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Transcending Borders Newsletter
Original Content
Our Immigrant Stories – Marcela Villeda Sanchinelli
A Guatemalan immigrant herself, Attorney Marcela Villeda Sanchinelli helps foreign nationals through many of the same immigration processes she experienced. Marcela immigrated to the United States as a beneficiary to her father’s L-1A visa. She proceeded to adjust her status to lawful permanent residence in 2014, and recently underwent the naturalization process in 2020. This issue of “Our Immigrant Stories” details Marcela’s experiences both as an immigrant and as an immigration attorney.
Does Biden’s New Parole in Place Program Apply to You?
On June 18, 2024, President Biden announced a new program allowing some undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens to apply for “parole in place” with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that oversees immigration benefits within the United States.
USCIS began accepting applications for the program on August 19, 2024. If approved, a person will be granted “parole,” which allows them to apply for permanent residency without leaving the United States and being separated from their U.S. citizen family.
Strategies to Remain in the U.S. for those whose path to a Green Card is Significantly Delayed by EB-4 Retrogression
In April 2023, the Employment-Based Fourth Preference immigrant visa (EB-4) category, which includes religious workers, certain broadcasters, certain retired officers or employees of a G-4 international organization, and their family members, retrogressed substantially to September 2018. Please refer to our previous blog about why this retrogression happened. A little more than a year later, there has been some progress. Based on the Final Action Chart of the August 2024 Visa Bulletin, individuals who filed an I-360 petition on January 1, 2021, or prior to this date, would be able to file an application for lawful permanent residence.
This article outlines the nonimmigrant and immigrant options available for certain retired officers or employees of a G-4 international organization, certain broadcasters, and religious workers while the backlog continues.
Understanding the National Interest Waiver: Key Points from USCIS Data
In the world of U.S. immigration, the National Interest Waiver (NIW) offers a promising way for people with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities to get a green card without going through the long and complicated PERM labor certification process. The NIW has become especially popular recently because it is often seen as an easy and quick route to permanent residency in the United States. New data from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) gives us important insights into the trends and common misunderstandings about the NIW.
USCIS Recognizes Esports as an Athletic Endeavor: A New Era for International Esports Athletes
As the mainstream acceptance of esports grows, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has expanded the definition of “athlete” to include professional gamers. This means that esports athletes can now qualify for P-1 visas, previously reserved for traditional sports professionals.
Tips for Securing a Second Passport
In anticipation of the election, GYH received an influx of questions about acquiring second passports. In response, we kicked off a series of guest blogs on global immigration through investment and ancestry, written by our vast network of local counsel around the globe. You can view summaries of citizenship options for the countries below on our website. Stay tuned for more to come!
Policy Updates
Designation of Qatar for the Visa Waiver Program
On September 20, 2024, Qatar was officially designated for inclusion in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP), allowing eligible Qatari citizens to enter the U.S. for up to 90 days for business or tourism without a visa. The program will be effective starting December 1, 2024. This decision followed the U.S. government’s evaluation, ensuring Qatar meets security, passport, and reciprocal privileges standards. Qatar joins a list of other nations already in the VWP, facilitating easier travel to the United States.
USCIS Extends Green Card Validity to 36 Months for Renewals
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has extended the validity of Green Cards for lawful permanent residents filing for renewal of an expired or expiring Green Card using Form I-90. The validity of the Green Cards is extended from 24 months to 36 months as of September 10, 2024.
USCIS has updated receipt notices to reflect this change, allowing the notice to serve as proof of continued lawful permanent resident status when presented with an expired Green Card. This adjustment aims to assist applicants experiencing longer processing times.
If applicants no longer have their Green Card and need proof of lawful status while waiting for a replacement, they can request an Alien Documentation, Identification, and Telecommunications (ADIT) stamp by contacting the USCIS Contact Center.
USCIS Updated Guidance for International Students
Recent updates from USCIS, effective as of August 27, 2024, bring significant changes that provide more flexibility and opportunities for international students on F and M visas. These updates include when students may be eligible for optional practical training (OPT), as well as clarifying matters concerning online classes, school transfers, grace periods, and study abroad.
