Marina Shepelsky

Warning: Trump Now Denying Asylum Cases Without a Hearing

The Trump Administration is reportedly developing a new regulation. It would allow U.S. immigration officers to deny certain asylum applications. Applicants would receive no interview before the decision. According to CBS News, internal government documents reveal a proposal to significantly change the processing of affirmative asylum cases. It could make it much harder for asylum seekers to get a full hearing on their cases. This alarming asylum without interview policy could affect thousands of pending and future asylum applicants across the United States.

What Is the Trump Asylum Without Interview Proposal?

Currently, most affirmative asylum applicants receive an interview with a USCIS asylum officer before the final decision. The proposed rule would permit immigration officials to quickly reject some applications. Officials would base their decision solely on information contained in the filing. Applicants would get no opportunity to explain their circumstances in person.

Why Is Trump Pushing to Eliminate the Asylum Interview?

The proposal appears to be part of a broader effort by the Trump Administration to restrict access to asylum protections. In recent months, the Administration proposed severe limitations on work permits for asylum applicants. It also rolled out a series of policies to tighten immigration enforcement. These policies aim to increase deportations.

What Happens When Asylum Seekers Don’t Get a Hearing?

Immigration advocates and attorneys have expressed serious concerns about the plan. Many legitimate asylum seekers suffer from trauma, language barriers, lack of legal representation, or difficulty obtaining evidence from their home countries. The asylum interview gives applicants their first real chance to explain inconsistencies and clarify misunderstandings. It also lets them present the full story of the persecution they suffered. Removing that opportunity could cause wrongful denials. It could also put vulnerable individuals at risk of removal to countries where they face persecution, torture, or even death.

How Many Asylum Cases Are Already Pending?

The proposal also comes at a time when the U.S. immigration court system is facing unprecedented backlogs. More than 2.3 million asylum cases are currently pending before the immigration courts nationwide.

What Could the Asylum Without Interview Rule Mean for Your Case?

The regulation is not final but signals the Administration’s continuing effort to make asylum protection significantly harder to obtain. If implemented, the rule could affect thousands of current and future asylum applicants throughout the United States.

What Shepelsky Law Group Recommends If You Have a Pending Asylum Case

Shepelsky Law Group strongly encourages anyone considering asylum to seek qualified legal counsel as early as possible. Proper preparation of the initial filing may become even more critical. Watch our immigration attorneys explain your asylum rights on YouTube. Immigration officers may soon gain greater authority to deny cases. They may do so without ever hearing directly from the applicant.

Is Your Asylum Case at Risk? Contact Shepelsky Law Group Today.

Do you have a pending asylum case? Are you thinking of filing for asylum in the U.S.? Contact Shepelsky Law Group today at (718) 769-6352. Our experienced immigration attorneys continue to fight for the rights of immigrants and asylum seekers during these rapidly changing times.

8 hours ago | [YT] | 0

Marina Shepelsky

Urgent Relief as Trump Clears Green Card Deportation Fears

Recent statements from DHS and USCIS sparked widespread concern among immigrants, employers, and immigration attorneys. Reports suggested that many green card applicants could face a requirement to leave the United States. They would then need to complete their immigrant visa processing abroad. This green card deportation scare prompted urgent questions from thousands of applicants currently waiting on pending cases.

What Triggered the Deportation Panic?

The confusion followed new discussions about USCIS discretionary authority in adjustment of status cases. Adjustment of status lets eligible individuals inside the United States apply for lawful permanent residence without leaving the country. USCIS has long treated adjustment of status as a discretionary benefit, not an automatic entitlement. That remains true even when an applicant meets all basic legal requirements. The latest news illustrates how green card deportation policies can change quickly and cause uncertainty among applicants.

What Did DHS Clarify About Deportation?

Following public concern, DHS clarified its position. Most immigrants seeking permanent residence will not face a required departure from the United States simply for filing a green card application. USCIS officers will continue making decisions on a case-by-case basis. They will apply existing immigration laws and regulations, including in cases that raise green card deportation concerns.

Why Does Leaving the U.S. Create Such Serious Risks for Green Card Applicants?

The clarification matters because many immigrants feared a forced move to consular processing abroad. That process can trigger lengthy delays, family separation, and employment interruptions. In some cases, it can also create inadmissibility issues tied to unlawful presence. Departing the United States carries serious legal risks that simply do not exist when adjustment of status happens domestically. In summary, careful attention to green card deportation risks is crucial for applicants.

Is Adjustment of Status Still Available Under Current USCIS Policy?

