Seattle Immigration Law Updates & Resources

Expert Guidance from Attorney Lesley Irizarry-Hougan

Get clear answers about citizenship, green cards, asylum, VAWA, and family immigration from Seattle attorney Lesley Irizarry-Hougan. Latest USCIS policy updates, step-by-step guides, Know Your Rights resources, and immigration news in English and Spanish. 20+ years of experience helping Seattle's immigrant community.

Essential Immigration Resources

Know Your Rights:
A Comprehensive Guide for Immigrants Encountering ICE

Master
the 2025 USCIS Civics Test

Cómo Verificar el Estatus de una Solicitud o Caso de Inmigración Pendiente

Two Immigrant Visa Bans Now in Effect: What You Need to Know

Two Immigrant Visa Bans Now in Effect: What You Need to Know

Two separate immigrant visa bans are now affecting families worldwide. Seattle immigration attorney Lesley Irizarry-Hougan explains the December Presidential Proclamation and January State Department pause—what they mean for your case and what you should do now.

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USCIS Cambia la Política de Reutilización de Fotos Biométricas - Nueva Regla de 36 Meses (Efectiva Inmediatamente)
Immigration Policy Update Lesley Irizarry-Hougan Immigration Policy Update Lesley Irizarry-Hougan

USCIS Cambia la Política de Reutilización de Fotos Biométricas - Nueva Regla de 36 Meses (Efectiva Inmediatamente)

La Alerta de Política PA-2025-29 de USCIS cambia los requisitos de reutilización de fotos biométricas con vigencia desde el 12 de diciembre de 2025. La nueva regla de 36 meses significa que si su última cita biométrica fue hace más de 3 años, necesitará una nueva cita para extensiones de permiso de trabajo, renovaciones de tarjeta verde y otros beneficios de inmigración. Abogada de inmigración en Seattle explica qué significa esto para su caso y cómo planificar con anticipación.

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Biometrics Reuse Policy: New 36-Month Rule
Lesley Irizarry-Hougan Lesley Irizarry-Hougan

Biometrics Reuse Policy: New 36-Month Rule

USCIS Policy Alert PA-2025-29 changes biometrics photo reuse requirements effective December 12, 2025. The new 36-month rule means if your last biometrics appointment was over 3 years ago, you'll need a new appointment for work permit extensions, green card renewals, and other immigration benefits. Seattle immigration attorney explains what this means for your case and how to plan ahead

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Conozca Sus Derechos: Guía Completa para Inmigrantes ante ICE

Conozca Sus Derechos: Guía Completa para Inmigrantes ante ICE

Aprenda qué hacer si ICE viene a su casa, trabajo o lo detiene en público. La abogada de inmigración de Seattle, Lesley Irizarry-Hougan, comparte información esencial de su reciente taller Conozca Sus Derechos, incluyendo cómo protegerse, qué documentos mantener y cuándo necesita un abogado. Todos tienen derechos constitucionales sin importar su estatus migratorio.

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Know Your Rights: A Comprehensive Guide for Immigrants Encountering ICE
Lesley Irizarry-Hougan Lesley Irizarry-Hougan

Know Your Rights: A Comprehensive Guide for Immigrants Encountering ICE

Learn what to do if ICE comes to your home, workplace, or stops you in public. Seattle immigration attorney Lesley Irizarry-Hougan shares essential information from her recent Know Your Rights workshop, including how to protect yourself, what documents to keep, and when you need a lawyer. Everyone has constitutional rights regardless of immigration status.

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What Happens to Immigration Cases During a Government Shutdown?
Lesley Irizarry-Hougan Lesley Irizarry-Hougan

What Happens to Immigration Cases During a Government Shutdown?

When the federal government faces a shutdown, many immigrants worry about pending immigration cases. Learn what continues, what pauses, and what you should do. USCIS processing typically continues, detained cases move forward, but court hearings may be affected.

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Cómo verificar el estatus de una solicitud o caso de inmigración pendiente
Lesley Irizarry-Hougan Lesley Irizarry-Hougan

Cómo verificar el estatus de una solicitud o caso de inmigración pendiente

Si ha presentado una solicitud de inmigración y desea verificar el estatus de su aplicación o aproximadamente cuánto tiempo tomará, hay varias herramientas que puede usar. Estas herramientas son solo estimados y no siempre reflejan lo que actualmente pasara.

