Berd and Klauss, PLLC

  You may be eligible to apply for asylum if you’ve fled persecution in your home country and come to the United States seeking safety. The process, however, is complex and demanding — it requires that you have either (1) experienced persecution or (2) fear persecution based on specific criteria. Having an asylum lawyer in New York to provide you with legal guidance can make a world of difference. What does asylum mean, and how can it protect you? Asylum is a protection granted to individuals who have fled their home country due to (1) persecution or (2) a well-founded fear of persecution. The US offers this legal pathway to safeguard human rights and provide refuge to those in need. To qualify, you must prove that the persecution you faced relates to at least one of the following categories: race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. ·         Race includes discrimination, threats, or viol...

  In late 2022, the US government implemented the CHNV program, which allowed eligible migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to legally work and live in the US for two years. This program was designed to address the influx of migrants from these countries and provide a legal pathway for them to remain in the US. However, the Biden administration announced the end of this temporary humanitarian program on October 4, 2024. This decision will impact hundreds of thousands of migrants who benefited from the program, who will now need to explore alternative pathways to legal residency or face potential deportation. How the program changed If you are affected by this, you can always seek help from Berd & Klauss, PLLC. Our immigration attorneys in Brooklyn will help you find alternative solutions and avoid deportation. Who’s affected? Since the CHNV program commenced in 2022, more than 530,000 migrants have been able to fly legally into the United States and ob...

  Are you planning to immigrate to the US from Russia? Our team here at Berd & Klauss, PLLC, can help you navigate the complex immigration process and ensure that your application is prepared correctly. If you’re looking for a Russian immigration lawyer to help with your immigrant visa case, you have come to the right place. Working with a qualified immigration attorney can save you time and potentially even money so that you can focus on other important aspects of your move. To maximize your chances of a successful application, you also need to stay informed about the current state of immigrant visa processing, and you can do this by keeping track of the latest updates from the National Visa Center (NVC) of the Department of State. They recently released an Immigrant Visa Backlog Report for August 2024, providing statistics on the number of immigrant visa cases with complete documentation currently under review by the NVC and those scheduled or waiting for interviews. A s...

  On June 17, 2024, the DHS announced a new initiative toward keeping families together in alignment with the Biden-Harris Administration's goals. This new process offers a potential pathway to citizenship for spouses of US citizens who have been living in the country for a decade but are facing separation due to existing immigration procedures. While it doesn't solve the broader immigration challenges, it provides much-needed relief and stability for thousands of families facing uncertainty. It’s best to consult with a family immigration lawyer in New York to understand this initiative and how it might apply to your case, but we have provided the basics you need to know in this blog. How can DHS’ initiative affect your case? The current law allows spouses of U.S. citizens to apply for a green card through marriage. Unfortunately, this process often forces them to leave the United States and wait abroad while their application is being processed. This can lead to a long a...

For US-based employers hiring foreign workers, it is important to understand the requirements and procedures of Form I-129 for H-1B and any related updates. This form allows petitioners to file on behalf of nonimmigrant workers seeking temporary employment or training in the US under H-1B nonimmigrant classification. It also facilitates requests for status changes to E-1, E-3, E-2, TN, or H-1B1, as well as extensions of stay. It's also important to stay informed about changes in immigration laws and procedures that may affect your workforce. Among the recent updates is the final rule issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), slated to take effect on April 1, 2024. Several changes will impact Form I-129 petitions for H-1B nonimmigrant workers. Below, we highlight these updates that may affect your business. Should you have further inquiries, do not hesitate to consult our immigration lawyer in Queens NY. New fees Starting April 1, 2024, a new fee rule from ...

On January 30, 2024, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced substantial increases in fees for various immigration applications and benefit requests. This marks the first major revision since 2016, prompted by the need to address the agency's financial and operational challenges. The new fees aim to facilitate more efficient processing of applications. Starting April 1, 2024, the updated fee schedule will take effect. To avoid the increased charges, applicants should ensure the USCIS receives their applications before this date. The need to refresh the USCIS fee structure had been imminent, given the agency’s financial and operational challenges. With the new fees, the agency can address its pain points and ensure timely processing for new applications. Things you need to know about the new fee structure Below are some of the significant fee changes for certain forms and applications: ·        Petition for Alien Relative : Fe...