In the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, the U.S. Government has added many new restrictions on foreigners in the United States, especially on people from countries believed to be state sponsors of terrorism. This Internet page collects selected news items and practical suggestions that may be important for many of my clients.

1. The Homeland Security Bill. On November 25, 2002, President Bush signed the “Homeland Security Act of 2002.” The bill abolished the Immigration and Naturalization Service (“INS”) and created a new Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”). A “Directorate of Border and Transportation Security” (“BTS”) within the DHS will focus on border patrol, detention, removal (deportation), intelligence, investigation, and inspection functions, while a “Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services” (“BCIS”, now called U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or USCIS) will undertake the adjudication of immigrant visas, asylum, refugee matters, naturalization, and any other petitions or applications formerly handled by INS regional service centers. The bill gave the Secretary of Homeland Security the authority to issue regulations and administer and enforce laws relating to the functions of Department of State consular officers in the issuance and refusal of visas. The Executive Office for Immigration Review, however, which includes the Immigration Judges, will remain under the umbrella of the Department of Justice, subject to the direction of Attorney General John Ashcroft.


2. Form AR-11 Change of Address Notices. For 50 years, ever since the Immigration and Nationality Act was enacted in 1952, most foreigners in the United States, including those who have been granted U.S. lawful permanent resident status, have been required to notify the government in writing on Form AR-11 within 10 days of any change of residence. The law has always authorized serious penalties for a failure to comply, including deportation and criminal penalties. In practice, however, the law was almost never enforced or publicized, and until recently even many immigration lawyers were not aware of the requirement. In the wake of September 11th, however, the government has been aggressively enforcing this law, including an attempt in North Carolina to deport a Palestinian father of four who had entered the United States lawfully as a refugee and is a U.S. lawful permanent resident (“green card” holder). After local police officers in Raleigh stopped him for driving four miles over the posted speed limit and reported him to the INS, the INS claimed that he had failed to file an AR-11 after a change of residence. Reportedly deportation charges against this man were dismissed, because his lawyer succeeded in persuading the Immigration Judge that the failure to file an AR-11 was not “willful,” as required by Section 237(a)(3)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Nonetheless, noncitizens in the United States must now regard this requirement with deadly seriousness, even if they have been law-abiding green card holders with American families for many years.

   What should I do? Within 10 days of any change of residence, all noncitizens in the United States (except for diplomats and diplomatic workers on A or G visas) should mail the simple, one-page Form AR-11 to the government address specified on the form. Please note that the USCIS has issued a new version of Form AR-11. The new version of the form and the new mailing address can be found at the web site of the USCIS . It is recommended that the form be filed by certified mail, without filling out a return receipt. This will enable you to prove that you mailed the form. You should keep the original certified mail receipt and postal receipt showing payment of the postage plus a photocopy of the AR-11 itself. Please do not send copies of these documents to Bruce A. Hake, P.C. unless requested to do so.   PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL INDIVIDUALS SUBJECT TO SPECIAL REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS (DISCUSSED BELOW) SHOULD NOT USE THE FORM AR-11 TO REPORT CHANGES OF ADDRESS, BUT SHOULD INSTEAD USE FORM AR-11SR.

   What should I do if I neglected to file an AR-11 with regard to one or more previous changes of address? There is no clear guidance from the government. In this situation it is recommended that an AR-11 be filed, as suggested in the previous paragraph, with regard to the most recent change of address only.

   What about contacting other USCIS offices where an application of mine is pending? In addition, the USCIS generally recommends that you should send a change of address notice by letter to every USCIS office where you have an application or petition pending. One can find the mailing addresses for USCIS field offices on the USCIS web site . Your lawyer can tell you how to give a case number to reference each specific application or petition and which address to use for the particular USCIS office. Please do not send copies of such letters to Bruce A. Hake, P.C. unless requested to do so, but be sure to keep copies for yourself. Be aware that it is unlikely that the USCIS will actually match the address change notice with your case file, and you will almost certainly receive no acknowledgment from the USCIS regarding your letter.

