5 things Green Card holders should do as DHS gets a new secretary, advises immigration attorney
Immigration attorney Sekou Clarke said under DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, 170 US citizens were detained by ICE and around eight to ten US citizens were actually removed. Clarke said that while her stint felt like chaos, Markwayne Mullin’s time in the DHS will begin with an overhaul of the enforcement of ICE. They are going to restrategize and that may become more organized, detailed, and targeted approach. “It does not mean there will be less or more enforcement,” the immigration attorney said, adding that Green Card holders must remain careful. Under a new secretary, it’s a possibility that there will be broader priorities for the department now, including a shift in the funding of the DHS.
Fix your taxes
The attorney said tax issues can definitely trigger a public charge or some type of felony. And those who are applying for Green Cards or are Green Card holders should not have their taxes due to trigger any investigation.
Avoid long trips outside US
Green Card holders should not remain outside the country for more than six months as that may hamper naturalization. This cam distupt the continuous residency required for naturalization and they can be accused of abandoning their US residency. This is not a new requirement but the attorney explained that the enforcement of these existing laws has becone strengthened now.
Strengthen evidence
If it is a marriage-based Green Card, one should strengthen the evidence. They can’t have a random tax return saying that they are married but filing single tax or that they have different leases. make
Clean social media
This is the easiest thing to do, Clarke said, and there should be nothing anti-semitic or illicit on the social media accounts because DHS is checking social media accounts.
Audit your case
Clarke said before filing for naturalization, the applicant must take a look at their entire immigration history so that if there is an issue, any criminal history etc, it can be fixed before the application is submitted.
