Blogs
Gift ideas for the holidays – What to give to a new U.S. citizen?
As I was driving through Walnut Creek, on the way to BART, I was passing by a lot of stores and thinking about how crowded
New Asylum Case on Family as Social Group
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of Rios v. Lynch, — F.3d — (9th Cir. 2015) recently held that the Board of Immigration
Immigration Blog Round-Up, Week ending December 6, 2015
I have decided to change the days of blog round up from Fridays to Sundays. It seems more natural to have a “round-up” at the
Five Tips to Prepare for your Asylum Interview
With delays of two years, at a minimum, from the date of filing to the date of the asylum interview, at least in San Francisco,
How do I clear my immigration record so I don’t get stopped at the airport?
I recently had a client returning from a trip abroad through the San Francisco International Airport. He was stopped and referred to secondary inspection where
USCIS changes policy on approval of visa petitions for widow(er)s
A few days ago, USCIS released a new policy memo on the approval of visa petitions for widows/widowers. The new policy allows a spouse of
Social Security’s plan to reduce its hearing backlog and prevent its reocurrence
The Social Security Administration (“SSA”) recently released its “Performance and Accountability Report” for Fiscal Year 2008. The report is quite detailed but what is of
Social Security will process disability cases faster for “compassionate” cases
Acknowledging the long backlog of disability cases, the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) began a new program last month to process cases faster for people who
9th Circuit rules that claimant’s pain testimony is true absent ALJ providing specific clear and convincing reasons for rejection
On November 5th, 2008, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, CA, issued a new decision very helpful to claimants. In Vasquez v.
SL Bar Association offers continuing education credit to attorneys in real life
I am going to write a little off topic today about an upcoming event that will be taking place on the online virtual world of
Waiting times for a hearing in front of a Social Security Judge increase
The disability backlog at hearing offices across the United States is getting worse. According to a recent report released by the Social Security Administration (“SSA”),
How much money can I earn and still collect SSDI benefits?
I often am asked the question how much can I earn and still keep Social Security Disability Insurance benefits? (I am also asked the same