USCIS policy manuals confirm that adjustment of status remains available under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Eligible applicants must meet statutory requirements and merit a favorable exercise of discretion. The agency has also emphasized that eligibility determinations remain individualized and fact-specific.

What Green Card Applicants Still Need to Watch Out For

The Trump administration continues to pursue stricter enforcement measures throughout the immigration system. USCIS has expanded the use of Notices to Appear (NTAs) in certain denied cases. The agency has also increased scrutiny of applications and emphasized discretionary review during adjudications. Applicants must ensure that filings are accurate, complete, and strategically prepared before submission.

Who Is Most at Risk of Green Card Deportation Issues?

Every immigration case is different. Individuals with prior immigration violations, unlawful presence, removal proceedings, criminal history, or complicated immigration backgrounds face elevated green card deportation risks. They should seek qualified legal guidance before making any decisions. The wrong move can affect their ability to remain in the United States.

What the DHS Green Card Clarification Means for Your Case

The recent DHS clarification provides reassurance that adjustment of status remains available for most eligible applicants. However, the current immigration climate remains highly enforcement-focused, making careful case preparation more important than ever.

Green Card Through Marriage, Employment, Asylum or Other Pathways?

Are you considering applying for a green card through marriage, employment, asylum, VAWA, U visas, T visas, SIJS, or another immigration pathway? Understanding how current DHS and USCIS policies may affect your case is critical. That includes understanding your green card deportation risks before you file.

Worried About Green Card Deportation? Call Shepelsky Law Group Today.

Call Shepelsky Law Group today at (718) 769-6352 to discuss your options. Let’s develop a strategy tailored to your immigration situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Green Card Holders Be Deported Under Trump’s 2025 Policy?

Yes. Having a green card does not guarantee protection from deportation. Under Trump’s current enforcement policies, USCIS and ICE have significantly expanded the grounds for removing lawful permanent residents. More green card holders now face removal proceedings than ever before. Green card deportation risks include criminal convictions, fraud in the application process, unlawful presence issues, and national security concerns. If you received a Notice to Appear or have concerns about your green card status, contact an immigration attorney immediately.

What Are the Most Common Green Card Deportation Reasons?

The most common green card deportation reasons include criminal convictions, fraud or misrepresentation on immigration applications, abandonment of permanent residence, and certain public charge grounds. Even a DUI can trigger removal proceedings. The outcome depends on the state, the severity of the offense, and the individual’s immigration history. An expired green card alone does not automatically trigger deportation. However, traveling with an expired card creates complications at re-entry that can put your status at risk.

Can an Expired Green Card Lead to Deportation?

An expired green card does not by itself cause deportation. Your permanent resident status remains valid even if the physical card has expired. Traveling outside the United States with an expired green card creates serious re-entry risks. Those risks are even greater under current Trump administration enforcement policies. ICE and CBP officers hold broad discretionary authority at ports of entry. Renew your green card before it expires. Consult an immigration attorney before traveling internationally.

1 day ago | [YT] | 0

Marina Shepelsky

U.S. Immigration Authorities Accused of Extorting Money from Foreign Nationals


In recent months, U.S. immigration policy has been changing so rapidly that many immigrants and their families are struggling to keep up with the new rules. One of the most concerning trends has been the sharp increase in immigration filing fees. There are also new financial barriers for people trying to obtain or maintain lawful status in the United States.

Are Immigration Fees Being Used as a Tool to Block Immigrants?

According to many immigrant advocates and immigration attorneys (and I count myself among them), these are not merely administrative changes. Furthermore, critics argue that the federal government is using financial pressure as a tool to restrict immigration. They say people are being forced to pay substantial sums for processes that were once more accessible or did not require such significant fees.

How Much Does Immigration Cost Under the New Fee Structure?

Over the past year, new fees have been introduced or proposed for various categories of immigrants. Some humanitarian programs have become significantly more expensive.

We are talking about thousands of dollars. For example, today I consulted with a family from Ukraine with five children. They told me that renewing their parole status by filing Form I-131 for Re-Parole for seven family members would cost more than $7,000. They simply do not have that kind of money.

The cost of filing applications with immigration agencies and immigration courts has increased dramatically. In some cases, applicants must pay thousands of dollars simply to preserve their ability to pursue their cases. In addition, they must pay to avoid immediate deportation.

When New Restrictions Hit Mid-Process

Particularly troubling is the situation facing nationals of countries that have become subject to new travel restrictions. Many people have found themselves trapped in the middle of the immigration process. Not only have they already spent significant amounts of money on paperwork, medical examinations, government filing fees, and attorney representation, but now new restrictions may prevent them from completing their immigration journey.

