We provide legal services to immigrants and their families. Our practice is limited to immigration and naturalization law. The attorney, Ms. Miller, takes pride in providing excellent, personalized attention directly to each client. We offer flat flees for most of our legal services, so you will know what your out-of-pocket costs will be for processes such as naturalization and obtaining permanent-resident status (green card). In addition, we use the most up-to-date technology, which allows you to provide information to us via the Internet and track your case online. Sylvia A. Miller, Attorney at Law, PLLC, is located in the West Seattle neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. We welcome clients from all over Washington State. Please call us at (206) 789-0200 to discuss your case.
News
» January 30, 2020 Because of recent U.S. Supreme Court action, USCIS plans to implement the October 15, 2019, rule on public charge starting with new permanent resident (green card) applications received on February 24, 2020. That means if you want to be under the old rules for new permanent resident applications within the U.S., you need to file in the next two weeks. I need all documents and completed questionnaires from you no later than February 10, 2020, in order to be able to file prior to the deadline.» June 17, 2019 USCIS will implement a national strategy to decrease differences in processing times based on location for Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, and Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. As we shift caseloads between field offices to decrease processing times, we may schedule applicants to appear for an interview at a field office outside of their normal jurisdiction. Applicants may receive an interview appointment notice or other types of notices (such as a Request for Evidence) from a field office outside of their normal jurisdiction. However, these caseload changes will not affect where applicants attend their biometrics appointments. We will still direct them to the nearest application support center. Applicants should follow the instructions on any notices they receive from USCIS. USCIS remains committed to adjudicating applications, petitions, and requests for immigration benefits as effectively and efficiently as possible in accordance with all applicable laws, policies, and regulations while securing the integrity of the immigration system.
» September 11, 2018 A new USCIS policy starts today. In many cases USCIS will no longer send a Request for Evidence if you are missing a piece of evidence. This means that if you file an application or petition they may simply deny your case and keep your filing fee(s) instead of sending you a letter telling you what you are missing. It will mean a loss of time and money for many people as if it is denied, you will have to pay the filing fees again and send a whole new set of documents to USCIS. Finally, because of change in another policy earlier this year, this also puts applicants at risk for being put into removal (deportation) proceeding, as in many cases when USCIS denies a case, it will be referred to immigration court for removal proceedings.
» January 10, 2018 - The 9th Circuit ruled yesterday that the Trump Administration decision to end DACA was arbitrary and capricious and issued an injunction so that USCIS is now required to accept DACA renewals as it did before September 5, 2017. Here is the link to the opinion of the court: https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/4345906/1-9-18-DACA-Opinion.pdf
If you have DACA and it is expiring you should apply as soon as possible to renew it.
» October 1, 2017 DACA recipients whose status expires on or before March 5, 2018, may file to renew their DACA and Employment Authorizations. However, USCIS must receive your renewal applications no later than October 4, 2017. I will not accept new clients for renewals after September 22, 2017. No new DACA applications are being accepted. No DACA travel authorization will be issued as of September 5, 2017.
» June 26, 2017 This is bad news for those of us who oppose the travel ban. I am disappointed that the Supreme Court agreed to take the case. For once I agree with Justice Thomas: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/26/us/politics/supreme-court-trump-travel-ban-case.html
» June 16, 2017 DACA is here to stay, at least for now. See New York Times article at: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/16/us/politics/trump-will-allow-dreamers-to-stay-in-us-reversing-campaign-promise.html
» March 6, 2017 The Trump Administration has issued a new travel ban. The ban will be challenged in court as it is without a rational basis. See New York Times article: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/06/us/politics/travel-ban-muslim-trump.html.
» February 9, 2017 The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has refused to reinstate President Trump's travel ban. Read more at https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/09/us/politics/appeals-court-trump-travel-ban.html.
» December 23, 2016 USCIS filing fees have increased for most applications and petitions. Please check with me about the increase in the filing fees for your case.
» October 24, 2016 USCIS fee increases will take effect in mid-December. For instance the new Naturalization Application filing fee will be $640 and the new Petition for Alien Relative filing fee will be $535. If you want to make sure that your application or petition is filed prior to the fee increase, please assure that all required documents have been received by my office no later than November 30, 2016.
» July 28, 2016 Beginning in late August of 2016, immigrants who have a lawful permanent resident spouse or parent who would suffer extreme hardship if the waiver were not granted (in addition to those who have U.S. citizen spouses or parents) may apply for a Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver within the U.S.
» June 23, 2016 The decision of the U.S. Supreme Court today is disappointing. A four to four split means the lower court decision holds. See this New York Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/24/us/supreme-court-immigration-obama-dapa.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur&_r=0
» May 18, 2016 USCIS is proposing increased filing fees for most applications and petitions. Consider filing soon to avoid paying the increased fees.
» March 14, 2016 Our office is moving to West Seattle as of April 11, 2016!
» January 21, 2016 Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Obama Immigration Actions: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/20/us/politics/supreme-court-to-hear-challenge-to-obama-immigration-actions.html
» November 10, 2015 The Obama Administration will appeal yesterday's ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on the Deferred Action for Parent of American children. See the New York Times article at: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/11/us/politics/supreme-court-immigration-obama.html
» March 25, 2015. On April 17, 2015, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals will hear appeal of the stay of the Obama Administration Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals expansion and Deferred Action for Parents programs. Read more...
» February 20, 2015. The Department of Justice will seek an emergency court order to allow the Obama Administration to move forward with the Deferred Action Programs Read more...
