Immigration Blog

Monthly Archives from November 2014

Learn about Immigration Processing Times

Processing times can fluctuate significantly and it is good for foreign nationals to check on these from time to time to better plan for their futures.   Follow these links to access current processing times of the USCIS Service Centers, the Department of Labor and/or the Department of State’s latest Visa Bulletin with the most recent cut-off dates for visa numbers: – USCIS Service Center processing times online – Department of Labor processing times and information […]

Continue Reading

The Future of Immigration Reform

With the 2016 elections focused on national issues, our elected officials and candidates should have an incentive to work to enact immigration reform for the betterment and competitiveness of our country.  The President has indicated that he might take Executive Action  but has not offered details on what that might be.  It is expected that he might expand Deferred Action.  Republican leaders have acknowledged that they will work to enact bipartisan bills.  One item remains clear […]

Continue Reading

USCIS Launches myE-Verify for Employees

myE-Verify is described as a “one-stop shop” for employees to open and manage a personal account giving them access to employment-related identity protection services. It is currently equipped with these services: 1) myE-Verify accounts – a free personal account to manage use of one’s information in E-Verify and Self Check; 2) Self Lock – allows individuals to place a “lock” on their social security number (SSN) to help prevent unauthorized use of their SSN by […]

Continue Reading

Unique Knowledge of Traditions and Cultures Supports L-1B Approval

In Fogo De Chao  v. DHS, the Appellate Court reversed the USCIS’ decision to deny an L-1B petition and held that the knowledge a person gains as a result of his or her upbringing, family, community traditions and native culture can be considered “specialized knowledge” in determining whether a person qualifies for L-1B status.  In this case, the employer, Fogo, filed a petition on behalf of a Brazilian churrasquero, a restaurant employee with specialized knowledge in Brazilian […]

Continue Reading

Marks Gray Named "Best Law Firm" and Five Attorneys Named "Best Lawyers"

(JACKSONVILLE, FLA: November 5, 2014) Marks Gray, P.A. proudly announces that U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers have included the firm in the 2015 “Best Law Firms” rankings. Marks Gray, P.A. also achieved rankings in 7 practice areas: Banking & Finance Law, Employment Law- Management and Individual, Medical Malpractice Law-Defendant, Personal Injury Litigation-Defendant , Product Liability Litigation- Defendant and Real Estate Law. Firms included in the 2015 “Best Law Firms” list are recognized […]

Continue Reading

Alison A. Hofheimer joins Marks Gray, P.A.

(JACKSONVILLE, FLA: November 3, 2014) Marks Gray, P.A. is pleased to announce that Alison A. Hofheimer has joined the firm as an associate. Ms. Hofheimer joins the firm after receiving her Juris Doctorate from Florida State University College of Law in May, 2014. During law school, she was a 2014 Recipient of the Dean’s Cup Award, 2014 Recipient of the Seminole Student Leader Award and a Senior Member of the Law Review. Her article titled, […]

Continue Reading