Even more concerning is that nobody knows when these restrictions will lift. As the saying goes, nothing is more permanent than a temporary government measure.

Yesterday, I consulted with a man from Turkmenistan. He is currently in the process of obtaining a green card through a bona fide marriage to a U.S. citizen. However, due to the new restrictions affecting Turkmenistan, his case has stalled. To make matters worse, he is already in removal proceedings. Immigration judges are unlikely to indefinitely delay his case while awaiting the restrictions’ lifting. This leaves him at serious risk of deportation, despite having a legitimate path to lawful permanent residence.

How Much Does the Immigration Process Cost When the System Works Against You?

Critics of the administration argue that these policies are creating a system in which people continue paying the government to process applications and petitions. However, the chances of success become increasingly uncertain. According to immigrant rights organizations, this risks transforming the immigration system into an expensive bureaucracy. It could become out of reach for many middle- and lower-income families.

Additional confusion arises because implementation for many policy changes happens quickly, while official guidance often follows much later. As a result, applicants, employers, and even immigration professionals navigate constantly changing rules. Many people simply do not know which regulations are currently in effect. Moreover, they are unsure what costs they may face in the future.

Legal Immigration Is Getting Harder and More Expensive

We are also witnessing a broader trend toward making legal immigration more difficult. In addition to increased fees, there are new restrictions imposed on certain visa categories. Scrutiny has intensified. Processing times have grown longer. Several humanitarian and temporary protection programs are now under review.

It is important to remember that, despite these challenges, many immigration options remain available. Family-based petitions, asylum, VAWA petitions, U visas, T visas, various employment-based immigration categories, investor visas, and several humanitarian programs continue to provide lawful pathways for eligible individuals.

How Much Does an Immigration Lawyer Cost? Is It Worth It?

That is why it is more important than ever to obtain accurate information from reliable sources and consult with experienced immigration attorneys before filing applications. Mistakes are becoming increasingly costly, and choosing the right legal strategy early can make a critical difference for an entire family’s future.

The U.S. immigration system should remain a system governed by law, not by financial barriers. At Shepelsky Law Group, we continue to monitor these developments closely. We fight for our clients regardless of how complicated the rules become.

Contact Shepelsky Law Group. We Fight for You Regardless of How Complicated Things Get

If you have received a denial, are experiencing delays, have concerns about new filing fees, or are unsure how recent immigration changes may affect your case, contact Shepelsky Law Group. We carefully evaluate every case and help clients find lawful solutions even in today’s rapidly changing immigration environment. Additionally, we are prepared to file federal litigation where we need action from the Government and we are successful in this matter.

Now more than ever, it is essential to retain an immigration attorney from the very beginning and be prepared to fight for your immigration status. We have successfully represented immigration clients throughout all 50 states for many years. We continue to fight for clients every day.

Call Shepelsky Law Group today at (718) 769-6352 to schedule a consultation. We are ready to help protect your rights and guide you through the immigration process.

2 days ago | [YT] | 0

Marina Shepelsky

The U.S. Immigration Crackdown Is Costing Billions in Lost Taxes

I can’t pull specific YouTube video URLs from the Shepelsky channel directly. I’ll link to the channel for the YouTube references and use the internal blog links I found. Here’s the article:

How the Immigration Crackdown Is Affecting Undocumented Immigrant Tax Filing

Recent estimates show that the federal government could lose hundreds of billions of dollars in tax revenue over the next decade if undocumented immigrants become too afraid to file tax returns because of ICE enforcement and possible government data sharing. Many undocumented immigrants have been paying taxes for years, often using Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers, while also contributing through sales taxes, rent, property taxes, and payroll taxes.

Why Fear Is Stopping Undocumented Immigrants From Filing Taxes

Now, fear is changing people’s behavior. Immigrants who previously filed taxes may stop doing so because they worry their personal information could be used against them. This creates a chilling effect where people become afraid to work, file taxes, go to court, attend immigration appointments, or interact with government systems at all. Watch Marina Shepelsky explain what undocumented immigrants should do right now.

Why Undocumented Immigrant Tax Filing Matters for All Americans

This is bad policy. It punishes hardworking families, destabilizes communities, and can reduce the tax revenue that supports schools, roads, hospitals, and public services.

How the Crackdown Harms U.S. Citizen Children of Immigrant Families

The crackdown also affects U.S. citizen children. Many immigrant families include children who were born in the United States or who already have lawful status. If parents stop filing taxes because of fear, those children may lose access to important tax credits and financial support. Once again, immigration enforcement is not only targeting undocumented adults. It is harming entire families. Our attorneys discuss this further on our YouTube channel.

