Expedited Removal Under INA §235(b)(1): How to Fight Charges Under §212(a)(7)(A), §212(a)(6)(C)(i), §212(a)(6)(E), and §212(a)(2)(C)

Being placed in expedited removal at a US airport or border is one of the most severe immigration actions Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can take. Under INA §235(b)(1), CBP officers have authority to remove a traveler immediately, without a hearing before an immigration judge. In many cases, CBP does not rely on just one … Read more

EB1A Green Card for Product Managers & Technical Program Managers

Many Product Managers (PMs) and Technical Program Managers (TPMs) assume they do not qualify for the EB1A Extraordinary Ability green card because they are not researchers, professors, or inventors. That assumption is wrong. In practice, senior Product Managers and TPMs are some of the strongest EB1A candidates when their work demonstrates leadership, innovation, and major … Read more

EB1A and NIW Green Cards for Exxon Employees

How Energy, Engineering, and Technology Professionals at Exxon Qualify for US Permanent Residence Exxon and ExxonMobil operate at the core of the global energy ecosystem, employing highly skilled engineers, scientists, technologists, environmental specialists, and operations leaders whose work directly affects US energy security, infrastructure resilience, and economic stability. Because of the national importance of energy … Read more

EB1A and NIW Green Cards for Schlumberger (SLB) Professionals

Schlumberger, now known globally as SLB, is one of the world’s most influential energy technology companies, operating across Nigeria, Angola, Egypt, Ghana, and other key energy regions. SLB professionals work on critical drilling technologies, subsurface modeling, digital energy platforms, carbon management, and global energy infrastructure that directly impact U.S. economic and energy security. Because of … Read more

EB1 and NIW for Chevron Employees in Africa: How Energy Professionals From Nigeria and Beyond Secure US Green Cards

Chevron operates extensively across Africa, including Nigeria, Angola, Egypt, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, and Congo, employing highly skilled engineers, scientists, project managers, and energy specialists whose work directly impacts US energy security, global supply chains, environmental protection, and technological innovation. Many Chevron employees working in Africa are excellent candidates for US permanent residence through the EB1 … Read more

Criteria for EB-1 Green Card: Full Guide + Real Approval Success Stories

The EB-1 Green Card is one of the most prestigious US immigration pathways, offering fast processing, no PERM labor certification, and eligibility to self-petition in many cases. But EB-1 approval requires meeting strict legal criteria, especially under today’s tighter review standards. If you are a researcher, engineer, athlete, entrepreneur, or business executive, understanding the EB-1 … Read more

EB1A Final Merits Determination: How USCIS Decides Approval and How to Win

Many EB1A applicants believe that once they meet at least three regulatory criteria, approval is guaranteed. Unfortunately, that is not how USCIS adjudicates EB1A cases. Even after satisfying the initial criteria, USCIS performs a Final Merits Determination which is the most critical and misunderstood stage of the EB1A process. This is where many otherwise strong … Read more

FBI Name Check and I-485 Delays: What It Means and How to Get Your Green Card Approved

If your Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) has been pending for months or even years with no decision, an FBI name check may be the reason. FBI name check delays are one of the most common and most frustrating causes of stalled green card applications. At The Messersmith Law Firm, we regularly help clients break … Read more

Prosecutorial Discretion in Immigration: What It Is and How It Can Stop Deportation

Prosecutorial discretion (PD) is one of the most powerful and misunderstood tools in US immigration law. When used correctly, it can pause deportation, close immigration court cases, cancel removal orders, and protect families from separation. At The Messersmith Law Firm, we help immigrants and their families request and obtain prosecutorial discretion from ICE, DHS, and … Read more

DUI and I-485 Application: What Applicants Must Know Before Filing Adjustment of Status

If you are applying for a US green card through Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) and have a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) on your record, you are not alone. This is one of the most common concerns we see and one of the most misunderstood areas of immigration law. A DUI does not automatically … Read more