Our Blog | Goldstein Immigration Lawyers

When I go to Immigration Court in Boston, my goal is to protect my clients from deportation. I work hard to explore all options, to come up with a winning strategy and to prepare my cases in a way that ensures success. Of course, I want my clients to come away with a green card. But the sad reality is that for some people who must appear in Immigration Court, the facts of their particular cases render them ineligible for any relief from deportation. For such cases, there is simply no way under the current immigration laws to prevent deportation. And, when faced with limited options, many lawyers routinely ask the Immigration Judge for an order of voluntary departure. READ MORE

Jun 27 2009

Boston Immigration Court AILA Liaison

Deportation, Immigration Court Boston

I'm proud to announce that I've been re-appointed as a liaison to Boston's Immigration Court for the American Immigration Lawyers Association ("AILA") - New England Chapter. As a member of the Liaison Committee to the Executive Office of Immigration Review, I look forward to assisting my esteemed colleagues. In Boston, immigration lawyers and the Immigration Court have a tradition of warm relationship, for which we can thank the leadership of Court's Administrator Robert Halpin. As a liaison, I'm happy to be able make a small contribution to this on-going comity. READ MORE

Jun 26 2009

Boston Immirgation Court will be closed the first week of August

Immigration Bond, Immigration Court Boston, Immigration News Boston

The Immigration Court in Boston, Massachusetts will be closed August 3 - 7, 2009 while the Immigration Judges attend a conference. While the Court is closed, no hearings will be conducted, except emergency bonds, which will be heard telephonically by Immigration Judges who are not Boston Immigration Judges. The Immigration Court is in the process of rescheduling all hearings scheduled for that week. Although the Immigration Court will be closed, I'll be hard at work. If you need the help of an immigration lawyer, call me at (617) 722-0005 and come see me in my Boston immigration law office. READ MORE

Jun 25 2009

How to win or lose in Immigration Court

Deportation, Green card, Immigration Court Boston, Immigration Tips

If you are facing deportation or removal from the United States and have a hearing in Immigration Court in Boston or elsewhere, your fate is in the hands of an Immigration Judge who will weigh the evidence and reach a decision. Immigration lawyers refer to this process as the Court's or the Judge's discretion. People often underestimate the power of an Immigration Judge's discretion. So I'd like to give you three specific examples of how Immigration Judges have the discretion to decide deportation cases: READ MORE

Jun 23 2009

Cubans No Longer Get Green Cards in Immigration Court

Cuban Adjustment Act, Deportation, Removal

A recent decision by the Board of Immigration Appeals changes the immigration process for Cubans seeking permanent residency in the United States. Pursuant to the Cuban Refugee Adjustment Act of 1966, Cuban nationals who appear at U.S. border posts seeking admission are generally paroled into the United States as "Cuban asylees." After entry into the U.S., Cubans can immediately apply for work permits. Then, one year after living in the U.S., Cuban nationals can file I-485 applications to adjust their status to obtain their green cards. Although Cubans who are paroled into the U.S. have a clear path to permanent residency (getting a green card), they are placed into the deportation proceedings and, therefore, must appear before an Immigration Judge in Immigration Court. READ MORE

Jun 22 2009

The K3 Visa is a Waste of Time and Money

Consular Processing, Immigration Tips, Marriage-Based Immigration

The K3 visa and the K-4 visa are completely useless, particularly for Massachusetts residents. I say this with confidence as an immigration lawyer in Boston with extensive experience in marriage-based immigration. I've prepared countless green card cases at consular posts around the world. To explain why I believe filing a K-3 or a K-4 visa is a waste of time and money, let me first provide some background information on the K-3 and K-4 visas. The K-3 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows the spouse of a U.S. citizen to enter the U.S. while an immigration petition (Form I-130) is pending with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS; the immigration agency formerly known as the INS). The I-130 is a petition that U.S. citizens with foreign spouses must have approved in order for their foreign spouse to be eligible for an immigrant visa in the United States. The K-4 visa is available for the children (unmarried and under 21) of a K-3 visa holder. Ideally, a U.S. citizen would submit the I-130, get the receipt notice shortly thereafter, and then apply for a K-3 and/or K-4 visa so the non-american citizen spouse and/or children could reside in the U.S. while the I-130 is pending. READ MORE

Apr 22 2009

Tips on Naturalization / Citizenship from Boston AILA Conference

Citizenship, Immigration Tips, Naturalization

In Boston, Massachusetts, I recently spoke at the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Conference on Immigration Law. The topic was citizenship and naturalization. Several immigration lawyers from Massachusetts have sent me follow up questions. In response, here are a few tips that will help you successfully handle an application for naturalization, N-400. READ MORE

Apr 17 2009

Stopping deportation in Massachusetts just got more expensive

Deportation, Immigration Bond, Immigration Court Boston

Boston area residents with final orders of deportation may request a stay of removal with U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) by filing Form I-246 at its Burlington, Massachusetts immigration office. In the past, there had been no filing fee for this immigration application. But, apparently, the free ride is over. Effective immediately, a filing fee of $155 must be paid with Form I-246 in cash, money order or cashier's check (no personal checks). READ MORE

Apr 16 2009

Just got your Green Card? Some tips from a Boston immigration lawyer.

Citizenship, Green card, immigration consequences of criminal convictions, Immigration Tips

On behalf of the lawyers in my Boston immigration office, I say congratulations! You just got your green card and are now a lawful permanent resident of the United States! Below are some general tips to avoid future immigration problems and continue on a smooth path towards citizenship. I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residency--Get Ready! If you have a two-year green card (i.e., conditional residency based on marriage), remember that 90 days before the expiration of your green card, you and your spouse, together, will need to file a petition to remove the conditions on your permanent residency. This petition is called an I-751. In order to get your I-751 petition approved, USCIS will expect you to submit extensive documentation to show that the underlying relationship between you and your spouse has been on-going since your I-485 was approved and that you continue to share your lives together. READ MORE

Apr 15 2009

Immigration and Taxes

immigration and taxes

On tax day, some thoughts on immigration consequences of tax issues. READ MORE

Why I usually don’t recommend Voluntary Departure