For many married couples, the immigration interview is one of the most stressful parts of the Green Card process. But understanding what USCIS is looking for can make the process much easier. The central question in a marriage-based immigration case is whether the couple entered the marriage in good faith and not simply to obtain an immigration benefit. USCIS may waive an adjustment interview in appropriate cases, but if an interview is scheduled, the officer can ask question

Many people with a pending Green Card application receive an Advance Parole document and assume that means they can safely travel outside the United States. A significant new immigration decision in 2026 makes it especially important to review your immigration history before you travel. In August 2026, the Board of Immigration Appeals issued Matter of Delcarmen-Lara, holding that traveling outside the United States with Advance Parole can count as a “departure” for purposes o

If you are preparing to apply for a Green Card in the United States, an important change to the public charge rules takes effect on September 18, 2026. Under the new rule, USCIS officers will have broader discretion when deciding whether an applicant is likely to become a “public charge.” USCIS can look at the applicant's overall circumstances, including age, health, family situation, financial resources, education and skills, and receipt of certain means-tested public benefi

You met with an attorney, signed your Florida revocable living trust, and went home thinking your estate would avoid probate. But there is one more very important step: Did you actually transfer your assets into the trust? Creating a trust and funding a trust are two different things. What Does It Mean to “Fund” a Living Trust? Funding simply means properly connecting your assets to your estate plan. Depending on the asset and your individual plan, that may involve chang

One of the biggest fears families have when a parent or spouse needs nursing home care is: Will Medicaid take our house? Or Will I be disqualified from Medicaid because I own a home? The short answer in Florida is not automatically. Your home receives important protections, but Medicaid eligibility and what happens to property after death can be complicated. Planning before making transfers or changing ownership is extremely important. Does Your House Count Against You for Fl

Unless USCIS determines otherwise, beginning September 15, 2026, new DHS rules are scheduled to replace the traditional Duration of Status (D/S) system for many F-1 students with a fixed period of admission. Current F-1 students may qualify for important transition protections, but travel, OPT, program extensions, transfers, and future degree programs may be affected. A major change is coming for international students in the United States. On July 17, 2026, the Department o

If your immigration case has been pending for months with little or no movement, you are not alone. USCIS processing delays have gotten significantly worse in 2026. New data from the American Immigration Council shows that USCIS had approximately 11.3 million pending applications and petitions in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026—about 1.6 million more than one year earlier. USCIS also completed about 41% fewer cases compared with the same quarter the previous year. How L

What AI Can—and Can't—Do for Your Florida Estate Plan Artificial intelligence is changing the way people search for information. Every day, more people ask ChatGPT legal questions, including one we hear often at Arevalo Law: "Can ChatGPT write my will?" The answer is yes, but that doesn't necessarily mean it can create the right estate plan for you. AI can be an excellent educational tool. It can explain estate planning concepts, help you organize your assets, and even gene

We're genuinely married. Why is USCIS asking so many questions? This is one of the most common concerns we hear from couples applying for a marriage-based green card. The answer is simple: USCIS is legally required to determine whether the marriage is bona fide and not entered into solely for immigration purposes. That means immigration officers are trained to look for certain "red flags." Having one of these factors does not automatically mean your case will be denied—but it

You filed your immigration case months ago. You completed your biometrics appointment. You check your USCIS account every day... and nothing has changed. If you've found yourself constantly refreshing your USCIS online account hoping for an update, you're not alone. One of the most searched immigration questions on Google and YouTube right now is: Why is my USCIS case taking so long? Across Florida and throughout the United States, applicants for green cards, work permits, na

A dementia diagnosis changes more than just a person’s health, it can completely reshape a family’s financial future. Many Florida families are quietly facing the same fear: What happens if my spouse starts forgetting bills, becomes vulnerable to scams, or eventually needs long-term care? The emotional toll is already heavy enough. Without proper legal and financial planning, the financial consequences can also become devastating. If your loved one has early-stage dementia, n

One of the most common mistakes immigration attorneys see is people waiting to apply for immigration benefits they already qualify for. Many immigrants assume there is no urgency. They plan to apply for citizenship next year, sponsor a family member when finances improve, or start a green card case after life becomes less busy. Unfortunately, immigration law does not always reward waiting. Whether you live in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonvil

Recent USCIS guidance regarding Adjustment of Status has generated significant discussion throughout immigrant communities. Social media posts, YouTube videos, and online forums have caused many immigrants to question whether they should continue filing green card applications from inside the United States. The good news is that Adjustment of Status remains available under current immigration law. We have had clients receive approvals within the last few weeks without any

Most people assume their family will “figure things out” when they pass away. But in Florida, dying without a will can create stress, conflict, court delays, and unexpected expenses for the people you love most. We recently spoke with a family in South Florida whose father passed away unexpectedly. He owned a home, had a few bank accounts, and always talked about creating a will “someday.” Unfortunately, someday never came. Now his children are facing probate court, disagreem

Understanding Social Media Screening in Immigration Cases Many immigrants are surprised to learn that USCIS and immigration officers may review social media during certain immigration cases. As digital footprints become increasingly relevant to immigration proceedings, understanding how your online presence may affect your application has never been more important. In 2026, social media monitoring continues to be a growing concern for applicants seeking green cards, citizensh

Understanding USCIS Scrutiny of Marriage-Based Immigration Applications Marriage-based green card applications receive intensive scrutiny from USCIS officers trained specifically to identify potential marriage fraud. While this heightened review process shouldn't cause panic for genuine couples, understanding what triggers additional investigation can help you prepare a stronger application and avoid unnecessary delays. Every year, thousands of authentic couples successfully

Can Florida legally place your parent in an assisted living facility? Learn how Adult Protective Services works, your legal rights, and how to protect your loved ones. When Florida Steps In: A Situation Families Don’t Expect Imagine getting a call that your parent or someone you love has been removed from their home and placed in an assisted living facility in Florida. No warning. No time to prepare. Just a sudden decision made by the state. This is not uncommon. Across Flo

Another major concern right now is the Visa Bulletin and green card backlog movement. Each month brings mixed updates: Good news: Some employment-based categories are moving forward Bad news: Family-based categories continue to face long backlogs Waiting times remain unpredictable Understanding your priority date and category is critical. The Bigger Shift in Immigration Right Now Here is what we are seeing across the board: USCIS processing times are increasing EAD delays are

One of the top search questions right now is: “Why is my case stuck with USCIS?” Here’s what’s happening in 2026: Immigration cases are under more scrutiny Processing times are less predictable Backlogs continue to affect multiple case types It is important to know that a delayed case does not mean a denied case. However, you should pay attention if: Your case is outside normal USCIS processing times You receive a Request for Evidence (RFE) Your case has had no updates for an

We recently spoke with a client, let’s call her Maria. Maria had done everything right. She applied for her work permit early, followed the instructions carefully, and waited patiently. Months went by and still nothing. Her savings started running low. Job opportunities slipped away. And the stress of not knowing what was happening began to take a toll. Her question was simple: “Why is my immigration case taking so long?” If you’ve been asking the same thing, you’re not alone