You may be wondering, How long do you have to be married to get a green card? You can apply for a marriage-based green card immediately after marriage because U.S. immigration law does not require a minimum marriage length. Applicants married less than two years at approval receive a 2-year conditional green card, while applicants married more than two...
Continue ReadingAsylum is one of the most important ways for individuals fleeing danger to find a safe new home. Asylees—individuals who have been granted asylum protection—must wait at least one year after being granted asylum before applying for a green card—lawful permanent resident status. Once that year passes, how long it takes to get a green card after asylum approval...
Continue ReadingAre you welcoming a new child into your family? If you are, you are probably full of excitement and questions. The big question is, How do you balance work with pregnancy or a new baby? Many employees have rights to unpaid leave and job protection, while others have rights to North Carolina paid family leave. Understanding your rights as...
Continue ReadingIf you are facing immigration proceedings or helping a loved one navigate them, you may have come across the concepts of removal and deportation orders. These terms are often used interchangeably. In U.S. immigration law, removal is the broad legal process used to expel non-citizens, replacing the older terms deportation and exclusion, with deportation now referring to a specific...
Continue ReadingWhen it comes to employment, is North Carolina an at-will state? Yes, it is. North Carolina allows employers or employees to end jobs at any time without giving a reason, except for unlawful reasons, as upheld in Kurtzman v. Applied Analytical Industries, Inc., 347 N.C. 329, 331, 493 S.E.2d 420, 423 (1997). Let’s look at what North Carolina at-will...
Continue ReadingWhat happens if an immigration judge denies your request for immigration benefits or orders your removal from the US? Is this the end of your case? Who can you turn to for help? Fortunately, the immigration system allows you to challenge the ruling or order. Just as important, you do not have to do it alone. In the face...
Continue ReadingBringing your parents to live permanently in the United States can be an exciting step for your family. If you’re a U.S. citizen, you may be eligible to sponsor your mother or father for a green card. While the process can seem complex, it generally involves verifying eligibility, filing an immigrant petition, completing the green card application process, attending...
Continue ReadingICE has no legal authority to deport or hold a U.S. citizen, but it sometimes detains citizens in error because of misidentification, outdated records, or confusion about citizenship. If ICE stops you and you are a U.S. citizen, state that you are a citizen, do not sign anything, ask for an attorney, and have someone bring proof of your...
Continue ReadingDeportation — officially called “removal” under U.S. law is the legal process the government uses to remove a non-citizen from the country. What is the most common reason for deportation? Historically, criminal convictions have topped the list. But 2025 marked a significant shift in how immigration enforcement operates: nearly 50% of detained and deported individuals in 2025 had no...
Continue ReadingIf you have been injured at work and your workers’ comp claim is denied, you are undoubtedly worried about your medical expenses piling up. There are options to paying your medical bills, even when workers’ comp denies the claim. Health insurance covers bills consistent with your policy, but a denied claim may lead to high out-of-pocket costs. Insurers also...
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