   Is the AR-11 used only for address changes? No. The government has announced that persons who are subject to the new “Special Registration” requirements must file a new variant of the Form AR-11 designated AR-11SR within 10 days of any change of employment or change of school. At present it appears that persons who are not subject to the Special Registration requirements do not need to worry about this.

   Are there any other change of address requirements I should know about? Yes. If you have ever “sponsored” anyone by filing a Form I-864 Affidavit of Support, you are required to report any change of address to the USCIS within 30 days if your obligations under the Affidavit of Support are still “in force” (typically, one’s obligations under an Affidavit of Support remain in force until the sponsored immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen, departs the United States permanently, or dies). If this rule applies to you, you should mail the simple, one-page Form I-865 to the USCIS address specified on the form. As with the AR-11, the form may be downloaded from the USCIS web site . It is recommended that you file the form by certified mail, without filling out a return receipt. You should keep the original certified mail receipt and postal receipt showing payment of the postage plus a photocopy of the I-865 itself. Please do not send copies of these documents to Bruce A. Hake, P.C. unless requested to do so.
   

3. Special Registration. Under the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (“NSEERS”), certain nonimmigrant foreigners traveling to or residing in the United States have been required to comply with extensive new registration requirements. Generally, a “nonimmigrant” can be defined as anyone present in the United States who is not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.

   These “special registration” rules have involved, among other things, periodic interviews at government offices, fingerprinting requirements, and new protocols regarding departures from the United States. IN ADDITION, INDIVIDUALS SUBJECT TO SPECIAL REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS DO NOT USE FORM AR-11 TO REPORT CHANGES OF ADDRESS.  INSTEAD, THEY MUST USE FORM AR-11SR (see above) .  SPECIAL REGISTRANTS ARE REQUIRED TO USE THE FORM AR-11SR TO REPORT CHANGES OF ADDRESS, AS WELL AS CHANGES IN SCHOOL OR EMPLOYMENT.

   ALL NONIMMIGRANTS REGISTERED UNDER THE NSEERS PROGRAM MUST COMPLY WITH ADDITIONAL "EXIT" REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS BEFORE DEPARTING THE UNITED STATES. EVEN IF YOU ALREADY WERE REGISTERED JUST A FEW DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE, YOU MAY NEED TO BE REGISTERED AGAIN. FAILURE TO COMPLY MAY HAVE A DISASTROUS IMPACT ON YOUR ABILITY TO EVER RE-ENTER THE UNITED STATES.
   
   A wealth of information about special registration can be found on the government's Special Registration web site.
   

   IMPORTANT [June 2005 update]. There have been widespread rumors that the NSEERS Special Registration program was abolished. That is not true. Some elements of the program remain in existence. If you were subject to the original NSEERS program, study the government's web pages on this, and consult a lawyer, before departing the United States.

   (i) Call-in Registration: Nonimmigrant foreigners currently in the United States. The former INS published four separate regulations (each featuring a different list of countries) requiring certain nonimmigrant men to register at designated government offices. If an individual was required to appear for this “call-in” registration and failed to do so, he may now be “out of status” and subject to arrest, imprisonment, fines, and/or deportation.

   List #1 (Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, and Syria)

   The special registration requirements applied to all nonimmigrant males aged 16 years or older who (a) were last admitted to the United States before September 10, 2002, (b) remained in the United States past December 16, 2002, (c) did not apply for asylum prior to November 6, 2002, (d) had not been granted asylum, (e) were not in A or G nonimmigrant status, and (f) are nationals or citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, or Syria. (Source: Federal Register Notice of 11/06/2002)

   These men were originally required to appear for special registration on or before December 16, 2002. A rule published on January 16, 2003 provided, however, that the men subject to this requirement were permitted to appear for special registration as late as February 7, 2003.

