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ByPhillip Kim
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Immigration Reform 2013: Piecemeal Proposal

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House Speaker John Boehner rejects introducing the Senate’s immigration reform bill for debate on the House floor. He justifies by stating that the majority of GOP House members would not vote to allow 11 million undocumented people get citizenship. Instead, GOP members propose single-issue, “piecemeal” bills which reflect conservative ideals.

Democrats oppose this “piecemeal” idea on immigration because it is insufficient for illegal immigrants seeking legalization. However, Democratic House members see it as the only way for the Senate to even consider the bill in the House.

House Republicans drafted three immigration bills that are opposed by Democrats: Strengthen and Fortify Enforcement Act, Legal Workforce Act, and Agricultural Guestworker Act. The Strengthen and Fortify Enforcement Act allow law enforcement to crack down on illegal immigration. The Legal Workforce Act requires employers to use E-Verify within two years to verify the work eligibility status of employees. The Agricultural Guestworker Act creates a farm work program for foreign labor but does not include worker protection.

ByPhillip Kim
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Obama Pushes to Pass Immigration Reform 2013

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The new proposed immigration reform has been approved by the Senate but now waits for the decision of the House. Obama urges Congress to pass this bill so that it would allow a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants in the United States as well as improve border security.

However, challenges to passing this bill include Republican opposition. Back in 2007, Republicans struck down President Bush’s House-backed immigration reform proposal, and they continue to show opposition towards immigration reform.

Democrat Nancy Pelosi who supports the immigration reform warns Republicans to follow suit or they will lose the growing Latino population’s support in future elections. To rebuttal Pelosi’s statement, Republican Bob Goodlatte states it would be unfair for people who reside in the U.S. unlawfully to eventually get citizenship while others who have worked for many years to immigrate lawfully still don’t obtain citizenship.

As these two parties continue to argue for their stances, Obama presses the House to pass the bill before the summer recess in August.

ByPhillip Kim
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Getting U.S. Citizenship Through Naturalization

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U.S. citizenship provides many rights, but also involves many responsibilities. Thus, the decision to become a U.S. citizen through naturalization is important. By becoming a U.S. citizen, you gain many rights that permanent residents or others do not have, including the right to vote. To be eligible for naturalization, you must first meet certain requirements set by U.S. law.

Requirements to be eligible for naturalization include being age 18 or older, being a permanent resident for a certain time period, having good moral character, having a basic knowledge of the U.S. government, having continuous residence in the U.S., and being able to communicate English (with some exceptions).

So when is it possible to apply for naturalization?

One may be able to apply for naturalization if he/she is at least 18 years of age and have been a permanent resident either for at least 5 years, at least 3 years (during which you have been in a marriage relationship with your U.S. citizen husband or wife), or have honorable service in the U.S. military. Certain spouses of U.S. citizens and/or members of the military may be able to file for naturalization sooner than noted above.

To learn more about the naturalization process and take the first step in applying for U.S. citizenship, contact attorney Phillip Kim for specialized help tailored to your needs.

ByPhillip Kim
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DACA Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Process

DACA Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Process
You may request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals if you:

Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;
Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;
Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time;
Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS;
Entered without inspection before June 15, 2012, or your lawful immigration status expired as of June 15, 2012;
Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States; and
Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.
Age Requirements

Anyone requesting consideration for deferred action under this process must have been under 31 years old as of June 15, 2012. You must also be at least 15 years or older to request deferred action, unless you are currently in removal proceedings or have a final removal or voluntary departure order, as summarized in the table below:

Your situation Required age
I have never been in removal proceedings, or my proceedings have been terminated before making my request. At least 15 years old at the time of submitting your request and not over 31 years of age as of June 15, 2012.
I am in removal proceedings, have a final removal order, or have a voluntary departure order, and I am not in immigration detention.

Not above the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012, but you may be younger than 15 years old at the time you submit your request.
Timeframe for Meeting the Guidelines

You must prove
That on June 15, 2012 you As of the date you file your request you
Were under 31 years old
Had come to the United States before your 16th birthday
Were physically present in the United States
Entered without inspection by this date, or your lawful immigration status expired as of this date
Have resided continuously in the U.S. since June 15, 2007;
Were physically present in the United States; and
Are in school, have graduated from high school in the United States, or have a GED; or
Are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States
Education and Military Service Guidelines

Your school or military status at the time of requesting deferred action under this process Meet education or military service guidelines for deferred action under this process (Y/N)
I graduated from:

Public or private high school; or
Secondary school.
Or
I have obtained a GED.
Yes
I am currently enrolled in school.

