Posted on December 15, 2023 in Immigration

A green card grants permanent residency in the United States, but the process of obtaining one can be complex. Even if a person thinks they are eligible, there is always the risk that their application may be denied – often because they committed an act that violates U.S. immigration law. However, even if an application is denied, there are certain circumstances where the applicant can apply for a green card waiver. Given the complexity of this process, it is important to have a qualified Illinois immigration lawyer advocating for you. Otherwise, your green card waiver could also be denied. The following are some of the common reasons why a green card waiver may be denied.

Ineligibility for the Waiver

One of the most common reasons for green card waiver denial is that the immigrant does not meet the eligibility criteria for the waiver. There are different types of waivers available, such as the I-601 waiver for grounds of inadmissibility, the I-751 waiver for the joint filing requirement in cases of divorce or abuse, and others. Each waiver has specific eligibility requirements and conditions. If an immigrant does not meet these requirements, does not provide sufficient evidence, or does not demonstrate a genuine need for the waiver, then the application will likely be denied.

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 Posted on November 28, 2023 in Family Law

The holiday season, traditionally a time for joy, togetherness, and celebration, can be particularly challenging for those who have recently gone through a divorce. The transition from spending holidays with a partner and a shared family to facing them alone or with different arrangements can bring a mix of emotions, including sadness, loneliness, and anxiety. However, with some proactive strategies and a positive mindset, you can navigate this challenging time and find moments of joy and fulfillment.

If you have decided to end your marriage or are trying to work through these legal issues without an attorney, consider contacting our firm to speak to a skilled Illinois divorce lawyer.

Acknowledge Your Feelings and Grieve

It is important to recognize and accept the emotions that arise during the holiday season during or after your divorce. You may experience grief, sadness, anger, and even a sense of loss. These feelings are entirely normal and part of the healing process. Give yourself permission to feel and process your emotions without judgment.

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 Posted on November 22, 2023 in Personal Injury

Drive Safer Sunday is an annual observance held on the Sunday following Thanksgiving in the United States, which falls on November 26 this year. The goal of this initiative is to raise awareness about safe driving practices during one of the year's busiest travel weekends. As families and friends come together to celebrate Thanksgiving, many take to the roads to visit loved ones or embark on holiday shopping trips. Drive Safer Sunday serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety during this time and encourages responsible driving behavior. The following is an overview of this annual initiative. For more detailed information if you have been injured in a crash, contact an Illinois car accident lawyer.

Thanksgiving Weekend Travel

Thanksgiving Day is always observed on the fourth Thursday of November. Traditionally, the holiday turns into an extra-long weekend, beginning on Wednesday evening and ending on Sunday.

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 Posted on November 22, 2023 in Immigration

On November 17th, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the Department of Labor (DOL), announced a temporary rule that will make additional H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas available next year. There will be an additional 64,716 H-2B visas available in 2024 for workers for American businesses that are in dire need of foreign national workers because they cannot keep up with current consumer demand. These industries include landscaping, hospitality, tourism, seafood processing, and other industries that rely on seasonal and temporary employees. If you have questions about this new program or any other immigration issues, contact an Illinois immigration lawyer for help.

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 Posted on November 10, 2023 in Immigration

When COVID-era Title 42 restrictions ended in May, the Biden administration announced new regulations for migrants seeking asylum at the Mexican border. This announcement led to a lawsuit filed by advocacy groups to block the implementation of the regulation. This week, the case made its way to the federal appeals court. Given the unknown of how this lawsuit will be resolved and the complexities of U.S. immigration law, it is critical for anyone seeking asylum to have the legal guidance of an Illinois immigration lawyer.    

Court Case

The regulation makes the assumption that most of those migrants are ineligible for asylum because they failed to ask for protection from any of the other countries they passed through during their migration to the U.S. They are also ineligible if they failed to use legal pathways to enter this country.