   List #2 (Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Eritrea, Lebanon, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Qatar, Somalia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen)

   Special registration requirements applied to all nonimmigrant males aged 16 years or older who (a) were last admitted to the United States on or before September 30, 2002, (b) remained in the United States past January 10, 2003, (c) did not apply for asylum prior to November 22, 2002, (d) had not been granted asylum, (e) were not in A or G nonimmigrant status, and (f) are nationals or citizens of Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Eritrea, Lebanon, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Qatar, Somalia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, or Yemen. (Source: Federal Register Notice of 11/22/2002)

   These men were originally required to appear for special registration on or before January 10, 2003. A rule published on January 16, 2003 provided, however, that the men subject to this requirement were permitted to appear for special registration as late as February 7, 2003.

   List #3 (Pakistan and Saudi Arabia)

   Special registration requirements applied to all nonimmigrant males aged 16 years or older who (a) were last admitted to the United States on or before September 30, 2002, (b) remained in the United States past February 21, 2003, (c) did not apply for asylum prior to December 18, 2002, (d) had not been granted asylum, (e) were not in A or G nonimmigrant status, and (f) are nationals or citizens of Saudi Arabia or Pakistan. (Source: Federal Register Notice of 12/18/2002)

   These men were originally required to appear for special registration on or before February 21, 2003. A rule published on February 19, 2003 provided, however, that the men subject to this requirement were permitted to appear for special registration as late as March 21, 2003.

   List #4 (Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, and Kuwait)

   Special registration requirements applied to all nonimmigrant males aged 16 years or older who (a) were last admitted to the United States on or before September 30, 2002, (b) remained in the United States past March 28, 2003, (c) did not apply for asylum prior to January 16, 2003, (d) had not been granted asylum, (e) were not in A or G nonimmigrant status, and (f) are nationals or citizens of Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, or Kuwait. (Source: Federal Register Notice of 01/16/2003)
   
   These men were originally required to appear for special registration on or before March 28, 2003. A rule published on February 19, 2003 provided, however, that the men subject to this requirement were permitted to appear for special registration as late as April 25, 2003. The government further clarified that men in this group who departed the United States before April 25, 2003 were not required to register.
   

   Naturally, if a nonimmigrant was subject to the new requirement and failed to appear for special registration, he should contact an immigration lawyer immediately.

   What happens during call-in registration?

   The short answer to this question: it depends. DHS offices have varied widely in their approach. Regardless of the venue, however, a call-in registrant should prepare to be photographed, fingerprinted, and interviewed at length. He should also bring along those items required by the published special registration rules: (a) a current passport; (b) the Form I-94 issued upon admission to the United States; (c) any other government-issued identification, including a driver’s license; (d) proof of current residence, such as a land title or apartment lease; (e) proof of matriculation at an educational institution, if applicable; and (f) proof of employment, if applicable (recent payroll stubs and a recently dated letter from the employer attesting to continued employment are ideal). A call-in registrant should also be prepared to provide detailed contact information for his relatives both in the United States and in his home country.

   Ominously, the call-in registrant may be expected to provide “any additional information required” by the DHS. DHS officers at several offices have been emptying and examining the contents of the registrants’ wallets. They have been recording credit card, bank account, and even things like video rental account numbers. A registrant should, therefore, count on someone examining each and every item in his possession at the time of the interview.

   (ii) Arrival Registration: Nonimmigrant foreigners traveling to the United States. Special registration requirements also apply to certain nonimmigrant foreigners attempting to enter the United States. The individual is first registered upon his or her arrival at a U.S. port of entry. Following this registration, he or she is required to comply with follow-up registration requirements.

   List #1a (Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, and Syria)

   All nonimmigrant foreigners, regardless of age or gender, who are (a) attempting to enter the United States in a nonimmigrant status other than A or G and (b) nationals or citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, or Syria will be subject to special registration at the U.S. port of entry. (Source: Department of Justice Press Conference of 08/13/02 and Federal Register Notice of 09/06/2002)

   List #2a (Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and any other nonimmigrants meeting certain “pre-existing criteria”)

   All nonimmigrant foreigners attempting to enter the United States who meet certain “pre-existing criteria” are required to comply with the special registration requirements. As a general rule, it is not expected that such criteria will ever be disclosed by the government. However, a confidential government memorandum addressing this issue made its way to the popular press. The memo states that all males between the ages of 16 and 45 who are attempting to enter the United States in a nonimmigrant status other than A or G and who are citizens or nationals of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, or Yemen are subject to the new special registration requirements.