What Shepelsky Law Group Believes About Immigrant Tax Filing Rights

At Shepelsky Law Group, we believe immigration enforcement should not be used to terrify families into disappearing from daily life. Immigrants should not be afraid to seek legal advice, file lawful applications, pay taxes, or protect their children. Learn more about your options as an undocumented immigrant.

The Truth About Undocumented Immigrants and the U.S. Economy

The truth is simple: immigrants are part of the American economy. They work, pay taxes, rent homes, open businesses, raise families, and contribute to communities across the United States. Policies that push immigrants into fear do not make the country stronger. They create confusion, instability, and financial harm for everyone. Watch our attorneys break down immigrant rights under current enforcement policies on YouTube.

Afraid of ICE Enforcement? Talk to an Immigration Attorney First.

If you are undocumented, out of status, or afraid that immigration enforcement may affect your family, speak with an experienced immigration attorney before making decisions. Do not rely on rumors or fear. Our attorneys handle removal defense and family-based immigration cases nationwide.

Call Shepelsky Law Group today at (718) 769-6352 to discuss your immigration options. We are not afraid to stand up for immigrant families, and we are here to help you understand your rights.

3 days ago | [YT] | 0

Marina Shepelsky

Trump Administration Targets Immigration Lawyers Who Help Asylum Seekers

The Trump administration is now escalating its attacks on immigration lawyers who help people file asylum claims in the United States. A new DHS directive tells ICE attorneys to focus on lawyers accused of filing false asylum cases, claiming this is needed to fight fraud. But the broader message is clear: the government is trying to scare immigration lawyers away from representing asylum seekers.

This is dangerous. Filing for asylum is a legal right under U.S. immigration law. A person who fears persecution because of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group has the right to ask for protection in the United States. Helping someone prepare and file that claim is not fraud. It is lawful legal representation.

Of course, real fraud should never be tolerated. Lawyers have ethical duties. They cannot knowingly submit false facts or fake documents. But the administration’s language paints immigration lawyers as part of the problem simply because they represent immigrants. That is not law enforcement. That is intimidation.

The timing also matters. This directive follows other efforts to restrict asylum, speed up dismissals, detain people at immigration courts, and discourage immigrants from pursuing legal protection. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (“AILA” has warned that these attacks on immigration attorneys threaten due process and the right to legal counsel. (AILA)

For asylum seekers, this can create fear and confusion. Many already worry that going to court, filing paperwork, or hiring a lawyer could make them a target. Now the government is also sending a message to attorneys: if you fight too hard for your clients, you may be investigated, sanctioned, or accused of helping fraud.

That is exactly why legal representation matters more than ever.

A strong asylum case must be honest, detailed, and supported with evidence. Applicants should never exaggerate, invent facts, or submit fake documents. But they should also not be afraid to tell the truth and seek protection when they qualify under the law.

Immigration lawyers play a critical role in helping people understand the law, organize their evidence, prepare testimony, and present their claims properly. Without lawyers, many asylum seekers are left alone in a complicated system where one mistake can lead to deportation.

The government may try to discourage asylum filings by attacking the attorneys who handle them. But fear should not stop people from using the legal rights available to them.

If you are afraid to return to your country, speak with an experienced immigration attorney before making any decisions. A lawful asylum claim is not fraud. Seeking protection is your right.

Call Shepelsky Law Group today at (718)769-6352 to begin your own immigration journey. We are not afraid, we are here for you! Call us today.

4 days ago | [YT] | 0

Marina Shepelsky

USCIS New Adjustment of Status Memo: How Family-Based Green Card Cases May Change

The immigration lawyers at Shepelsky Law Group are closely monitoring a major new USCIS policy memo that could dramatically affect family-based green card applicants already inside the United States.

For decades, many immigrants married to U.S. citizens or petitioned by family members were able to apply for permanent residence through Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) without leaving the country. USCIS is now signaling that this process should be treated as an “extraordinary” discretionary benefit rather than the normal path to a green card.

In the days since USCIS released Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199, many immigrants and immigration attorneys have reacted as though adjustment of status inside the United States has effectively been abolished. It has not!!!

The memorandum attempts to recast adjustment of status [the process of applying for the Green Card inside the U.S.] as “an extraordinary discretionary relief” and “an act of administrative grace,” language clearly designed to signal a tougher adjudicatory climate and to discourage applicants from assuming approval is routine. This is a scare tactic and the Memo itself does not contain such strong language.

