Wanting to live in California or other parts of the United States as a citizen can be difficult for people who have moved to the U.S. from other countries. Immigration law changes rapidly, and it is not unusual for individuals to face many hurdles as they work through the naturalization process. Some changes to the ways in which immigrants can apply for citizenship may help them complete steps more quickly.
Federal court: People can seek asylum for gang, domestic violence
In June 2018, the Trump administration announced a new "expedited removal" policy which denied people the right to seek asylum based on domestic or gang violence. Now, a federal judge has struck down that policy as being in violation of the Immigration and Naturalization Act, the Administrative Procedure Act and the Refugee Act. He also found that there was no legal basis "for an effective categorical ban on domestic violence and gang-related claims."
How do I get a student visa to study in the United States?
For those wishing to study full-time at a U.S. academic program, there are two visas available: F and M. Both are nonimmigrant visas, and one of the requirements is that you maintain a residence in your home country that you have no intention of giving up. You must also be generally eligible for a U.S. visa.
Diversity lottery winners, others challenge effect of travel ban
Two groups of immigrants are involved in lawsuits challenging the application of President Trump's travel ban. A group of Yemenis and Iranians who won the U.S. diversity lottery but were nevertheless barred from entering the country are suing in Washington, D.C. Here in San Francisco, a group of 36 plaintiffs argues that the waiver process in the travel ban is a sham.
Change in immigration norms drives more citizenship applications
Billy Idol recently became a citizen of the United States. The 63-year-old rock star, originally from England, was sworn in at a Los Angeles ceremony in November. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services tweeted, "it's a nice day for a naturalization ceremony."
