Robert F. Jacobs & Associates, PLC, Legal Blog
Can I get a U.S. green card if I have a criminal record?
A criminal record can impact your ability to gain entry into the U.S. on a green card. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) agency has strict rules on who gets into the country and negatively considers people with criminal records. The agency...
I’ve been charged with DUI. Should I consider a plea deal?
If you are charged and convicted of drunk driving in California, you will face a range of legal and personal consequences. Fortunately, you can avoid the repercussions that come with a guilty verdict by working out a plea deal with the prosecution. A plea deal is an...
A healthy economy needs immigrants
There's no denying that immigrants play a vital role in our economy. From agriculture to finance, businesses across the country rely on foreign-born workers to keep things running smoothly. And while the current debate over immigration reform can be heated at times,...
The goal of a green card marriage interview
If you get married, and your spouse is a citizen but you are not, you may be able to use that marital status to get a green card. One of the reasons that the U.S. government gives out green cards is to allow married couples to stay together when one of them originally...
How can you beat a DUI?
Criminal convictions can count against you in immigration matters. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can (and does) appeal to courts to deport people or refuse them visas or citizenship due to their criminal history. While you might not...
How do you know if you’re eligible for The U Visa?
The purpose of the U visa is to help victims of a particular set of crimes that have suffered physical or mental abuse and have worked with US law enforcement to help bring the perpetrator(s) of the crime to justice. The U visa was introduced with the passing of the...
Can convictions for “domestic” offenses lead to deportation?
Once you have earned the right to be in the U.S. legally, you want to avoid doing anything that results in criminal charges. If convicted of certain offenses, deportation is sometimes among the penalties non-U.S. citizens face. Government agencies generally take a...
Do you have to talk to American police officers?
The Bill of Rights, which encompasses the first 10 amendments in the U. S. Constitution provides some very specific rights to people in this country. The Fifth Amendment provides people with a right to remain silent in order to avoid self-incrimination. If you’ve...
3 ways to get a green card as an international student
As an undergrad/graduate student, you’ve enjoyed attending college in the United States. You probably love this country so much that you want to stay longer once you’ve finished your studies. Unfortunately, international students are at F1-visa status, meaning they...
What is green card abandonment?
The U.S. green card is, without a doubt, one of the most coveted documents the world over. While becoming a U.S. citizen is usually the ultimate goal, a green card offers plenty of benefits such as the right to live and work anywhere in the United States. However, the...