   The memo also lists several other criteria for subjecting any nonimmigrant to special registration: (a) making trips to Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Syria, North Korea, Cuba, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Yemen, Egypt, Somalia, Pakistan, Indonesia, or Malaysia that lack “a credible explanation;” (b) engaging in other travel not well explained by a job or other legitimate circumstances; (c) having once overstayed a nonimmigrant visa; (d) meeting intelligence profiles; (e) being identified by a law enforcement agency for monitoring; (f) showing by “behavior, demeanor, or answers” that monitoring is warranted; or (g) giving answers from which the officer might “reasonably determine” that monitoring is required. (Source: “Confidential” INS Memorandum of 09/05/02)

   List #3a (Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Eritrea, Lebanon, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Qatar, Somalia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen)

   As discussed above (see List #2), all nonimmigrant males aged 16 years or older who are nationals or citizens of Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Eritrea, Lebanon, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Qatar, Somalia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen were required to comply with “call-in” registration requirements. Therefore, it is probably safe to assume that all nonimmigrants fitting this description who are attempting to enter the United States will be subject to special registration at the U.S. port of entry.

   List #4a (Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, and Kuwait)
   
   As discussed above (see List #4), all nonimmigrant males aged 16 years or older who are nationals or citizens of Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, or Kuwait were required to comply with “call-in” registration requirements. Therefore, it is probably safe to assume that all nonimmigrants fitting this description who are attempting to enter the United States will be subject to special registration at the U.S. port of entry.

   Please note that government plans to replace NSEERS with a new system. Expect many future change.
   


4. Lengthy Security Checks. In the wake of September 11th, many government offices have slowed down due to various kinds of new security checks. In addition, at least four different lists of countries have been announced, subjecting the citizens of such countries to special enhanced security procedures.

   The “Countries of Interest” List. Released in April 2003, this list of over 50 countries is supposedly being used by immigration inspectors to determine which foreigners should be subjected to additional security checks before entering the United States. While parts of the list are illegible, it does clearly include the following countries: Afghanistan; Algeria; Angola; Argentina; Armenia; Bahrain; Bhutan; Brazil; Congo; Cyprus; Democratic Republic of Congo; Egypt; Eritrea; Ethiopia; Georgia; India; Indonesia; Iran; Iraq; Israel; Jordan; Kazakhstan; Kenya; Kuwait; Kyrgyzstan; Lebanon; Liberia; Malaysia; Mongolia; Morocco; Myanmar; Nepal; Oman; Pakistan; Panama; Paraguay; Philippines; Qatar; Republic of Yemen (Sanaa); Saudi Arabia; Somalia; Sri Lanka; Sudan; Syria; Tajikistan; Tunisia; Turkey; Turkmenistan; United Arab Emirates; Uruguay; Uzbekistan; Venezuela; and Yemen.

   The List of 26. In November 2001 the U.S. State Department announced that all men between the ages of 16 and 45 from certain “countries of interest” would be subject to a special 20-day waiting period on nonimmigrant visa applications. The list of countries was never officially published, but it was thought to include 26 mainly Muslim countries. Such persons were required to complete a detailed questionnaire on their backgrounds, including information about any military service, weapons training, and previous travels. One of our clients, a dual citizen of both the United Kingdom and Pakistan and a distinguished medical scientist, had to wait for months before he was able to get a routine visa from the U.S. Embassy in London to return to his family and employment in the United States. This list was believed to include these countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudia Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Turkey has appeared and Bangladesh has not appeared on some versions of the list.