For most adjustment applicants, panic is the wrong response.

The right to apply for adjustment of status is not simply a matter of administrative goodwill, despite the tone of the memorandum. Adjustment of status is a statutory benefit created by Congress under INA §245. USCIS may exercise discretion in adjudicating applications, but a policy memorandum cannot erase eligibility that Congress expressly placed into law.

For decades, adjustment of status has served as the legal mechanism allowing eligible immigrants already present in the United States to obtain lawful permanent residence without departing for consular processing abroad. That framework still exists today. The memorandum does not eliminate adjustment eligibility for family-based applicants, employment-based applicants, humanitarian applicants, or investors. It does not rewrite the statute. What it does do is signal that USCIS officers may apply heightened discretionary scrutiny in certain cases.

The purpose of this alert is to separate the parts of the adjustment process the memorandum cannot realistically reach — which is most straightforward cases — from the narrower category of cases where increased scrutiny is likely to land.

For clean adjustment applicants with a current priority date or immediately available visa category, lawful entry where required, and no significant adverse discretionary factors, the legal foundation for filing remains intact. These applicants are standing on statutory ground, not merely administrative grace.

What Is Changing?

Under the new memo, USCIS officers are being instructed to apply much stricter discretionary review when deciding Adjustment of Status cases. The memo emphasizes that many applicants may instead be expected to complete immigrant visa processing abroad through a U.S. consulate.

This means USCIS officers may now look more aggressively at:

Prior immigration violations
Visa overstays
Unauthorized employment
Misrepresentation or fraud allegations
Past unlawful presence
Compliance with prior visa conditions
Criminal history or arrests
Public safety concerns
Whether the applicant originally entered the U.S. temporarily but intended to immigrate permanently
The memo also reinforces that Adjustment of Status is discretionary, meaning even technically eligible applicants could still face denials if USCIS believes negative factors outweigh positive ones. (Erickson Immigration Group)

How USCIS May Apply This Memo in Real Cases

Increased Scrutiny of Marriage-Based Green Cards

USCIS officers will likely conduct deeper reviews of:

Bona fide marriage evidence
Joint financial records
Living arrangements
Social media history
Prior marriages
Timeline inconsistencies
Intent at entry into the United States
Applicants who entered on tourist visas and quickly married or filed for Adjustment of Status may now face more aggressive questioning about preconceived immigrant intent.

More Requests for Evidence (RFEs)

We expect to see:

Longer RFEs
More interview notices
Additional fraud investigations
More requests for updated financial evidence
Expanded background and security checks
Family-based applicants should be prepared for USCIS to ask for significantly more documentation than before.

USCIS Officers May Focus More on “Negative Factors”

The memo appears to encourage officers to weigh discretionary concerns heavily. This could especially impact applicants with:

Old removal orders
Prior asylum denials
Previous immigration fraud accusations
Unauthorized work history
Prior unlawful presence
Multiple entries into the U.S.
Prior arrests, even without convictions
Even issues that previously may not have automatically prevented approval could now become central to the officer’s discretionary analysis.

More Cases Could Be Pushed Toward Consular Processing

One of the most concerning aspects of the memo is USCIS’ emphasis that temporary visas were never intended to become a direct pathway to permanent residence from inside the U.S. (The Times of India)

This raises concerns that some applicants may increasingly be expected to leave the United States and process their immigrant visas abroad through consular processing.

That can create serious risks, including:

Triggering unlawful presence bars
Family separation
Delays abroad
Difficulty returning to the U.S.
Additional consular scrutiny
Who Could Be Most Affected?

Family-based applicants who may face the greatest impact include:

Spouses who entered on B-1/B-2 tourist visas
Applicants with prior overstays
Individuals with prior removal proceedings
Applicants with criminal history
Those with prior denied immigration applications
Applicants accused of fraud or misrepresentation
Mixed-status families
Applicants with complicated immigration histories
Humanitarian-based applicants may still receive favorable consideration in some circumstances, especially where hardship or safety concerns exist. (Facebook)

What Family-Based Applicants Should Do Now

Prepare Stronger Evidence Packages

Applicants should now assume USCIS will examine cases much more aggressively. Strong documentation is critical.

This may include:

Joint leases
Joint taxes
Bank statements
Photos over time
Insurance records
Affidavits from friends and family
Evidence of shared responsibilities
Proof of ongoing relationship history
Include proofs of hardship to the applicant and their US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident spouse, parents and children.
Avoid Filing Without Reviewing Immigration Risks

Many people who previously believed they were “safe” to file may now face greater risks depending on their immigration history.

