Wilson Law GroupWilson Law Group2026-06-23T15:11:51Zhttps://www.wilsonlg.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1203659/2023/09/cropped-favicon-wilson2-32x32.pngOn Behalf of Wilson Law Group LLC<![CDATA[Can green card holders be deported after a conviction?]]>https://www.wilsonlg.com/?p=481292026-06-22T14:29:41Z2026-06-22T14:29:41ZConvictions may lead to deportation
Under U.S. law, a green card does not completely protect someone from being deported. If a green card holder gets a criminal conviction, immigration officials can start the removal process. While many offenses can trigger this, certain types of crimes carry the highest risk of deportation:
Aggravated felonies: Even though this label sounds violent, immigration law applies it to many non-violent crimes too. This includes theft, fraud or tax evasion if the crime involves a certain amount of money.
Crimes involving moral turpitude: Immigration law defines these as dishonest or immoral acts. Examples include forgery, grand theft and some types of assault.
Drug-related offenses: Illegal drug convictions almost always lead to deportation. The law makes only one small exception: a single charge for possessing 30 grams or less of marijuana.
Domestic violence and child abuse: Convictions for domestic abuse, stalking, child neglect or breaking a protective order give the government automatic grounds to deport someone.
Even if a local judge only requires a light sentence, probation or a diversion program, immigration officials see things differently. What looks like a minor crime on a record can quickly turn into a reason for deportation.
Stay informed for a solid defense
People facing criminal charges or dealing with a past conviction must act quickly. Criminal law and immigration law overlap in complicated ways, meaning a normal defense plan can accidentally lead to deportation. Understanding how a plea deal affects immigration status may help people avoid choices that put their life in the U.S. at risk.
]]>On Behalf of Wilson Law Group LLC<![CDATA[Proving your engagement is real for a fiancé visa]]>https://www.wilsonlg.com/?p=481242026-06-01T03:45:13Z2026-06-01T03:44:06ZBringing your fiancé to the United States is an exciting step in your life together and the K-1 fiancé visa makes this reunion possible. Still, the United States government must verify that your relationship is genuine before granting this benefit. They want to ensure that your upcoming marriage is built on love and shared goals, rather than just a desire for a green card.
The first major hurdle is showing that you have an authentic relationship. You must demonstrate that you and your partner have a bona fide intention to establish a life together. Meeting the legal guidelines does not have to be overwhelming if you know what the government is looking for.
The foundation of your relationship
To start the process, you must prove that you and your partner have met in person at least one time within the two years before you file your paperwork. There are very rare exceptions to this rule, such as strict cultural traditions or extreme hardship. For most couples, face-to-face contact is mandatory.You must also show that you are both legally free to marry. If either of you was married before, you must provide official documents proving that the previous marriage ended through divorce, death, or annulment. Once your fiancé enters the country, you must marry within 90 days. If the wedding does not happen in that timeframe, your partner must leave the United States.
Gathering your evidence
Building a strong case means gathering a variety of documents that tell the story of your romance. The government looks at the big picture, so a mix of different proof is best. You can use several types of everyday items to show the government that your love story is real, including:
Travel itineraries, boarding passes, and passport stamps that show you visited each other.
Photographs of the two of you together, especially those taken with family and friends at different times and places.
Text messages, emails, and phone logs that show regular communication over many months.
Written statements from friends and family members who can confirm that your relationship is genuine.
By presenting these items clearly, you give the government a transparent look into your life as a couple.
Next steps
You will begin by filing Form I-129F with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This agency reviews your paperwork and runs background and security checks. If they approve your petition, they send it to the National Visa Center, which forwards it to the embassy or consulate in your fiancé's home country.Your fiancé will then attend an interview with a consular officer. This interview is a normal part of the process where your fiancé will answer questions about your relationship. If the officer believes your engagement is real, they will issue the visa.Proving your love to a government agency can feel strange, but it is a necessary part of the journey. Keeping your documents organized and staying honest will help you succeed. If you want to make sure your paperwork is flawless, consulting a professional can give you peace of mind as you begin your new life together.]]>On Behalf of Wilson Law Group LLC<![CDATA[David Wilson Speaks To MPR About Trump’s New Greed Card Policy]]>https://www.wilsonlg.com/?p=481232026-05-29T13:48:29Z2026-05-29T13:48:29ZRead the full story here.]]>On Behalf of Wilson Law Group LLC<![CDATA[The H-1B visa lottery has recently changed]]>https://www.wilsonlg.com/?p=481112026-05-07T01:30:18Z2026-05-07T01:30:18ZWhat changed about the lottery process?
