Press & Announcements

Press

3 years ago

Ghazi Law Group, APLC
COVID-19 Vaccination Required for Immigration Medical ExaminationsU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced on September 14, 2021, that, effective Oct. 1, 2021, applicants subject to the immigration medical examination must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the civil surgeon can complete an immigration medical examination and sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record."We are updating our policy guidance in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Aug. 17, 2021 update to the Technical Instructions for Civil Surgeons. That update requires applicants subject to the immigration medical examination to complete the COVID-19 vaccine series (one or two doses, depending on the vaccine) and provide documentation of vaccination to the civil surgeon before completion of the immigration medical examination. This requirement is effective Oct. 1, 2021, and applies prospectively to all Forms I-693 signed by the civil surgeons on or after that date. We are working on updating Form I-693 and the form instructions to incorporate this new requirement.In general, individuals applying to become a lawful permanent resident, and other applicants as deemed necessary, must undergo an immigration medical examination to show they are free from any conditions that would render them inadmissible under the health-related grounds. USCIS designates eligible physicians as civil surgeons to perform this immigration medical examination for applicants within the United States and to document the results of the immigration medical examination on the Form I-693.USCIS may grant blanket waivers if the COVID-19 vaccine is:Not age-appropriate;Contraindicated due to a medical condition;Not routinely available where the civil surgeon practices; orLimited in supply and would cause significant delay for the applicant to receive the vaccination.Individuals may also apply for individual waivers based on religious beliefs or moral convictions by submitting Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility." ... See MoreSee Less
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3 years ago

Ghazi Law Group, APLC
DHS Withdraws Proposed Biometrics RuleThe Department of Homeland Security has withdrawn a proposed rule that would have expanded department authorities and requirements for collecting biometrics by removing age restrictions; requiring submission of biometrics for every applicant, petitioner, sponsor, beneficiary, or other individual filing for or associated with any immigration or naturalization benefit or request unless DHS waives or exempts the biometrics requirement; codifying the authority to use DNA test results; and authorizing the use of additional types of biometric modalities.DHS announced its decision to withdraw the proposed rule, originally published on Sept. 11, 2020, in a Federal Register notice. The withdrawal is consistent with the Executive Order 14012, Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans, and additional administration priorities to reduce barriers and undue burdens in the immigration system.DHS will continue to require submission of biometrics where appropriate and remains committed to national security, identity management, fraud prevention and program integrity. ... See MoreSee Less
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Announcements

The 01 Non-Immigrant Visa for Extraordinary Abilities: The Critical Information You Must Know

December 17, 2021

What is the 0-1 Visa? The 0-1 visa is a short-term, non-immigrant employment visa for those with extraordinary abilities. The O-1A visa is for people with an extraordinary ability in…

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Can Your Ex’s Post-Divorce Cohabitation Get You Off the Hook for Alimony in California?

December 3, 2021

Must I Continue Alimony Payments if My Ex Moves in with a Significant Other? When you divorced, you may have been ordered to pay some form of spousal support, commonly…

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The Ins and Outs of California Family Law Attorney Fees

November 23, 2021

You may need a California family attorney for any number of issues such as divorce, child custody and visitation, premarital or postmarital agreements, child support or spousal support. All of…

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How to Get a Green Card Through Consular Processing

November 13, 2021

You can apply for permanent US residency (a green card) either when you are in the United States or in your home country. If you apply while outside the United…

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How to Establish Legal Parentage or Paternity in California

November 3, 2021

California law presumes that when married people or registered domestic partners have a child, the spouses or partners are the child’s parents. There is no need to do anything to…

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The Importance of Family Code Section 4320 Factors Rule to Your Spousal Support Order

October 23, 2021

A California family court will sometimes order spousal support, commonly referred to as alimony, when issuing a divorce order. Though the judge has flexibility in making their decision, they must…

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Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: Quick Green Card for Abused, Neglected or Abandoned Children in California

October 8, 2021

Children who are not citizens and who have been abused, neglected or abandoned are particularly vulnerable. Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) enables them to quickly get a green card giving…

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What You Can Do if Your Spouse is Hiding Income or Assets During Divorce

September 21, 2021

Do you think your spouse has been acting cagey since the two of you have been considering divorce? California is a community property state, which means with some exceptions such…

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Can a Parent Move a Child Against the Other Parent’s Wishes?

August 31, 2021

What you Need to Know about California Move Away Orders When people reach a child custody agreement, they often do not anticipate that one of the parents may want to…

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The Basics of Applying for U.S. Citizenship

June 16, 2020

The path to U.S. citizenship is paved in red tape and fraught with possible missteps. If you take a wrong turn, you may lose your chance to become a U.S.…

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Ghazi Law Group, APLC
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