Before filing, applicants should carefully review:

Entry history
Prior visa applications
Prior immigration violations
Unauthorized employment
Unlawful presence
Criminal history
Prior statements made to immigration officers
Expect Longer Processing Times

Because USCIS officers may now perform expanded discretionary analysis and vetting, delays are likely.

Additional interviews, RFEs, and investigations may increase overall processing times for family-based green card cases.

Will This Memo Face Legal Challenges?

Very likely.

Immigration attorneys and advocacy groups are already raising concerns that the memo conflicts with decades of Adjustment of Status practice under INA §245. Several legal experts expect federal litigation challenging the policy. (Forbes)

However, unless courts intervene, USCIS officers are expected to begin applying this guidance immediately to pending and future cases.

Final Thoughts

This new USCIS memo represents one of the most significant recent shifts in family-based immigration adjudications. While Adjustment of Status remains legally available, USCIS is signaling that approvals may become far more discretionary and heavily scrutinized.

Family-based immigrants should not panic — but they should prepare carefully, document thoroughly, and understand the risks before filing.

If you or your family member may be affected by these new USCIS policies, the attorneys at Shepelsky Law Group can evaluate your case strategy and help you prepare the strongest possible filing.

5 days ago | [YT] | 1

Marina Shepelsky

6 insider secrets about EB-2 NIW that many people find out way too late

1. Filing EB-2 NIW with Premium Processing right now often leads to much stricter scrutiny and denials. This is based on the current experience of many of my colleagues and our own firm’s experience.

2. If you only have 1–3 years of work experience, your chances of denial are very high. It’s not enough to show impact.

3. Simply having a “good profession” and a higher education degree is no longer enough — USCIS wants to see real national importance. You must show how you can immediately become valuable to the United States and help advance the U.S. as a leader in your field.

4. Publications without citations or real impact often carry very little weight. Artificially inflated PR-agent publications can even lead to a fraud denial.
5. Many cases are lost because of weak recommendation letters, not because of the résumé itself.

6. USCIS is now reviewing not only your achievements, but whether your work will specifically benefit the United States — not just your personal career. Even if you currently have an impressive job, you still need to prove that you are among the top leaders in your field.

To file a winning EB-2 NIW case, contact Shepelsky Law Group today: 718-769-6352.

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 0

Marina Shepelsky

Trump Administration Pushes Banks To Increase Scrutiny Of Immigrant Customers

The Trump administration has announced a major new push to tighten banking oversight involving immigrants and non-citizens in the United States. Trump signed an Executive Order telling U.S. Banks to check banking clients more closely as to immigration status. While the administration stopped short of forcing banks to collect proof of citizenship from every customer, the new executive order signals a broader effort to pressure financial institutions into conducting deeper reviews of immigrant account holders and borrowers.

For many immigrants, this raises serious concerns about privacy, access to banking services, and future financial stability.

What Is Changing?

Under current banking rules, banks already must verify a customer’s identity under anti-money laundering laws known as “Know Your Customer” (KYC) and Customer Identification Program (CIP) requirements. Typically, this includes collecting:

Name
Address
Date of birth
Identification documents
Tax identification number or Social Security number
Importantly, banks historically were not required to determine whether someone had lawful immigration status.

The Trump administration now wants immigration status to become part of the “risk analysis” banks use when deciding whether to open accounts, extend loans, issue credit cards, or monitor transactions.

What Additional Vetting Does Trump Want Banks To Do?

According to the administration’s order and related policy discussions, banks may soon be encouraged — or pressured — to:

Request additional immigration-related documentation
Review whether customers possess lawful immigration status
Examine employment authorization records
Closely monitor accounts tied to ITIN numbers instead of Social Security numbers
Investigate foreign consular identification cards
Flag unusual cash activity or payroll deposits connected to undocumented labor
Review beneficial ownership structures tied to immigrant-owned businesses
Report patterns regulators consider suspicious under anti-money laundering rules
The administration also wants regulators to revise portions of the Bank Secrecy Act to expand what information banks may seek from customers.

In practical terms, this could mean more requests for documents from immigrant customers who already have longstanding bank accounts.

Increased Focus On ITIN Holders

One major target appears to be accounts opened using Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs).

Many undocumented immigrants and certain non-citizens legally use ITINs to pay taxes and access financial services. Under the administration’s new approach, banks may be encouraged to treat ITIN-based banking activity as a “red flag” requiring enhanced review. (Reuters)

This could affect:

Checking and savings accounts
Mortgages
Auto loans
Small business lending
Credit cards
Immigrants who have paid taxes for years using ITINs may suddenly face additional scrutiny despite no allegation of wrongdoing.