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 Posted on November 08, 2023 in Personal Injury

Under Illinois law, an injured party can file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the party who caused the accident or incident that resulted in those injuries. Financial compensation can include economic damages, such as medical expenses and loss of income, and noneconomic damages, including pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and permanent disability. These two types of damages are sometimes referred to as compensatory damages. In some cases, the injured party may also be awarded punitive damages.

Punitive damages are awarded when the jury or judge believes that the at-fault party's conduct was particularly egregious, reckless, or intentional. Unlike compensatory damages, intended to compensate the plaintiff for their actual losses, punitive damages serve a different purpose: to punish the at-fault party and deter similar conduct in the future. An Illinois personal injury lawyer can evaluate your case to determine if punitive damages may be a factor.

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 Posted on November 03, 2023 in Family Law

One of the leading causes of divorce is financial problems. It should come as no surprise that as a couple comes to the decision to end their marriage, they may also be considering filing for bankruptcy. Deciding whether to file for bankruptcy before or after a divorce is a complex and critical decision that can have significant financial and legal implications for both parties involved. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, several factors should be carefully considered before making this decision. An Illinois divorce lawyer familiar with bankruptcy laws can help you with this decision.

Joint vs. Individual Debt

One of the primary factors to consider is the nature of the debt the couple has. If most of the debt is joint, meaning both spouses are responsible for it, filing for bankruptcy before the divorce may be more beneficial. This can help eliminate joint debts, reducing the potential for disputes during the divorce process. However, if most of the debt is in one spouse's name, filing for bankruptcy individually may be a better option to protect the other spouse's credit and assets.

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 Posted on October 26, 2023 in Family Law

Couples getting married often have a long “to-do” list that covers all the things that need to be taken care of before their big day. Today, more and more couples are adding prenuptial agreements to their lists. Years ago, prenups were historically used only by the wealthy, but these days, couples from all different backgrounds appreciate the benefits these contracts provide. The following are some of those benefits. For more details, contact an Illinois family law attorney.

Asset Protection and Division Clarity

One of the most significant benefits of a prenup is asset protection. It allows individuals to safeguard their premarital assets, such as businesses, investments, real estate, and valuable possessions, ensuring they remain their separate property if the couple divorces. This can be particularly crucial for entrepreneurs, business owners, or those with significant inheritances. Without a prenup, these assets might be subject to division during divorce proceedings.

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 Posted on October 25, 2023 in Immigration

The television network TLC has built quite a successful franchise with its reality show, “90 Day Fiancé.” In the series, camera crews follow couples who have applied for or received a K-1 visa and now have just 90 days to get married. While the network has an incredible 18 spinoffs of the original show and despite the entertainment value of those shows, the real reality is that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has stringent rules when it comes to issuing K-1 visas. The following are some of the common reasons why K-1 visas are denied. For more detailed information if you are having issues with your visa application, contact an Illinois immigration lawyer.

Reasons Why USCIS Deny K-1 Visas

The K-1 visa is also referred to as a fiancé(e) visa because it is issued to foreign nationals who are engaged to U.S. citizens and have plans to marry in this country. The following are some of the most common reasons why the visa could be denied:

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 Posted on October 20, 2023 in Personal Injury

Halloween, a holiday celebrated with ghoulish delight and playful mischief, brings forth a dark and sobering statistic that sends shivers down the spines of safety advocates and law enforcement officials alike: an alarming increase in drunk driving accidents. As the streets fill with revelers in scary costumes, the combination of alcohol-fueled parties and spooky festivities becomes a deadly mix. Anyone injured in a crash involving a drunk driver should contact an Illinois personal injury lawyer to find out what legal recourse they may have.

Spike in DUI Crashes

Halloween, traditionally a time for trick-or-treating and costume parties, has evolved into an occasion for adults to indulge in alcohol-infused revelry. This shift in celebration dynamics has contributed significantly to the rise in drunk driving accidents during this holiday. Costume parties, haunted house tours, and bar crawls have become commonplace, leading many to overindulge in alcohol without considering the dire consequences of getting behind the wheel. More than 40 percent of fatal crashes that take place during Halloween involve drunk drivers.

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