The USCIS is still subject to strict limitations on the number of H-1B visas granted annually. However, the organization can now weight applications based on the perceived skill level and compensation provided to the foreign professional. Those with the best pay may be eligible for up to four entries, per visa application, in the H-1B lottery pool.
This new policy helps address concerns that abuses of H-1B visas could undermine domestic wages. Higher-paid workers are theoretically much more likely to secure an H-1B visa than those with wages that might undercut the domestic market.
This new system allows for multiple entries for those with the most competitive compensation packages, which incentivizes employers to be more generous with foreign worker compensation packages.
The USCIS retains information from the application process to validate that the final salary granted to the foreign national worker actually aligns with the quoted salary that influenced the number of lottery entries the applicant received. Professionals in the tech sector and others with degrees and work experience may now have a better chance of securing an H-1B visa if their employers offer them competitive pay rates.
Changes to the employment visa system may eventually prove beneficial to those in high-demand careers who command competitive wages. Working with an employer to pursue an H-1B visa is one of the most effective ways for professionals to legally enter the United States accordingly.]]>On Behalf of Wilson Law Group LLC<![CDATA[Who may be eligible for an immigrant relative petition?]]>https://www.wilsonlg.com/?p=481082026-04-15T11:07:14Z2026-04-15T11:07:14Zfamily preference visas can reunite people with their loved ones who still live in another country, though they are subject to strict annual limits. Understanding who might be eligible can help permanent residents and citizens explore their options and recognize which immediate family members may be in a strong position to join their loved ones in the U.S.
Close family ties are necessary
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) actually has several different categories of priority for those seeking family preference visas. As a general rule, priority consideration goes to the children of citizens rather than those related to personal lawful permanent residents.
The highest degree of priority goes to the unmarried children under the age of 21 whose parents are citizens. However, many others may be eligible for family preference visas as well. The minor, unmarried children of permanent residents may be eligible for family preferences. Unmarried children over the age of 21 can also potentially qualify, although their applications receive slightly lower priority.
Family preference visas also provide opportunities for other close family members of citizens. Citizens are also the only ones capable of sponsoring their siblings for family preference visas. The foreign nationals seeking lawful entry into the United States through the family preference visa program must be able to pass the same medical reviews and background checks as those imposed on others applying for visas.
The assistance of an attorney familiar with the unique rules for family petitions is important, as these unique immigration petitions require proof of qualifying relationships in addition to other standards. Learning about immediate relative petitions and family preference visas can help those who have legally entered the United States share their good fortune with the people they love.]]>On Behalf of Wilson Law Group LLC<![CDATA[Attorney David Wilson Speaks To MPR About Declining Oath Ceremonies In Minnesota]]>https://www.wilsonlg.com/?p=481102026-04-16T18:32:21Z2026-04-13T18:29:34ZRead the article here.]]>On Behalf of Wilson Law Group LLC<![CDATA[When “good moral character” decides your future]]>https://www.wilsonlg.com/?p=480632026-02-25T19:48:05Z2026-02-25T19:48:05Z overlooked disclosure. One old arrest. One unpaid support order. Any of these can change a naturalization case from routine to denied. In naturalization, “good moral character” is a legal requirement under the Immigration and Nationality Act. USCIS officers review conduct, records and credibility to decide whether an applicant meets the statutory standard.
How USCIS frames the review
USCIS evaluates good moral character during the statutory period through the time they take their Oath of Allegiance. Those who are conducting the review can reach back even further than typical when earlier conduct shows a pattern, when earlier conduct affects current credibility or when earlier conduct triggers a permanent bar.USCIS relies on documents, fingerprints, database checks and sworn testimony during its review. Any inconsistencies can undermine credibility. Credibility problems often lead to requests for evidence, continuances and even denials.
Conduct that create bars to naturalization
Some categories create a mandatory finding of no good moral character. These include certain controlled substance offenses, gambling offenses, habitual drunkenness, incarceration for an aggregate of 180 days and even some drunk driving offenses.USCIS also evaluates “unlawful acts” even without conviction. The agency can deny when the act violates law, the act reflects adversely on character, no extenuating circumstances exist.