Si tiene un abogado que presentó su solicitud de inmigración, póngase en contacto con su abogado para obtener el estatus, no se comunique con las agencias directamente sin el conocimiento de su abogado…

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L.I.H. Law Featured on FOX 13 Seattle: Standing Up for Immigrant Rights
Lesley Irizarry-Hougan Lesley Irizarry-Hougan

L.I.H. Law Featured on FOX 13 Seattle: Standing Up for Immigrant Rights

Seattle immigration attorney Lesley Irizarry-Hougan from L.I.H. Law was featured on FOX 13 Seattle discussing alarming new ICE enforcement tactics targeting immigrant families in the Puget Sound region. With over 20 years of immigration law experience, Attorney Irizarry-Hougan provided expert analysis on unprecedented text message summons being sent to immigrants for unscheduled weekend ICE check-ins in Tukwila, WA. The bilingual immigration lawyer, who serves asylum seekers, DACA recipients, and families pursuing green cards and citizenship, highlighted how these fear-based tactics are disrupting immigration compliance and harming vulnerable communities. L.I.H. Law continues to advocate for immigrant rights while providing trusted legal representation for complex immigration cases throughout Washington State.

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Seattle Immigration Attorney Responds to Unprecedented Weekend ICE Check-ins in Tukwila, WA
Lesley Irizarry-Hougan Lesley Irizarry-Hougan

Seattle Immigration Attorney Responds to Unprecedented Weekend ICE Check-ins in Tukwila, WA

Seattle immigration attorney Lesley Irizarry-Hougan responds to unprecedented weekend ICE check-ins in Tukwila that left the immigrant community confused and concerned. With over 20 years of immigration law experience, immigration attorney Irizarry-Hougan represented her client during the unusual Saturday reporting requirements. "I've been a lawyer for 20 years and never had a client called in on Saturday or Sunday," she told NPR. Learn how these unexpected enforcement practices affect Seattle's immigrant community and why experienced legal representation is crucial during uncertain times. Contact L.I.H. Law for trusted immigration legal services in Seattle.

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🚨 EE.UU. CANCELA PAROLE PARA CUBANOS, HAITIANOS, NICARAGÜENSES Y VENEZOLANOS 🚨
Lesley Irizarry-Hougan Lesley Irizarry-Hougan

🚨 EE.UU. CANCELA PAROLE PARA CUBANOS, HAITIANOS, NICARAGÜENSES Y VENEZOLANOS 🚨

Abogada Lesley explica los nuevos cambios en el parole para cubanos, haitianos, nicaragüenses y venezolanos (CHNV). El gobierno de EE.UU. ha anunciado su cancelación inmediata, lo que afecta permisos de viaje, trabajo y la permanencia de los beneficiarios en el país. Llámenos a ver si tienes otras visas o aplicaciones para quedarse legalmente.

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📣 NUEVO REQUISITO DE REGISTRO PARA EXTRANJEROS 📣
Lesley Irizarry-Hougan Lesley Irizarry-Hougan

📣 NUEVO REQUISITO DE REGISTRO PARA EXTRANJEROS 📣

La Abogada Lesley explica el nuevo requisito de registro para extranjeros y las acciones que debe tomar para mantenerse en cumplimiento. ¡Información crucial para proteger su estatus migratorio y evitar complicaciones legales!

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Vote, Vote, Vote
Lesley Irizarry-Hougan Lesley Irizarry-Hougan

Vote, Vote, Vote

Voting is essential in the fight for immigrant rights and for creating a more inclusive future for all. As communities across the nation make their voices heard, it’s crucial to remember that each vote can impact policies that affect immigrant families, opportunities, and justice in our society. Voting isn’t just a civic duty—it’s a way to advocate for meaningful change and to support policies that protect and uplift immigrant communities. Join the movement; let your vote be a step toward unity and progress!

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Obtaining a Work Permit or Authorization to Work in U.S.
Informational, Immigration Lawyer Lesley Irizarry-Hougan Informational, Immigration Lawyer Lesley Irizarry-Hougan

Obtaining a Work Permit or Authorization to Work in U.S.

How can I get a work permit or authorization to work in the U.S.?

Generally, in order to be able to apply for a work permit, you have to have an application pending with immigration that allows a person to apply for work permit while it is pending, or you have some sort of status or visa in the U.S. that allows you to apply for a work permit. You cannot just apply for a work permit to work legally in the U.S. on its own…

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