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
Are you eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship?
For those who are eligible, citizenship provides benefits that lawful permanent residence does not. For example, citizens can file family visa petitions for parents and siblings, can obtain family visas for their spouses and children more quickly than residents, can vote in federal, state, and local elections, and are provided additional protection from removal (deportation).
Obama Immigration Plan: How do I Prepare?
President Obama announced deferred action for parents of U.S. citizens or Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs). There is no official form to apply yet, but you can take steps to prepare.
What are the next steps to becoming a resident after your I-130 petition has been approved?
The first step in becoming a resident through an immediate family member is filing and receiving approval on Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, which was discussed in a previous blog post (click here to read).
Once approved, there are several ways for the beneficiary (the person who wants to become a resident) to become a Legal Permanent Resident (Green-card holder).