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Showing posts from January, 2009

10 Things to Remember When Crossing the Border

A customs and border protection officer who I see routinely on my trips into the US (he reads my blog) handed me a little flyer which he told me he gives to some individuals to read during the questioning process. The list is quite practical and I think it is a good idea as it helps level the understanding playing field a little and eases the tension people typically feel when they're being questioned about their intended travel. Tell the truth. If you try to use false or misleading information to get into the U.S., you will be turned back. You may be kept out of the U.S. for a long time. You may even be charged with a crime. Understand the officer's role. U.S. customs and border protection officer have to judge several things: Do you pose a safety threat? Are you someone that U.S. law lets in? Are you someone that U.S. law keeps out? To do this, the officers ask questions and look at documents. They usually ask your citizenship, destination, intended activity and length...

Every Wednesday: Live Attorney Chat!

US attorney Laurel Scott (of Scott and Associates ) has been providing a live chat on her site for the past view months. She specializes in the I-601 hardship waiver but seems to answer all immigration/waiver related questions including those around the Canadian application (I-192) for the waiver I-194. The chat session is held every Wednesday at 11am (central time) at the following website: Scott and Associates chat room. The chat sessions are anonymous . Archives of her previous chat sessions can be found here: Laurel Scott chat logs. For legal advice and representation on obtaining an I-194 waiver of inadmissibility Laurel recommends attorney Daniel E. Green. His website and contact information are here: Hudson Valley Immigration Law.

U.S. biometric expansion?

First: Happy New Year! Second: I stumbled upon this news clip... The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced in mid-December that it is expanding the categories of non-U.S. citizens required to provide digital fingerprints and a photograph upon entry to the United States. Additional non-U.S. citizens required to provide biometrics include: Lawful permanent residents of the United States (LPRs); Persons entering the United States who seek admission on immigrant visas; and Canadian citizens who are currently required to obtain a Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Document upon entry or require a waiver of inadmissibility to enter the United States. Linking a person’s biometric information to his or her travel documents reduces the risk that a traveler’s identity or documents could be intentionally misused by someone attempting to gain entry into the United States, DHS said in a statement. Biometric collection requirements apply to most non-U.S. citizens, with limited exemptions, e...