Sept. 28, 2016 and the president signed the […]

Since Naturalization applications are now being processed electronically, USCIS has announced two important filing updates. Firstly, you no longer need to submit two passport-style photographs with your application. Your photo will now be taken during your biometrics appointment at the Application Support Center (ASC). However, this does not apply to applicants residing overseas. If you […]

Some individuals with criminal convictions may be inadmissible to the U.S. no matter how long ago the offense took place or how minor the conviction was. Because the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has comprehensive access to criminal records, any individual with a criminal record runs the risk of being denied entry into the U.S. […]

Q: Who is eligible to vote in United States federal elections? A: Only U.S. citizens and naturalized citizens who are 18 years of age and older can vote in U.S. federal elections. Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) and nonimmigrants are NOT legally allowed to vote in United States elections. Q: How do I know if I’m […]

This year, Oct. 4th marked the opening of registration for the Diversity Visa (DV) 2018 Program, which annually makes available up to 55,000 U.S. immigrant visas to people from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. For many, receiving an immigrant visa to the U.S. can be a dream come true. […]