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

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

El DACA será anulado! Favor de leer respuestas a las preguntas más frecuentes.
Lesley Irizarry-Hougan Lesley Irizarry-Hougan

El DACA será anulado! Favor de leer respuestas a las preguntas más frecuentes.

El 5 de Septiembre del 2017, el presidente anuncia la emisión de un memorandum oficial que anulará la existencia del DACA.

Por favor, consulte con un abogado experimentado en inmigración si es que usted actualmente tiene el status del DACA, para que así, se pueda evaluar otras posibilidades de conseguir un status permanente de inmigración, especialmente si usted está casado con un ciudadano Americano o un Residente Permanente, o si ha sido víctima de un crimen dentro de los EE.UU, o si es que usted es menor de 21 años...

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DACA is Ending. Read Responses to Frequently Asked Questions.
Lesley Irizarry-Hougan Lesley Irizarry-Hougan

DACA is Ending. Read Responses to Frequently Asked Questions.

The President’s announcement on September 5, 2017, and issuance of an official memo, will end DACA.

Please consult with an experienced immigration lawyer if you currently have DACA status. The lawyer will explore if you might be able to get permanent immigration status through another way, especially if you are married to a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident, have been the victim of a crime inside the U.S., or are under 21 years old...

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Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) has Expanded!
DACA Lesley Irizarry-Hougan DACA Lesley Irizarry-Hougan

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) has Expanded!

On November 20, 2014, President Obama announced several important changes to the program known as “DACA” (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). These changes expand eligibility for the program. If your application is approved, you will be granted “deferred action” for three years, which means the government will not take action to remove you from the United States, and you will be given a work permit. “DACA” is not permanent residency, nor is it a path to permanent residency, and it does not give an individual permission to travel outside of the United States and then reenter.

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Plan de Inmigración de Obama: ¿Cómo debo prepararme?
DACA, Immigration Lawyer, Types of relief, Seattle abogado Lesley Irizarry-Hougan DACA, Immigration Lawyer, Types of relief, Seattle abogado Lesley Irizarry-Hougan

Plan de Inmigración de Obama: ¿Cómo debo prepararme?

La orden ejecutiva de Obama ofrece papeles y permiso de trabajo para padres indocumentados de ciudadanos Estadounidenses o residentes legales (afectando hasta 4 millones de personas), siempre y cuando haya vivido en los Estados Unidos por los pasados 5 años o más.  

Todavía no hay una forma oficial para aplicar, pero usted puede estar preparado por...

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Las Renovaciones de Acción Diferida de la Infancia Llegadas (DACA)
Types of relief, Immigration Lawyer, DACA Lesley Irizarry-Hougan Types of relief, Immigration Lawyer, DACA Lesley Irizarry-Hougan

Las Renovaciones de Acción Diferida de la Infancia Llegadas (DACA)

Si su primera petición de dos años de acción diferida de la Infancia Llegadas (DACA) está a punto de caducar, puede solicitar la renovación de su documento de autorización de empleo (EAD).  Con el fin de asegurarse de que su EAD no caduque antes de que la nueva sea aprobada, usted debe presentar su solicitud de renovación 120 días (4 meses) antes de que su período de acción diferida caduque.

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Renewals of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
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Renewals of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

If your initial two-year grant of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is expiring, then you may request a renewal of your employment authorization document (EAD). In order to make sure that your EAD does not expire before the new one is approved, you should submit your renewal request about 120 days (4 months) before your current period of deferred action will expire.

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Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Renewal
Types of relief Lesley Irizarry-Hougan Types of relief Lesley Irizarry-Hougan

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Renewal

In a previous blog post, we explained what Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is, and who qualifies. Recently, USCIS announced that it is beginning the renewal process for certain types of DACA recipients (only those granted DACA through by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from June 15, 2012 to August 15, 2012.) However, USCIS also has given guidelines for what to expect for all other DACA recipients to renew and receive a work permit for another two years.

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What is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)?
Types of relief Lesley Irizarry-Hougan Types of relief Lesley Irizarry-Hougan

What is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)?

Immigration reform has been a hotly debated political topic for years now. It seemed inevitable just a couple of years ago that immigration reform would happen, granting new alternatives for people living in the U.S. without proper status. Although immigration reform may eventually happen, (see article) the Obama administration has offered short-term relief to certain people who arrived to the U.S. under the age of 16.

This program, known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), began on August 15, 2012. While it does not offer permanent lawful status, it does grant a two-year work permit. 

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