Berardi Blog
The Berardi Immigration Law blog – find all our posts here.
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Department of Homeland Security Releases Year-end Statistics
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently released its fiscal year 2014 enforcement statistics from the DHS Office of Immigration Statistics, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). All three agency’s statistics are being reported and released together in an effort to promote transparency and timely reporting to […]Read More -
What is PERM Certification?
Before many foreign workers can apply for an employment-based Green Card through U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) or a consular post, his or her employer must first receive a PERM Labor Certification from the U.S. Department of Labor (U.S. DOL). PERM certification verifies to USCIS that there are no available U.S. workers for a […]Read More -
CBP Launches Border Wait Time App
Last week, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) launched a free Border Wait Time app that makes it easier for travelers to plan their trip across the border. Among its features, the app provides estimated wait times and open lane statuses at land ports of entry. This allows travelers to make better-informed decisions of the […]Read More -
U.S. to Restore Full Relations with Cuba
On Dec. 17, 2014, President Barack Obama made a surprise announcement ordering the restoration of full diplomatic relations with Cuba. This historic deal ends a 54-year stalemate between the neighboring countries separated by a mere 90 miles of ocean. The President has provided a new approach in the hope of promoting more effective change that […]Read More -
Tips to Help Prepare for Your Biometrics Appointment
Many applications filed with USCIS require that a comprehensive record check be conducted on the individual applicant prior to adjudication and/or interview. USCIS accomplishes this by capturing an applicant’s biometrics via electronic fingerprinting, which is then followed by a criminal and immigration records search. For many people, the prospect of being fingerprinted can be stressful. However, for […]Read More -
Re-entry Permit Basics: How to Preserve Your Green Card During Long-term Travel
Lawful permanent residents and conditional residents (green card holders) are required to physically reside in the United States, except for brief trips abroad. However, some lawful permanent residents may have continuing needs (such as family, employment or business) to reside abroad and enter the U.S. infrequently. In such a circumstance, the lawful permanent resident needs […]Read More -
The E-2 Visa: Entering the U.S. as an Investor
If you are a foreign investor with plans to invest in a U.S. business, the E-2 visa category may be an ideal nonimmigrant visa option for you. With the E-2 visa, entrepreneurs, investors, business owners and their employees can move to the U.S. to develop and direct the operations of a business. Berardi Immigration Law […]Read More -
Foreign National Students Must Proceed With Caution When Volunteering or Accepting Unpaid Internships
With the fall semester coming to a close for college students, many will begin packing up and heading home to spend the holidays with their loved ones. But what about foreign nationals here in the U.S. on a student visa, who may not want to travel back to their home country for the break? Some […]Read More -
DHS Designates Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone
In response to this year’s Ebola outbreak, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has announced his decision to designate Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for the next 18 months. This status prevents nationals of these countries currently residing in the U.S. from being removed during this period or from being […]Read More -
Explaining Form I-797 and Its Many Variations
Form I-797, Notice of Action is issued as a result of an application or petition submitted to USCIS. It’s important to note that it is not a form to be filled out. USCIS uses seven different types of Form I-797, including six lettered varieties from A through F, to communicate with customers or convey an […]Read More -
Executive Orders on Immigration Impact High-skilled Businesses and Workers
As part of President Obama’s Executive Orders on Immigration, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson has released a policy memorandum to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The memorandum is broken into five policies aimed to support U.S. high-skilled businesses and workers. The new policies outlined in the memorandum will be good for both U.S. businesses and […]Read More -
The Executive Orders on Immigration: What You Need to Know