   In late October 2002, the Department of State announced that it would terminate the 20-day waiting period that has come to be associated with the List of 26. The waiting period, according to the Department of State, was an interim measure and its need has been obviated by improved interagency data sharing procedures and additional security procedures.

   Enhanced Border Security List. The Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002 (H.R. 3525), signed by the President on May 14, 2002, bars the issuance of nonimmigrant visas to nationals of seven countries, unless it is determined that the person does not pose a security threat. This list includes these countries: Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria. Anecdotal evidence suggests that individuals who have resided in these countries, even if only for a short time, may be subject to substantially enhanced security screening as well.

   All visa applicants (with very few exceptions) who are nationals of the seven countries listed above and who are older than 16 years of age must complete Form DS-157, in addition to Form DS-156, and must appear for an interview with a consular officer before they will be eligible to receive a visa.

   Alien Registration List. As discussed above, the new Special Registration requirements apply to certain persons from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Syria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Eritrea, Lebanon, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Qatar, Somalia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, and Kuwait plus any other country as determined on a case-by-case basis by the government.

   The “Axis of Evil.” So far there have been no additional requirements imposed on citizens of the so-called Axis of Evil (North Korea, Iran, and Iraq), but stay tuned.
   

5. Three- and Ten-Year Bars on Reentry for J-1 Exchange Visitors. This is a brief summary of an issue that may become important for many of our clients. In 1996 the U.S. Congress passed legislation that bars many nonimmigrants from reentering the United States for long periods of time if they accrue extended periods of “unlawful presence.” “Unlawful presence” is a technical term that mainly applies to nonimmigrants who overstay their authorized periods of admission or who work without employment authorization. In the most common situation, the “unlawful presence clock” starts to run when the current visa status expires. If the person accrues 180 days of unlawful presence, he becomes subject to a 3-year bar on reentry. If the period of unlawful presence stretches to an entire year, the person becomes subject to a 10-year bar on reentry.

   In 1997 and 1998 the U.S. State Department and the former INS issued policy guidelines that exempt from the accrual of unlawful presence J-1 exchange visitors who were admitted for “duration of status” (I-94 card marked “D/S” instead of giving a fixed date for the termination of authorized stay). According to this policy, the unlawful presence clock would start to run for persons who had overstayed J-1 visa status only upon issuance of a written determination by the government or certain other officials that the person was out of status. In practice such written determinations were extremely rare. Thus, in practice J-1 exchange visitors have not needed to worry about the 3- and 10-year bars.

   In 2002 a rumor circulated that the government will soon release regulations that will remove this exemption. Indeed, it is possible that the change may be made retroactive. Therefore, it is possible that some people who have had to overstay their J-1 visa status and go out of status for extended periods (for instance, due to the long delays in adjudicating a J-1 waiver application) may suddenly find themselves subject to a 3- or 10-year bar on reentry the next time they leave the United States. It is unknown when such regulations will be issued and exactly what they will say. At a minimum, this possible development makes it much more dangerous for J-1 exchange visitors to stay more than 30 days beyond the last date on their last IAP-66 form (now called State Department Form DS-2019).
   

6. Local Police Enforcement of Immigration Laws. Be aware that the U.S. Justice Department under Attorney General John Ashcroft has attempted to reverse years of law that prohibited local police officers from enforcing federal immigration laws. During the War on Terrorism, initiatives have started to permit and encourage local police departments to conduct immigration investigations. Many or most local police departments will not make this a priority, or will even actively resist. But others will not. Therefore, foreigners in the United States now must be much more careful about complying at all times with all details of U.S. law.

   In particular, it is critical that foreigners comply with the new special registration requirements. Attorney General Ashcroft announced on June 6, 2002 that when a foreigner violates one of the new special registration rules, his or her photographs, fingerprints, and personal information will be logged into the National Crime Information Center System (“NCIC”). When federal, state, or local law enforcement officers encounter a foreigner whose information has been logged into NCIC, the law permits them to arrest that foreigner and transfer him or her to the custody of the DHS.

