Allen & Pinnix, P.A. Legal Blog

On June 19, 2025 at AILA’s Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony, Jack Pinnix was recognized with a President’s Commendation for ”Exemplary Service to the President and AILA”.

Nearly all foreign nationals must report a change of address to USCIS within 10 days of moving. Failing to do so may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor and could result in fines and imprisonment. This requirement excludes A and G visa holders and visa waiver (ESTA)...

The Laken Riley Act, signed into law by the President on January 29, 2025, mandates DHS to detain certain undocumented foreign nationals arrested for theft-related offenses, assaults on law enforcement officers, or crimes causing serious bodily injury or death, such...

In this heightened era of security, travelers entering the United States should anticipate stricter scrutiny from immigration inspectors. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officers had begun asking ESTA travelers for social media account information upon entry — the...

President Trump ended the enforcement priority system put in place by President Obama and modified by President Biden, which classified targets for removal based upon the seriousness of their crimes, among other factors. While during the first term of President Trump,...

Alien smuggling is a ground of inadmissibility that is often overlooked when applying for admission, seeking adjustment of status, or applying for a provisional waiver. U.S. immigration law (INA §212(a)(6)(E)) states “[a]ny alien who at any time knowingly has...

Many foreign nationals might mistakenly think that once they’ve secured their permanent resident card (green card), it is not possible to lose their permanent status. However, multiple and prolonged absences from the United States may jeopardize a foreign national’s...

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was created to promote open, transparent government. The Act has provided people the right to request access to records from any federal agency, including USCIS. FOIA states that any person has the right to request records or...

Marijuana possession, while considered to be innocuous by many, can present risks to permanent residents and those seeking admission to the United States. While many states have decriminalized or legalized the possession of marijuana, it remains a federal offense to...