July 30, 2007 by Bradley Maged.

According to a Forbes.com article:  “the nation’s growing number of foreign-born residents are keeping the bottom from falling out. And amid slow demand from an aging and slow-growing native population, immigrants are fueling predictions of a rebound.”

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July 30, 2007 by Bradley Maged.

Changing their minds yet again, decision-makers at the USCIS rescinded the update dated July 23, 2007 that discontinued the use of “prepaid mailers.” In its newest update, the agency is allowing filers to enclose “prepaid mailers.”

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July 30, 2007 by Bradley Maged.

The USCIS just released an update regarding the fee increase for electronic filings.   Forms I-765 and I-131 may not be filed electronically as of today.  I-140 Petitions may still be filed electronically.  The new filing fee of $475 will be charged to a credit card or bank account.

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July 30, 2007 by Bradley Maged.

Just another reminder that the USCIS filing fees increase today.  However, until August 17, 2007, EB I-485 applications filed pursuant to the July 2007 visa bulletin must include the old application and fingerprint fees.  If an I-140 Petition is filed concurrently with an I-485 application, the I-140 must include the new fee and the I-485 and  interim benefit applications must include the old fees.  Packages submitted with the incorrect filing fees will be returned and may  result in the applicant being unable to refile for some time.  Please see the link to the new filing fees to the left.

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July 30, 2007 by Bradley Maged.

I recently had the pleasure of attending my first gay wedding. It was as meaningful and special as any of the other weddings I have been to.  Families and close friends of the couple were gathered, vows were exchanged before a minister, and warm-hearted toasts were made by family members.

Despite the fact that same-sex marriage is recognized in Massachusetts, same-sex US Citizens cannot petition for permanent residence for their foreign-born spouses.  Most presidential candidates who I have heard oppose gay marriage would favor civil unions as an alternative.  Supposedly, this would give partners united in civil unions the same legal rights and obligations as married couples. Would this include the right to sponsor one’s foreign-born civilly united same-sex partner?  I have not heard anyone address this issue.
It’s about time that we progress to the level of Canada and many European countries that freely allow same-sex couples to marry and to reap the same benefits enjoyed by “traditional” married couples.

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