See www.uscis.gov for more information.
If you need help on filing, contact (619) 752-5379, PKimmigration.com

ByStaff
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Employment in the U.S.: Do You Qualify for an H-1B Visa?

H-1B visas apply to people who want to come to the U.S. to perform special services or work on the basis of exceptional merit. You can live in the U.S. for 3 years and this time can be extended up to 6 years.
If you would like to be considered for an H-1B visa for specialty occupations, one of the following must be true about your job.

 

  • The job requires someone who has a Bachelor’s degree or higher. In some countries, the Bachelor’s degree is known by another name – that is fine as long as it is equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree.

 

  • Secondly, it must be true that the employer normally needs someone with a degree to work. It also has to be normal for the industry to require a degree from workers. For example, it is a common rule that doctors, teachers, or engineers to have some form of degree in order to work. Restaurant or gas station jobs do not require special degrees from its workers.

 

  • The job can also be so complicated that it cannot be done by a worker who does not have a degree or Bachelor’s degree.

If your job meets just one of the conditions listed above, the first check has been completed. You are now ready to determine if you meet the criteria to apply for an H-1B visa. In order to be eligible, you must meet one of the following conditions.

 

  • You must hold a U.S. Bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent that is required by your employer at an accredited university or college.

 

  • Or, you must have a license that indicates that you are authorized to work in the state where you are employed. If you are planning on working in California, your license should state that you are permitted to practice your employment in this state.

If you don’t fall into the categories listed, you still have a chance at being accepted for an H-1B:

  • Have you worked or trained in a job enough that you now have the education and expertise of someone who has a degree? Then you might qualify. It is necessary that your knowledge of the field is recognized through advanced employment positions that indicate your level of training in the field.

If your job satisfies one of the criteria above and you educational or employment history indicates that you meet one of the criteria as well, then you may have a chance at receiving an H-1B visa. Other factors must be taken into consideration like the H-1B cap. Every fiscal year, 65,000 H-IB visas are granted to workers. If you have an advanced degree, higher than a Bachelor’s, then you may be exempt from the cap. Also, extra visas are set aside every year for workers from Chile and Singapore. Otherwise, your application may be rejected due to the limit per year. Contact an immigration attorney for more information about the fiscal year cap and whether or not you qualify for an H-1B visa.

 
Because determining your eligibility is a complicated task, it is recommended that you seek the assistance of an attorney. If you have any questions about the H-1B visa, please contact Immigration Attorney Phillip Kim.

ByStaff
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Good Moral Character: Does it Apply to You?

If you have been researching immigration laws, you might have come across the terms “good moral character”. Many avenues of applying for citizenship require that the applicant be of good moral character. In fact, the naturalization process requires this of all applicants. The concept of good character is ambiguous and confusing for many people who are hoping to become U.S. citizens. At the Law Offices of Phillip Kim, we have had many clients approach us with questions about their moral character and whether it will prevent them from becoming citizens. We’ve written this article to clear the air on what it means to have good moral character.

First and foremost, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will look at your criminal record. Certain crimes will result in barring you from becoming a U.S. citizen. These crimes include murder and aggravated felonies. Other less serious offenses might result in a short-term ban. During this time, the applicant will not be eligible for citizenship. Form N-400 is the form used to apply for U.S. citizenship. The form asks many questions about your criminal background. We urge you to respond truthfully and do not omit any criminal charges that were filed against you, even if they are no longer on record or expunged. If USCIS finds out about an issue from your past, you can be denied. Even minor events should be reported.

If you fall into the category of those who have a criminal record, you will need to send a copy of all documents pertaining to your case. For most, these documents include arrest warrants, reports, and court documents. You may also want to consider sending statements or examples of evidence that show your side of the story.

Some clients worry about traffic violations. You do not need to send documents for a traffic incident unless alcohol or drugs were involved. If a traffic violation resulted in an arrest, you will not need to send documents if the penalty involved points on your driver’s license or you were only forced to pay a fine less than $500.

An important note to keep in mind is that some serious crimes come with equally serious consequences. You can be removed (deported) for those crimes. In these cases, USCIS suggests that you seek the assistance of an immigration attorney.

