USCIS, Dec. 13, 2019 "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual on unlawful acts during the applicable statutory period that reflect adversely on moral character and may prevent an... Read More
USCIS, Dec. 10, 2019 "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding how post-sentencing changes to criminal sentences impact convictions for immigration purposes and how two or... Read More
Laura Snapes, The Guardian, Nov. 11, 2019 " Neil Young is facing a delay in his application for US citizenship after honestly answering a question about his marijuana use. In a letter to fans posted on his website , the Canadian songwriter said... Read More
Matter of Castillo-Perez, 27 I&N Dec. 664 (A.G. 2019) (1) The Immigration and Nationality Act’s “good moral character” standard requires adherence to the generally accepted moral conventions of the community, and criminal activity... Read More
Matter of Castillo-Perez, 27 I&N Dec. 495 (A.G. 2018) Pursuant to 8 C.F.R. § 1003.1(h)(1)(i), I direct the Board of Immigration Appeals (“Board”) to refer this case to me for review of its decision. The Board’s decision in... Read More
Ledezma-Cosino v. Lynch, Mar. 24, 2016 - "We hold that, under the Equal Protection Clause, a person’s medical disability lacks any rational relation to his classification as a person with bad moral character, and that § 1101(f)(1) is therefore... Read More
"A nearly five-year legal saga will conclude Thursday for Falls Church resident Jamal Abusamhadaneh when he takes the oath of citizenship at a federal courthouse, after a federal judge ruled that immigration authorities wrongly drew sinister conclusions... Read More
"Kenyan native John Chombo was studying in the United States to become a nurse when he heard the U.S. Army was looking for people with health care or special language skills. He was qualified on both counts. He was studying nursing and was fluent... Read More
"Justin Bieber's recent arrest in Miami has left many of his young fans disappointed, but they aren't the only one's concerned with the pop star's "good moral character". Bieber, a Canadian, is reportedly in the U.S. on... Read More
" In order to qualify for naturalization, an applicant must demonstrate that she is or was a person of good moral character (GMC) throughout the relevant statutory period and through the time she takes the oath of allegiance. See Immigration and... Read More
Ledezma-Cosino v. Lynch, Oct. 12, 2016 - "Upon the vote of a majority of nonrecused active judges, it is ordered that this case be reheard en banc pursuant to Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 35(a) and Circuit Rule 35-3. The three-judge panel... Read More
Wang v. Rodriguez, July 27, 2016 - "Lifeng Wang, a lawful permanent resident, was convicted of one count of trafficking in counterfeit goods in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2320(a). Based on that conviction, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services... Read More
"Last night, Mr. J.A. slept soundly for the first time in more than four years. On June 5, 2012, Judge James C. Cacheris of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia issued a 90-page decision finding Mr. J.A. to be a person... Read More
"Reviewing the BIA's opinion, it is unclear why the BIA upheld the IJ's finding that Flores did not suffer past persecution. ... Remand is also necessary because if the BIA is upholding the IJ's apparent adoption of a blanket rule that... Read More
Matter of Gomez-Beltran, 26 I&N Dec. 765 (BIA 2016) - "An alien cannot establish good moral character under section 101(f)(6) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1101(f)(6) (2012), if, during the period for which it is required... Read More