Could Banks Ask For Immigration Papers?

At this moment, there is still no nationwide law requiring banks to demand passports, visas, green cards, or proof of lawful status from every customer. Banks pushed back heavily against earlier proposals because they argued the requirements would be expensive, disruptive, and legally questionable.

However, the executive order opens the door for future regulations that could allow banks to request:

Immigration documents
Work permits
Visa records
Proof of lawful presence
Citizenship information
Some financial institutions may also begin adopting stricter internal policies even before formal regulations are issued.

Immigrant-Owned Businesses Could Face More Scrutiny

The administration is also emphasizing concerns about shell companies, hidden ownership structures, payroll tax evasion, and off-the-books labor arrangements. (Reuters)

As a result, immigrant entrepreneurs and small business owners may experience:

Additional compliance reviews
Requests for ownership documentation
Delays in opening business accounts
Increased anti-fraud investigations
More aggressive transaction monitoring
This may especially affect businesses that:

Frequently use cash
Send or receive international wire transfers
Operate in industries regulators consider “high risk”
Employ workers with mixed immigration statuses
Why Are Shepelsky Law Group Attorneys and Other Immigration Lawyers Concerned?

Many immigrants advocates fear these changes could push immigrants out of the formal banking system entirely.

When immigrants lose access to legitimate banking services, they may become:

More vulnerable to exploitation
Less likely to report crimes
Forced into unsafe cash-only systems
Unable to build credit history
Unable to obtain housing or business financing
Critics also warn that increased financial surveillance may create fear within immigrant communities even for people who are lawfully present.

What Immigrants Should Do Right Now

If you are a non-citizen living in the United States, it is important to stay proactive:

Keep your identification documents updated with your bank
Save copies of immigration documents and employment authorization
Monitor notices from your financial institution carefully
Avoid ignoring requests for updated verification
Consult both an immigration attorney and financial professional before responding to unusual banking inquiries
Immigrants with pending asylum, TPS, U visas, VAWA cases, adjustment applications, or work permits may especially benefit from obtaining individualized legal advice before sharing sensitive immigration information with financial institutions.

The situation is evolving quickly, and additional regulations may still be announced in the coming months.

To start your own journey to legalizing in the U.S. call Shepelsky Law Group today at Tel: (718)769-6352.

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 0

Marina Shepelsky

NY Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks ICE Arrests at NYC Immigration Courts

A federal judge in New York has temporarily stopped ICE from carrying out most civil immigration arrests inside and around several Manhattan immigration courts. This is an important development for immigrants, asylum seekers, and families who are afraid to attend required court hearings because of the risk of detention.

At Shepelsky Law Group, our NYC immigration lawyers know how stressful immigration court can already be. No one should have to choose between showing up for court and risking immediate arrest by ICE.

What Happened?

The judge’s order temporarily blocks ICE from making most civil immigration arrests in or near certain Manhattan immigration court locations, including:

26 Federal Plaza
201 Varick Street
290 Broadway
This means that, for now, ICE generally cannot use these courthouse areas as places to detain immigrants who are appearing for scheduled immigration proceedings.

The ruling is temporary while the lawsuit continues, but it is still a major step toward protecting immigrants’ access to court.

Why This Ruling Matters

Many immigrants are legally required to attend immigration court hearings. If they miss court, they may be ordered removed in their absence. But when ICE arrests people at or near courthouses, it creates fear and discourages people from attending hearings.

That puts immigrants in an impossible position.

This ruling recognizes a basic principle: people should be able to go to court, appear before a judge, and defend their immigration case without being afraid that ICE will arrest them simply for showing up.

Does This Mean ICE Cannot Arrest Anyone?

No. This is not a complete ban on ICE enforcement.

The order applies to certain courthouse-related arrests in Manhattan immigration court locations. ICE may still conduct arrests in other situations, and there may be exceptions depending on the facts of a case.

Immigrants with prior removal orders, criminal issues, missed court dates, or complicated immigration histories should still speak with an experienced immigration attorney before going to court.

What Should Immigrants Do If They Have Court?

If you have an upcoming immigration court hearing, do not skip it. Missing court can seriously hurt your case and may lead to a deportation order.

Instead, you should:

Speak with an immigration lawyer before your hearing
Confirm your court date, time, and location
Bring all required documents
Attend with your attorney if possible
Know your rights if approached by ICE
Even with this new ruling, every case is different. The safest step is to get legal advice before your hearing.