While your criminal record is the primary tool used to determine whether or not you have good moral character, another factor will also jeopardize your plan of becoming a U.S. citizen: lying during interviews. Even if you get away with lying during an interview, if USCIS finds out that you lied later on, your citizenship can be taken away.

In addition, certain specific acts may classify you as someone who does not have good moral character. These include but are not limited to:

  • Failure to pay child support
  • Illegal activities such as prostitution or polygamy
  • Crimes that involve fraud
  • Crimes against the government
  • Being in jail or another institution for 180 days or more during the past 5 years (3 years if you are applying through marriage with a U.S. citizen)

For more information about good moral character, contact Attorney Phillip Kim.

ByStaff
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Victims of Domestic Abuse and U.S. Citizenship

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a law that protects and aids victims of abuse. Though the law states “women”, it applies to men, women, and children. As a result of the passage of VAWA, programs that protect and provide services to victims have increased and expanded in America.

For immigrants, this law is especially helpful to victims who want to become U.S. citizens, but are worried for their safety. If you’re a victim of violence and the abuser (spouse, child, or parent) is a U.S. citizen or holds a green card, you may be eligible to petition for a visa. More importantly, the process can take place in a way that would be safest for you: all paperwork can be filed without the abuser’s knowledge. The National Domestic Violence website contains more information for victims.

Roughly there are three categories for those who can petition for a visa using VAWA:

1. Spouse: if your spouse has abused you, and he or she is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you can file a petition for yourself. You can also apply for your children, if they are unmarried.

2. Parent: if your spouse has abused your child, you can petition for yourself and your child. In addition, you can petition for your children who were not abused. Sometimes, parents are abused by their children. In this case, if your son or daughter is a U.S. citizen, you can also petition for a visa.

3. Child: you qualify as a child if you are under the age of 21, have not been married, and the parent who abused you is a U.S. citizen. If your parent(s) abused you and you have children of your own, you can petition for them. If you have passed the age of 21, but younger than 25, then you can still apply but you will need to demonstrate that the delay in filing was due to the abuse.

If you belong to one of the categories listed above, you may be eligible to petition. But you must meet another set of requirements. This is a common feature of immigration forms. You must not only meet an initial set of criteria, but your specific case must fall into eligibility requirements as well.

If your spouse abused you but is not a U.S. citizen or green card holder, you might still be able to petition if the marriage ended due to death or separation (divorce) – but you must file within 2 years of the end of the marriage. Or, your spouse lost his citizenship or status as a permanent resident because of a domestic violence issue (again, you must file within 2 years of your spouse losing the status). Another option is that you thought you were legally married but your spouse was married to another person, making your marriage unlawful. These are just some of the conditions that must be met in order to establish that you were a victim of abuse. In addition, several other qualifications must be met. For example, it must be true that you lived with the abuser and that you did not get married just for immigration purposes.

There is a different set of requirements for a child who is petitioning or if you are petitioning for a child. The child must be able to prove his/her relationship to the abuser. If you are older than 14, you have to demonstrate that you have “good moral character”. And again, you had to have lived with the abuser.

For parents, the criteria are quite similar to the facts mentioned above. You had to have been abused, living or lived with the abuser, and have “good moral character”. If the abuser is no longer a U.S. citizen or had their green card revoked, it had to have been because of an action of domestic violence, and you must apply within 2 years of their change in status.

If you believe you are eligible to petition for a visa through VAWA, you will need to file Form I-360 plus all other documents that provide USCIS with evidence. The form comes with other benefits besides granting you a visa. If your form is approved, you might be eligible to apply for a work visa. Victims of abuse often remain with their abuser due to financial constraints. With a work visa, you may be able to finance yourself and your children independently.

An approved I-360 also opens the doors to green card issuance. Additional forms must be filed in order to apply for a permanent residence.

For more information about petitioning through VAWA, contact specialized Immigration Attorney Phillip Kim.

ByStaff
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Immediate Relative of a U.S. Citizen? How You can Apply for a Green Card

One of the most popular ways of becoming a U.S. citizen is through an immediate family member. When it comes to applying for a visa, immediate relatives are given top priority.

There are an unlimited number of visas available for family members. So, if you are an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen, you will not need to be waitlisted until a visa number becomes available. Usually, a visa should be available right away.

You are designated as an immediate relative if you are the spouse, child, or parent of a U.S. citizen. As a child, you must be under the age of 21 and unmarried. If you are applying as the parent, the U.S. citizen must be at least 21 years of age.