   Foreigners in the United States should carry on their person at all times their original Form I-94 card and other documents proving their current, lawful status. Photocopies of all such papers, of course, should be maintained separately in a secure place. Because the times are so serious, and the potential risks are so high, it may be prudent to err on the side of caution and carry copies of all immigration papers when traveling by vehicle.
   

7. New Tracking And Security Check Features For J-1 Exchange Visitors. It appears that the U.S. Government has started serious tracking and security checking for all J-1 exchange visitors and other student visa categories. It is going to take much longer for many people to obtain original or replacement J-1 visas, causing many students to be “stuck” overseas and unable to attend the first classes of a semester or other training program. In addition, there is going to be aggressive monitoring of whether J-1 exchange visitors are maintaining status by staying in school or otherwise doing what they are supposed to be doing in J-1 status. All J-1 exchange visitors should monitor these developments closely.

   For more information see the student and exchange visitor page.
   

8. Consular Processing Issues. Another important post-September 11 development involves the constantly changing procedures with regard to visa issuance at consulates and embassies abroad. Some consulates have witnessed a partial abandonment of Third Country National (“TCN”) processing of visa applications, while others have remained unaffected. Of course, most TCN applicants must make their visa appointments through the NVARS [www.nvars.com] system. It is advised that applicants wait five business days after scheduling before making airline reservations or other travel plans. Those not contacted by the State Department in this time frame will typically have appointments.

   An individual from a country that has been included in one or more of the post-September 11 country lists should consult with a law firm that has expertise in overseas consular processing before planning to travel abroad for a visa application. Bruce A. Hake, P.C. does not have such expertise.

   All applicants for nonimmigrant visas, TCNs or otherwise, must be prepared for substantial delays in the application process. In November 2002, the Department of State posted the following statement on its web site: “Responding to the attacks of September 11, 2001, the State Department, working with other U.S. Government agencies, has been engaged in an extensive and ongoing review of visa issuing practices as they relate to our national security. Visa applications are now subject to a greater degree of scrutiny than in the past. Applicants affected by these procedures are informed of the need for additional screening at the time they submit their applications and are being advised to expect delays. The time needed for adjudication of individual cases will continue to be difficult to predict. We recommend that individuals build in ample time before their planned travel date when seeking to obtain a visa. We recognize that these delays are having an impact on visa applicants, and we have already had success streamlining the process, consistent with our security and legal responsibilities. The State Department is working hard with other government agencies to rationalize clearance procedures in ways that continue to protect US borders, our first priority, while facilitating legitimate travel. We trust that affected applicants will understand that this waiting period is necessary as we strive to make every effort to ensure the safety and security of the United States for all who are here, including foreign visitors.”

9. Destruction Of Due Process Rights. In many ways since September 11, 2001, the U.S. Government has been taking steps that result in the destruction of due process/fair hearing rights for foreigners in the United States. Indeed, some of these steps pose dire threats to the civil liberties of all American citizens. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has prepared a good summary of the major Executive Branch actions since September 11th that restrict due process rights of foreigners.
   
   
10. Bottom Line For Foreigners Now Lawfully Present In The United States. The bottom line now for foreigners who are lawfully present in the United States is that it may be prudent not to depart the United States except for a bona fide emergency, so long as one is maintaining lawful status, even if one seems not to be directly affected by the developments above.

Disclaimer: This information is provided as a free service to the clients of Bruce A. Hake, P.C. and other interested persons. The firm may update this page from time to time as circumstances warrant, but it does not guarantee that the information on this page is current, complete, or accurate. Moreover, Bruce A. Hake, P.C. disclaims any liability for adverse results that may occur from action or inaction taken in response to information or suggestions on this page, unless the firm has specifically undertaken in writing to be responsible for advice in a particular situation. The information on this page is generalized and should not be relied upon as legal advice. These are serious times and for many people there may be serious and unexpected consequences in connection with seemingly minor matters such as notices of change of address. Readers should conduct their own research beyond this page and they should retain the services of an experienced immigration lawyer for specific advice in particular situations.

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