Shepelsky Law Group Can Help

Our immigration legal team in New York City represent immigrants in deportation defense, asylum cases, ICE detention matters, bond hearings, appeals, and federal court litigation in all the 50 states.

If you or your loved one is afraid to attend immigration court or worried about ICE detention, contact Shepelsky Law Group today by calling (718)769-6352 to set up your time to speak to one of our legal team members. We can review your case, explain your risks, and help you prepare a legal strategy.

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 0

Marina Shepelsky

New Proposal by The American Immigration Council Calls for a More Humane Immigration Enforcement System

The U.S. immigration enforcement system is broken. Instead of creating a credible and humane process, the current approach often jeopardizes public safety, separates families, and harms American communities. It has also trapped the immigration debate into a false choice: either mass deportation or no enforcement at all.

That is why the American Immigration Council, a major influential U.S. immigration rights organization, has released a new framework to chart a better path forward and published a major paper about it here: www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/report/immigrat….

This new report from the American Immigration Council proposes a different way for the United States to handle immigration enforcement. The proposal is called Restoring Credibility and Humanity: A New Framework for Immigration Enforcement, and it was published on May 12, 2026. This is not a new law yet. It is a policy proposal meant to guide Congress and the federal government toward a fairer immigration system.

The American Immigration Council is a respected and influential national immigration policy organization whose research and legal advocacy are often cited in immigration debates and used to influence lawmakers, courts, advocates, and the public. With this report, they created a real way for lawmakers to make the current (terrible) immigration system better for Americans and give immigrants a true due process as the U.S. Constitution intended.

For many immigrants, the current system feels confusing, harsh, and unfair. In many cases, people who have lived in the United States for years, worked, paid taxes, raised families, and avoided criminal trouble still have no realistic way to fix their immigration status. The report argues that the government should not treat every immigration violation the same way.

The proposal focuses on four main ideas: compliance, safety, proportionality, and accountability.

1. Compliance: Give People a Way to Follow the Rules

The report says that many undocumented immigrants would comply with the law if the law gave them a realistic way to do so. Right now, many people cannot simply pay a fine, register, or apply for legal status, even if they have lived in the U.S. for decades and have no criminal record.

The proposal suggests creating a process where some undocumented immigrants could enter a compliance program instead of being immediately placed into deportation. This could include civil penalties, requirements to follow immigration rules, and eventually a possible path to lawful permanent residence for people who meet the requirements.

2. Safety: Focus Enforcement on Real Public Safety Threats

The report argues that immigration enforcement should focus on people who pose real safety risks, not on families, workers, students, and long-term community members who have no serious criminal history.

This is important because when immigrants are afraid that any interaction with police could lead to deportation, they may stop reporting crimes, seeking help, or cooperating with law enforcement. That can make communities less safe for everyone.

3. Proportionality: The Punishment Should Fit the Situation

One of the biggest points in the report is that deportation should not be the automatic answer for every immigration violation.

For example, someone who overstayed a visa many years ago, has U.S. citizen children, works, pays taxes, and has no criminal record should not be treated the same as someone who recently committed a serious violent crime.

The proposal says immigration judges should have more power to look at the full facts of a person’s case and decide whether deportation is truly necessary.

4. Accountability: Immigration Agencies Must Follow the Law Too

The report also calls for stronger oversight of immigration agencies like ICE and DHS. It says that when immigration officers abuse their power, violate rights, or act unlawfully, there must be real consequences.

The proposal recommends stronger internal oversight, more Congressional oversight, and more ability for courts to review unlawful government actions.

What This Means for Immigrants

This proposal does not immediately change anyone’s immigration status. It does not create a new green card program today. It does not stop deportations right now.

But it is important because it shows that immigration experts are pushing for a system that is more realistic, more humane, and more focused on actual public safety.

For immigrants, the message is simple: the current system is broken, but there are serious proposals being made to fix it. A fair immigration system should not only punish people. It should also give people a meaningful chance to comply with the law, keep families together when possible, and reserve the harshest consequences for the most serious cases.

Immigration Lawyer – Shepelsky Law Group’s Advice

If you are undocumented, have an old deportation order, overstayed a visa, or are afraid of ICE, do not assume you have no options. Some people may qualify for asylum, VAWA, a U visa, a T visa, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, family-based immigration, employment-based immigration, or other forms of relief. These relief options still work and lead to green card approvals!

Before making any decision, speak with Shepelsky Law Group by calling Tel: (718)769-6352. Every case is different, and the right legal strategy depends on your history, family, immigration record, criminal record, and available evidence.

1 month ago | [YT] | 0