You may apply for a green card either while you are in the U.S. or while you are abroad.

If you are currently in the U.S., you can complete the application process in one step: you file an I-485 and your U.S. citizen relative petitions with Form I-130. This must be done at the same time. Filing forms can be complicated, and one mistake could result in a rejection of your request. It is recommended that you seek the assistance of an attorney who is specialized in immigration to help you file these forms.

Sometimes, the petitioner (the U.S. citizen you are related to) files the I-130 early. In this case, you can still file an I-485 as long as the petitioner’s request has not been rejected. When you receive a Notice of Action that tells you that the I-130 has been approved, you can submit from I-485. You will have to include a copy of the receipt or approval notice.

If you are not currently in the U.S., but are an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen, you have a different process to go through. First, the U.S. citizen must file form I-130 and it must be approved by USCIS. When USCIS approves of the petition, you must wait until they notify you that you are eligible to apply for a visa. When a visa is available, it will be issued to you. Once you have your visa, you can travel with it and you will become a U.S. permanent resident when you enter the U.S. If you fail to apply for a visa within one year after the Department of State has told you that you are eligible, your petition could be terminated. This entire process is known as consular processing.

Some conditions make it difficult for you to apply for a visa or green card through an immediate relative. In immigration, good timing makes all the difference. If you are applying as a child of a U.S. citizen, you must apply before you reach the age of 21. Once you pass that age, you will be moved into a different visa preference category that will make it more difficult to apply through a U.S. citizen parent. A visa may not be available to you immediately, and this will cause a delay in adjusting your status or processing your request for a green card. So, it’s important to begin the visa application process as early as possible.
On the same note, sometimes it is possible for a person to pass the age of 21 and still legally be called a “child”. Under the Child Status Protection Act, it is possible that USCIS will determine your age based on the date your parent files the I-130 for you. For example, if a parent files the form while the child is 20 years old, it may be possible to request that the child’s age be determined by that date.

Another factor that will make the immigration process lengthier and sometimes impossible is marriage. If you are under the age of 21, applying for a green card through a U.S. citizen parent, and married, then you no longer fall in the category of “immediate relative”. This means that your status will change from top priority for a visa to third priority, and a visa will not be available for you right away. It is important to keep USCIS updated on any change in your marital status after the I-130 has been filed and before you receive a visa or permanent status.

Finally, some situations we have come across specifically include:

A spouse has entered the U.S. with a different type of visa (sometimes a student visa or visitor’s visa)

The spouse of family member’s visa has expired and they are seeking a change in status or to apply for a green card through an immediate relative

Green card renewal – you can renew your green card whether it is expired or not. Past criminal convictions will affect your chances for obtaining a renewal.

If you have any questions about applying for a visa or green card through an immediate relative, please contact Immigration Attorney Phillip Kim.

ByImmigration News
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Illegal immigration hot topic at debate

Candidates running for South Carolinas 3rd Congressional District seat Thursday proposed eliminating incentives, stepping up border patrol and withdrawing U.S. citizenship from babies born to noncitizen parents as ways to halt illegal immigration.

ByImmigration News
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DOJ Challenges Sex Offender’s Effort to Renounce Citizenship

James Kaufman, a registered sex offender who is locked up in state prison in Wisconsin, has been trying for six years to renounce his citizenship, arguing that he is entitled to do so inside the United States during a state of war. But the Justice Department has fought Kaufman’s effort to shed his citizenship while still in the country. And now that fight has gone to the D.C. Circuit, where the …

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Testimonials


"My family member recommended Attorney Phillip Kim. My whole experience with Attorney Kim's office was pleasant. Attorney Kim was thorough in preparing my case and assured me answering all of my questions throughout the process. I got my Green Card in a little over 3 months from filing and the entire process took less than one year. I would definitely recommend Attorney Phillip Kim to anyone who wants to fix their immigration status." Gina & Edgar from the Central Valley