An estimated five million lives may be impacted today when President Obama signs a series of comprehensive immigration-based executive orders into effect. As you will read below, these executive orders will create significant amendments to our current immigration system. Regardless of one’s stance on these measures, it is important to understand how executive orders operate […]Read More -
Stay Safe with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
In the spirit of Buffalo’s recent extreme weather conditions, we’d like to provide information about a special program offered through the Department of State (DOS) that warns travelers about potentially dangerous conditions in their upcoming travel destinations, among other things. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service that allows U.S. citizens and […]Read More -
USCIS Website Offers a Brand New Look and Enhanced Features
USCIS recently unveiled their new and improved website, featuring a cleaner look and more efficient tools. The updated web page now provides easy-to-navigate sections on news, outreach events, educational webinars and more, while still offering the practical icons and tabs that users are familiar with. The biggest change involved the Case Status Tool, a feature […]Read More -
U.S. and China Extending Visa Validity Periods for Select Categories
On Nov. 12, the U.S. and China began increasing the length of short-term business and tourist visas as well as student and exchange visas issued to each others’ citizens. Chinese applicants who qualify for the B visa may now be issued multiple-entry visas for up to 10 years for business and tourist travel. This is […]Read More -
USCIS Celebrates Veterans Day with Naturalization Ceremonies
Each year on Nov. 11, we honor those who have risked their lives to serve in the United States Armed Forces. Veterans Day is a federal holiday and is often celebrated with nationwide parades and events. This year, USCIS will celebrate Veterans Day by hosting nearly 40 naturalization ceremonies throughout the week. USCIS will highlight […]Read More -
Preserving the Status of Children Born to LPR Parents
Per U.S. immigration regulations, any child born in the United States is automatically granted U.S. citizenship. This means that, regardless of their immigration status, the parents do not have to file any special immigration-related forms or follow any special immigration-related procedures in order to obtain status for their newborn. But what happens when a child […]Read More -
Busy Winter Travel Season Expected to Delay Passport Processing Times
With the busy holiday travel season right around the corner, the U.S. Department of State is encouraging U.S. citizens to apply for or renew their U.S. passports now if making plans for winter travel. The DOS is currently experiencing lower average passport processing times than it will once the winter season arrives. Applicants traveling in […]Read More -
USCIS Declares ‘Mother’ and ‘Parent’ No Longer Requires Genetic Relationship
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a new policy on Oct. 28, 2014, that has altered the definitions of “mother” and “parent” so that gestational mothers using assisted reproductive technology (ART) may be able to transfer their U.S. citizenship to their children. An example of such ART would be a woman who became […]Read More -
An Interview with Original Peace Bridge NAFTA Officer Samuel Tiranno
After serving more than 33 years as an immigration inspector, it comes as no surprise that our NAFTA paralegal, Samuel Tiranno, has a vast understanding of employment-based visa categories. Mr. Tiranno first began his career in immigration in 1973 with the Buffalo District Office of Immigration & Naturalization Services (INS). He then went on to […]Read More
Recent Blog Posts
- Department of Homeland Security Releases Year-end Statistics
- What is PERM Certification?
- CBP Launches Border Wait Time App
- U.S. to Restore Full Relations with Cuba
- Tips to Help Prepare for Your Biometrics Appointment
- Re-entry Permit Basics: How to Preserve Your Green Card During Long-term Travel
- The E-2 Visa: Entering the U.S. as an Investor
- Foreign National Students Must Proceed With Caution When Volunteering or Accepting Unpaid Internships
- DHS Designates Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone
- Explaining Form I-797 and Its Many Variations
- Executive Orders on Immigration Impact High-skilled Businesses and Workers
- The Executive Orders on Immigration: What You Need to Know
- Stay Safe with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
- USCIS Website Offers a Brand New Look and Enhanced Features
- U.S. and China Extending Visa Validity Periods for Select Categories
- USCIS Celebrates Veterans Day with Naturalization Ceremonies
- Preserving the Status of Children Born to LPR Parents
- Busy Winter Travel Season Expected to Delay Passport Processing Times
- USCIS Declares ‘Mother’ and ‘Parent’ No Longer Requires Genetic Relationship
- An Interview with Original Peace Bridge NAFTA Officer Samuel Tiranno