Common problem areas in real cases
Applicants often underestimate issues that look “civil” rather than “criminal.” The legal impact can be the same.Before the interview, review the most frequent triggers for scrutiny:
Tax noncompliance, unfiled returns, unpaid balances, false filing status
Child support arrears, failure to comply with support orders
Domestic violence related arrests, protective orders, pleas, diversion outcomes
Misrepresentation in immigration filings, false claims to US citizenship
Each item can serve as a hurdle to naturalization.
How to present rehabilitation, extenuating circumstances
A denial often turns on evidence. USCIS weighs timing, recurrence, compliance, remediation and candor. The nuances can change and there is a push towards a return to a review that focuses on the totality of circumstances instead of just individual issues. Rehabilitation evidence can help to support a claim and includes completed probation, counseling records, payment plans, and consistent filings. Extenuating circumstances, if applicable, must relate to the unlawful act at the time of the act, not later hardship.Good moral character is a structured legal analysis. Preparation requires record collection, issue spotting and consistent disclosure. When a problem exists, the goal is not optimism but gathering admissible evidence that matches the law and supports your case.]]>On Behalf of Wilson Law Group LLC<![CDATA[Attorney David Wilson Spoke With NPR About The Recently Rescheduled Asylum Cases For Somali Migrants]]>https://www.wilsonlg.com/?p=480612026-02-11T21:25:45Z2026-02-11T21:25:45ZRead the full NPR article here.]]>On Behalf of Wilson Law Group LLC<![CDATA[When can foreign fiancés enter the United States to marry?]]>https://www.wilsonlg.com/?p=480572026-01-18T23:57:35Z2026-01-18T23:57:35ZThe fiancé of a citizen
Fiancé visas, also known as K-1 visas, are not available for people living in the country with a visa or as a permanent resident with a green card. Only citizens have the option of sponsoring a fiancé in another country for entry into the United States.
Typically, there needs to be evidence of a legitimate or bona fide engagement. Frequently, the engaged couple must provide documentation of previous meetings or communications. In some cases, records from family members related to an arranged marriage can also help people secure a K-1 visa.
A fiancé eligible for immigration
People seeking K-1 visas are subject to the same basic requirements as any other visa applicant. They have to submit medical records from a physician with credentials recognized by the United States. They must be able to pass a comprehensive background check.
Minor prior criminal offenses do not necessarily eliminate eligibility for a K-1 visa. However, serious crimes involving violence or drugs can make people ineligible for a visa.
There are also restrictions that apply even after securing a K-1 visa. The visa is only valid for 90 days, making a prompt marriage after entering the country necessary. Additionally, the fiancé-turned-spouse initially only receives a conditional green card until they qualify to remove their conditional status.
Working with an attorney familiar with family-based immigration programs can be helpful for citizens who want to bring their fiancés to the United States. Appropriate support while preparing documents and gathering evidence of a legitimate relationship can streamline the process of pursuing a K-1 visa for a fiancé.]]>On Behalf of Wilson Law Group LLC<![CDATA[The limits of a green card granted to a new spouse]]>https://www.wilsonlg.com/?p=480562026-01-09T11:15:02Z2026-01-09T11:15:02ZWhat is a conditional green card?
Both new spouses and immigrant investors often receive conditional green cards. Instead of immediately becoming eligible for permanent residency in the United States, they only qualify for a green card for two years.
They must then undergo a review showing that they still qualify for a green card before their conditional green card expires. At that point, they can upgrade their conditional green cards to a traditional one that lasts for 10 years and has no conditions attached.
Fiancés who enter the country with K-1 visas and foreign nationals who marry United States citizens may receive conditional green cards. When they seek to remove the conditions on their green card, they must show that they still meet the same standards they met when they initially applied. In other words, they need to still be married to remove their conditional status.
After that initial renewal, which must take place in a limited window of opportunity before the two-year green card expires, the future marital status of the immigrant spouse no longer determines their eligibility for a green card. If they divorce or their spouse dies, they no longer need to worry about their green card.
For fiancés and spouses who have recently married United States citizens, there may be several steps necessary to secure and retain permanent resident status. Working with a lawyer familiar with the unique rules imposed on different types of family-based immigration can be helpful for foreign national spouses and the citizens hoping to bring them to the United States accordingly.]]>