Firm News
GYH Welcomes New Attorneys
Welcome, Gianna Borroto
GYH is overjoyed to welcome Gianna Borroto as Senior Attorney in the firm’s International Protection Practice! Gianna brings over ten years of experience successfully representing clients in complex matters before the immigration courts, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Board of Immigration Appeals, federal courts, and U.S. consulates worldwide. She specializes in humanitarian and international protection issues, such as asylum, unaccompanied children’s cases, T and U visas, and removal of INTERPOL Red Notices
Welcome, Mark Donig
GYH welcomes Mark Donig as Of Counsel! Mark brings over ten years of experience advising clients on complex, high-profile, and sensitive matters in both corporate and humanitarian law. The addition of Mark Donig will enhance our ability to deliver comprehensive and innovative legal solutions, reflecting our commitment to providing outstanding client service.
Charlie Magri joins as Of Counsel
GYH welcomes Charlie Magri, former INTERPOL CCF attorney, as Of Counsel to the International Protection Practice (IPP)!
Magri’s addition to the practice provides the IPP with critical insight into the inner workings of INTERPOL, providing the firm and its clients with additional tools and strategies for clearing their names from INTERPOL databases.
“We are thrilled to have Charlie join our team,” says Sandra Grossman, Managing Partner and Lead Partner of the IPP. “His background with INTERPOL’s CCF and his commitment to defending individual rights on the international stage, align perfectly with our mission to provide cutting-edge, comprehensive protection to our clients. His arrival significantly strengthens our capabilities in this highly specialized area of law.”
Read the full press release below and on our website:
To learn more about Charlie’s background and expertise, check out the recent Law360 article: HERE
View Charlie Magri’s Video Statement
Firm Webinars
Navigating INTERPOL and Parental Child Abduction Cases
When it comes to international parental child abduction, understanding the role of INTERPOL is crucial for both lawyers and clients. Partner Sandra Grossman and INTERPOL expert Charlie Magri discuss the interplay between INTERPOL and the U.S. immigration system in this dynamic webinar, hosted by the New York State Bar Association.
Listen to recording: HERE
Bringing Talent to the Table
On September 18th, GYH came together with Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington and the National Restaurant Association for “Bringing Talent to the Table” an engaging webinar about the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act (EWEA) and pathways to sponsoring immigrant workers in restaurants.
We discussed lesser known visa options for essential workers in hospitality as well as advocacy initiatives to help combat the labor shortage plaguing the industry.
In case you missed it, a recording of the webinar and copy of the slides are now on our website: HERE.
GYH About Town
Ariel and Gianna at IBA
GYH attorneys had a great time representing the firm at the recent International Bar Association (IBA) Annual Conference in Mexico City!
Senior Attorney Gianna Borroto participated in a Refugee and Humanitarian Law Update panel, discussing the plight of children and unaccompanied minors in refugee movements.
Attorney Ariel Rawls also attended the conference as winner of the IBA’s North American Regional Forum Scholarship.
GYH Sponsors the Toyota Symposium
Attorneys Yeon Me Kim and Anne Rowley recently represented GYH at the Toyota Tsusho America Employee Training & Development Symposium in Cincinnati. The attorneys had a great time meeting the company’s employees from around the globe!
Best Lawyers Recognizes GYH
Grossman Young & Hammond is proud to announce that the firm and its attorneys were selected by peers for inclusion in the 2025 editions of Best Lawyers in America®, Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch®, and Best Law Firms®. Firms included in these prestigious rankings are recognized for professional excellence with impressive ratings from clients and peers.
Congratulations to all the attorneys recognized in these publications! We also extend a special thanks to all our employees at GYH who make this excellence possible.
Lawyers named to 2025 The Best Lawyers in America list:
- Sandra Grossman – Immigration Law
- Denise C. Hammond – Immigration Law
- Adriana Ruiz Robinson – Immigration Law
- Patrick Taurel – Immigration Law
- Becki Young – Immigration Law
Lawyers recognized in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch:
- Anne Rowley – Immigration Law
- Nikki Whetstone, Esq. – Immigration Law
Firmwide Rankings in 2025 Best Law Firms®:
- Regional Tier 1 – Washington, DC – Immigration Law
- National Tier 1 – Immigration Law
