Immigration In Ohio Made Easier for Ethiopian Priest

Our client a non-profit Ethiopian Orthodox Christian Church, retained Attorney Erin James of Herman Legal Group to assist with petitioning a religious worker to come to the Cleveland area.

Motion to Reopen a Special Immigrant Religious Worker Petition

On May 10, 2019, the USCIS Administrative Appeals Office ruled for a petitioner seeking a green card for a religious worker. The decision, a rare victory for a petitioner, found that a temple (gurudwara) submitted proper evidence to classify a beneficiary as a special immigrant religious worker - to work as a minister (granthi). The petition was based on a Form I-360 petition based, in turn, on the Immigration and Nationality Act (the Act) section 203(b)(4), 8 U.S.C. § l 153(b)(4).

2023-09-19T04:39:18-05:00Categories: Immigration Articles|Tags: , |

Checklist of Required Initial Evidence for Form I-360

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) agency has a checklist of items that they recommend religious workers seeing a green card and the religious organizations that sponsor these religious workers review. The list is for informational purposes. The religious workers and religious organizations should review all the religious worker green card requirements with an experienced immigration attorney.

2023-09-20T05:28:47-05:00Categories: Immigration Articles|Tags: , , |

Key Special Immigrant Religious Worker Definitions

It’s critical that religious organizations and individuals who file for a religious worker green card understand the relevant terms. For example, there is a large difference between religious occupation and a religious vocation. Just that one different word – occupation versus vocation - can open up a host of requirements and evidentiary issues.

Religious Worker Background, Authority and Eligibility Information

The USCIS recognizes that ministers of a religious denomination have a strong tradition in the US immigration law framework. Congressional approval for lawful permanent residency for qualifying ministers and their families dates back to the Immigration Act of 1924. In 1990, Congress crafted a special immigration category – for both ministers and other religious workers in the new Immigration and Nationality Act.

Immigration Status for Taiwanese Minister

Our client, a bilingual church in Ann Arbor, Michigan, wished to retain a capable and experienced minister on a long-term basis. Because Herman Legal Group had previously handled this minister’s religious worker status, we were also retained to apply for immigration status for him and his family.

2023-09-18T23:46:59-05:00Categories: Success Stories|Tags: , |
Go to Top