» February 17, 2015. A Texas judge issued a temporary injunction causing a delay in the ability to file for the expanded Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals. It will not change anything for those covered under the original Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. The order will be appealed by the Obama Administration. However, until this ruling is reversed the temporary injunction will prevent the program from moving forward. Note that legal scholars and experts in the area of immigration law believe the ruling will be reversed. http://www.scribd.com/doc/255992850/Order-of-Temporary-Injunction-Texas-v-United-States
» November 21, 2014 On November 20, 2014, President Obama announced some significant immigration reforms. Please call my office (206) 789-0200, extension 112, if you have questions or want to schedule an appointment. Though we cannot yet file applications, I can start you getting ready to file now. There are other changes but these are three of the most important ones.
First, sometime between now and May of 2015:
- people who have no (or a very minor) criminal history;
- who have been here since January 1, 2010;
- who were present in the United States on November 20, 2014; and
- who have at least one United States Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident child
Second, sometime between now and February, 2015:
- people who entered the United States before they turned sixteen;
- who have been here since at least January 1, 2010;
- who have no (or a very minor) criminal histories; and
- have graduated from high school, obtained a GED or are in school at the time of application
The age limited has been lifted, so no matter how old you are now or how old you were in June 2012, if you meet the other qualifications you may apply. Third, the Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver will now also be available to spouses and children of Legal Permanent Residents and adult children of Legal Permanent Residents and United States Citizens. Additionally, President Obama has asked for a precise definition of extreme hardship and in what circumstances will someone be presumed to have met the extreme hardship standard. Please call my office (206) 789-0200, extension 112, if you have questions or want to schedule an appointment.
» November 19, 2014 Obama to announce executive action on immigration reform on November 20, 2014. To watch file White House website link: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/11/19/tune-president-addresses-nation-immigration-reform?cache
» November 13, 2014 The National Visa Center announces that many original documents no longer have to be sent to the National Visa Center. Instead, applicants will mail in copies and take originals to the visa interview.
» October 3, 2014 Obama states he will take administrative action on immigration reform in November or December of this year. See CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/03/politics/obama-immigration-reform-this-year/index.html
» May 30, 2014 United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announces that starting June 1, 2014, USCIS will limit the validity period for all Forms I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, to one year from the date of submission to USCIS.
» April 16, 2014 President Obama�s statement on Immigration Reform see: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/04/16/statement-president
» March 13, 2014 Obama Orders Review of Deportations - President Obama told Hispanic lawmakers that he was eager to see whether the nation's existing immigration laws could be applied in a more humane way. Read more
» January 2, 2014 Happy New Year! 2014 could be the year of U.S. immigration reform.
» December 12, 2013 Nancy Pelosi says immigration reform is on hold in the U.S. House for the rest of 2013, see this link to Politico: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/12/nancy-pelosi-immigration-reform-101014.html
» September 18, 2013 NWIRP (Northwest Immigrant Rights Project) and the ACLU won a case about the constitutionality of prolonging the detention of people in Washington State to question them about their national origin, citizenship or immigration status. See NWIRP�s website for more information at: http://nwirp.org/news/viewmediarelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=10060.
» July 10, 2013 Don't forget to like us on Facebook: Seattle Miller Facebook Page.
» July 1, 2013 Same sex couples are now eligible to apply for legal permanent resident status for their spouses. Call me for an appointment to discuss whether you and your spouse qualify.
» June 27, 2013 The U.S. Senate just passed a massive immigration reform bill 744 by a vote of 68 to 32. Now on to the fight in the U.S. House of Representatives!
» June 7, 2013 The full U.S. Senate is all set to start debate the huge immigration reform bill, with possible vote by the end of this month. In the meantime, U.S. House Republicans voted to stop Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, but this largely symbolic vote is unlikely to make it past President Obama�s desk or for that matter the U.S. Senate. If you have a Republican House Representative you might want to call their office and tell them how you feel about their vote.
» June 7, 2013 Congratulations to a Bellevue, Washington fifth-grader who won the American Immigration Council�s national writing contest, see more at their website: http://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/community/creative-writing-contest-past-winners
» April 16, 2013 The Gang of Eight in the U.S. Senate released an outline to the proposed bill for a massive immigration reform. Here is the link to the outline of The Border Security Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013.
» March 5, 2013 Today, I filed first Form I-601A, Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver for a client.
» January 2, 2013 Department of Homeland Security�s Secretary Napolitano announced today that starting on March 4, 2013, immediate relatives who require a waiver for unlawful presence only, may apply for a provisional waiver while in the U.S. Read more.
» October 17, 2012 ABC News transcript of portion of the October 16, 2012, Presidential debate related to immigration.
» September 11, 2012 In depth Report on the Tacoma Detention Center published by InvestigateWest: A rare look inside Tacoma's Northwest Detention Center
» June 15, 2012 Obama administration is offering Deferred Action to qualified DREAMERs age 15-30! Call our office if you think you might qualify.
» June 5, 2012 Rights Working Group releases a new report on NSEERs and calls for a full dismantling of the program. Read more.
» May 12, 2012 Visit the new new Seattle Miller Facebook Page.
» April 26, 2012 Northwest Immigrant Rights Project files a class action suit against U.S. Custom and Border Patrol and others for violations of the 4th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. See this link for a copy of the complaint (pdf).
» February 9, 2012 New research shows soaring rates of denials and Requests for Evidence for employment based petitions for H-1Bs and L-1. A new report issued by the National Foundation for American Policy details the results.
» January 09, 2012 ICE agents refuse to implement training on Prosecutorial Discretion: Read more.
» January 7, 2012 Obama administration officials announced on Friday they are proposing a fix to a Catch-22 in immigration law that could spare hundreds of thousands of American citizens from prolonged separations from illegal immigrant spouses and children. Read more on the New York Times. or read the new rules.