"Amazing service. Great communication. My case was approved a little over three months. I have been recommending Mr. Kim to my family and friends." Alexa & Abraham from the Central Valley
"I am a DENTIST busy managing two offices and hired Attorney Kim recently. Alex Denes, DDS, PhD. Mr. Phillip Kim is a very knowledgeable and efficient immigration attorney. I was extremely pleased on how he handled the immigration of my father-in-law. His office staff is courteous and always returned my calls and email inquiries in a timely fashion. His Fresno office is very clean and he has extremely good knowledge of the US immigration law. I felt very safe having him handle our case. I am confident that you will not benefit of the same level of professionalism elsewhere. I am a busy professional, dentist with 2 offices and time and efficiency matters more. All that said, I found his fees to be extremely reasonable relative to the kind of service that he provides. I congratulate him on his knowledge and dedication as well as I congratulate his office staff for their professionalism. Dr. Alex Denes, DDS, PhD."
“I am a REGISTERED NURSE and My father just went through very lengthy difficult deportation proceedings. We hired our first lawyer, who lost our case. That’s when we hired Attorney Kim, who appealed and took our case to San Francisco Immigration Court. He attended our hearings in Court and finally won our case. My father now has a Green Card. If you have a Deportation Case or are about to be deported, please call me. I will tell you how Attorney Kim helped my father with his Deportation case. My Cell # is (559) 802-7124.” – by Nalleli Medina, RN; Tulare, CA.
"I am an ENGINEER. Attorney Kim helped me and my wife realize our American dream of staying together in the US by getting my wife a Green Card. It took less than three months. Please call my cell. (559) 978-9497 or home at (559) 297-4040. I will tell you more about Attorney Kim's practice." - by Leo HISUGAN & Marites HISUGAN; Fresno, CA.
“My green card application was denied. Attorney Kim appealed for me and attended the interview with me. It was approved at the interview. Please call me if you want to ask me about Attorney Kim’s work. (209) 534-7112.” – by Molly Harrington; Los Angeles, CA"
“I am a REGISTERED NURSE. We got our Green Card approved in less than three months. Everything went very well smoothly. Thank You. We highly recommend Attorney Kim. Please call us at (559) 475-0155. We will tell you more about our experience with Attorney Kim’s firm.” – by Raul TABADA, RN and Family; Fresno, CA.

 

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Testimonials

"I am a DENTIST busy managing two offices and hired Attorney Kim recently. Alex Denes, DDS, PhD. Mr. Phillip Kim is a very knowledgeable and efficient immigration attorney. I was extremely pleased on how he handled the immigration of my father-in-law. His office staff is courteous and always returned my calls and email inquiries in a timely fashion. His Fresno office is very clean and he has extremely good knowledge of the US immigration law. I felt very safe having him handle our case. I am confident that you will not benefit of the same level of professionalism elsewhere. I am a busy professional, dentist with 2 offices and time and efficiency matters more. All that said, I found his fees to be extremely reasonable relative to the kind of service that he provides. I congratulate him on his knowledge and dedication as well as I congratulate his office staff for their professionalism. Dr. Alex Denes, DDS, PhD."
“I am a REGISTERED NURSE and My father just went through very lengthy difficult deportation proceedings. We hired our first lawyer, who lost our case. That’s when we hired Attorney Kim, who appealed and took our case to San Francisco Immigration Court. He attended our hearings in Court and finally won our case. My father now has a Green Card. If you have a Deportation Case or are about to be deported, please call me. I will tell you how Attorney Kim helped my father with his Deportation case. My Cell # is (559) 802-7124.” – by Nalleli Medina, RN; Tulare, CA.
"Attorney Kim helped me and my wife realize our American dream of staying together in the US by getting my wife a Green Card. It took less than three months. Please call my cell. (559) 978-9497 or home at (559) 297-4040. I will tell you more about Attorney Kim's practice." - by Leo HISUGAN & Marites HISUGAN; Fresno, CA.
“My green card application was denied. Attorney Kim appealed for me and attended the interview with me. It was approved at the interview. Please call me if you want to ask me about Attorney Kim’s work. (209) 534-7112.” – by Molly Harrington; Los Angeles, CA"
“We got our Green Card approved in less than three months. Everything went very well smoothly. Thank You. We highly recommend Attorney Kim. Please call us at (559) 475-0155. We will tell you more about our experience with Attorney Kim’s firm.” – by Raul TABADA and Family; Fresno, CA.
“I hired two other lawyers before Mr. Kim. They could not do it. It was denied. Finally, my third attorney, Mr. Kim helped me to get my green card even after my husband died. Please call me at (559) 283-5636. (ask for Reagan). We will tell you more about how Mr. Kim helped us.” – by Sochinda Nguon & Reagan; Fresno, CA"

 

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