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.
Seattle Immigration Law Updates & Resources
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
¿Qué sucede si presento una solicitud de inmigración (USCIS) que está incompleta o es incorrecta?
If the application you submit to immigration is missing something critical, the entire package will be rejected by immigration returned back to you. Examples of critical missing things are: forms missing, filing fees not included or incorrect amount, package sent to the wrong address, forms missing pages, not including required initial evidence (according to the form instructions) or missing or no signatures.
What happens if I submit an application with immigration (USCIS) that is incomplete or incorrect?
If the application you submit to immigration is missing something critical, the entire package will be rejected by immigration returned back to you. Examples of critical missing things are: forms missing, filing fees not included or incorrect amount, package sent to the wrong address, forms missing pages, not including required initial evidence (according to the form instructions) or missing or no signatures.
What to do if a friend or family member is detained (at the Northwest Detention Center)
This article discusses what to do if a loved one or friend is detained (specifically at the Northwest Detention Center). The articles explores common questions our immigration lawyers at L.I.H. Law receive: "Where is my loved on located?"; "Can he or she get out on bond?"; "Will he or she be able to see a judge?"; "Can I visit my loved one?" and MORE...
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) has Expanded!
On November 20, 2014, President Obama announced several important changes to the program known as “DACA” (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). These changes expand eligibility for the program. If your application is approved, you will be granted “deferred action” for three years, which means the government will not take action to remove you from the United States, and you will be given a work permit. “DACA” is not permanent residency, nor is it a path to permanent residency, and it does not give an individual permission to travel outside of the United States and then reenter.
Plan de Inmigración de Obama: ¿Cómo debo prepararme?
La orden ejecutiva de Obama ofrece papeles y permiso de trabajo para padres indocumentados de ciudadanos Estadounidenses o residentes legales (afectando hasta 4 millones de personas), siempre y cuando haya vivido en los Estados Unidos por los pasados 5 años o más.
Todavía no hay una forma oficial para aplicar, pero usted puede estar preparado por...