LPY Law Group

On June 10, 2025, the U.S. Department of State updated the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), specifically 9 FAM 302.5, to make sweeping changes concerning immigrant visa eligibility and membership in Communist or totalitarian parties. The revisions significantly expand the definition of “affiliation” with the parties for individuals who have never been official party members, remove certain exceptions, and increase recordkeeping requirements. This update has already adversely affected many pending immigrant visa applications.

Under Section 212(a)(3)(D) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), any immigrant visa applicant (or applicant for adjustment of status) who is or has been a member of the Communist Party or another totalitarian party, including subdivisions, affiliates, and certain related organizations, is generally considered inadmissible to the United States. The statute provides limited exceptions for past membership, involuntary membership, or membership terminated before age sixteen. Consular officers apply this provision through the Foreign Affairs Manual (9 FAM 302.5), which sets forth how “membership” and “affiliation” are defined, what exceptions may apply, and how cases must be documented.

The Department of State has published the June 2025 Visa Bulletin, providing updated Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates for employment-based immigrant visa categories and green card applicants. While Final Action Dates control when applicants can receive a green card, the Dates for Filing chart helps the National Visa Center (NVC) determine when immigrant visa applicants outside the United States should begin assembling and submitting documentation for consular processing. If you are physically present in the United States and eligible to file Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status), then the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed that applicants must use the “Final Action Dates” chart for employment-based adjustment of status filings in June.

Below is a summary of the relevant Final Action Dates for the first, second, and third employment-based preference categories:

By Benedicte T. Nielsen, Legal Assistant at LPY Law Group

The U.S. citizenship process can be both an exciting and nerve-wracking journey. After submitting your N-400 application, you need to study for the English and Civics tests and prepare for the naturalization interview. For applicants preparing for their N-400 interview, understanding what the process entails is just as important as gathering the necessary documents. While tips and advice can help you prepare, hearing about the experience from someone who has gone through it can offer helpful insights into what to expect. This article aims to provide that perspective—a detailed account of what it’s like to sit across from an immigration officer (IO) during your citizenship interview, coupled with practical tips to ensure you’re fully prepared.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently introduced a streamlined process for rescheduling biometric services appointments. This policy guidance, effective from July 2023, delineates procedures related to biometric appointments at Application Support Centers (ASC) and clarifies the criteria for "good cause" rescheduling requests.

A: There are many things that should be considered before you hire a lawyer. Here are some factors that many clients feel are important:

a. Make sure what you hire is a licensed lawyer. A few states such as California allow non-lawyers to handle certain immigration matters. Some of these individuals advertise and present themselves as if they were lawyers while they are actually not. Before you hire a lawyer, it does not hurt to ask if he or she is a licensed lawyer.

A: No. A majority of our cases have been approved without receiving Request for Evidence. However, if RFE is issued, we usually do not charge extra legal fee for answering it.

A: A reasonable attorney's fee schedule is an important part of our commitment to serving talented individuals who deserve more than they have received due to their immigration status. We have been working hard to provide personalized legal service to our clients while keeping the attorney's fees reasonable. We know, however, our attorney's fee is not the lowest. The bottom line: we do not compromise the quality of our personalized service for unreasonably low fees. Doing this is against our professional ethics, and we do not believe that doing this is in the best interest of the qualified clients.

A: In legal profession, particularly in immigration law practice that involves many unpublished rules, regulations, and appeals decisions, a lawyer's real world experience makes a difference. As an immigrant, Attorney Z. Zac Liu, our founding attorney, went through every step of the immigration process. He understands how a green card matters to foreign individuals and their loved ones. As an experienced immigration lawyer, he has successfully represented numerous qualified individuals in their immigration petitions/applications. Driven by his experience as an immigrant, and equipped with his experience as an immigration lawyer, he has the enthusiasm, diligence, experience, and capability to pursue the best interest of each qualified client.

A: At L&A, typical services in processing immigration case include answering clients’ inquiries, clarifying client's concerns, advising clients of their legal options and best approaches, drafting legal documents, preparing petition/application packages, contacting government agencies, and appealing to administrative boards and judiciary courts if necessary.

A: At LPY Law Group, you know from the very beginning of the process that an experienced attorney will personally handle your case and that you can talk to him or her when you have a question or concern by dialing the office toll free number (1.800.878.1807) or by sending an e-mail. Paralegals and legal assistants are assigned to handle clerical work only and are not allowed to discuss legal issues with clients.