Green Card For Siblings: Petitioning A Brother Or Sister
TL;DR: A U.S. citizen who is at least 21 can petition for a brother or sister, but the sibling [...]
About Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch
I am the managing partner of Lincoln-Goldfinch Law. Upon graduating from the University of Texas for college and law school, I received an Equal Justice Works Fellowship in 2008, completed at American Gateways. My project served the detained families seeking asylum. After my fellowship, I entered private immigration practice. My firm offers family-based immigration, such as green cards and naturalization, deportation defense, and humanitarian cases such as asylum, U Visa, and VAWA. Everyone at Lincoln-Goldfinch Law is bilingual, has a connection to our cause, and has demonstrated a history of activism for immigrants. To us, our work is not just a job.Review Your Family Petition Before Filing In Austin
TL;DR: A family petition case review checks whether your I-130, relationship proof, sponsor documents, and green card path are [...]
What If The I-130 Petitioner Dies In Austin?
Brief Overview: If an I-130 petitioner dies, the case is serious, but it may not be over. Survival options [...]
Why Dallas Family Petition Cases Get Complicated
TL;DR: A family petition case becomes complicated when USCIS needs more proof of the relationship, the sponsor’s eligibility, or [...]
Who Can Qualify For A 245(i) Grandfathering
Overview: 245(i) grandfathering may still help someone apply for a Green Card inside the United States if an eligible [...]
Petition For A Spouse: Bringing Your Husband Or Wife Home
TL;DR: Petitioning for a spouse starts with Form I-130 and proof that your marriage is real. A U.S. citizen [...]
Check Your Immigration Court Date Safely
Key Takeaways: To check your Immigration Court Date, use your A-Number in EOIR’s Automated Case Information System and confirm [...]
Denied Asylum? What Immigration Court Means
TL;DR: If USCIS denied asylum and sent your case to court, you usually have a new chance to present [...]
The Complete I-130 Documents Checklist By Relationship
TL;DR: Every Form I-130 needs three things: proof you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, proof of your [...]
Do I Need A Lawyer To File Form I-130?
TL;DR: You are not required to hire a lawyer to file Form I-130, and a clean, straightforward case can [...]
How Long Does Form I-130 Take? Processing Times Explained
TL;DR: As of mid-2026, a Form I-130 for an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen generally takes 10 to [...]
How To Fill Out Your Form I-130 Step By Step
TL;DR: Form I-130 has nine parts spread across twelve pages, and most problems come from small inconsistencies, not hard [...]
Can A Deported Parent Take A Child Abroad?
Summary: A deported parent may be able to take a U.S.-citizen child abroad, but custody orders, the other parent’s [...]
Petition For Parents: Bringing Your Mother or Father Home
TL;DR: Only a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 can petition for a parent, and a parent counts [...]
Why USCIS Sent A Second Prima Facie Notice
TL;DR: A second Prima Facie Notice usually means USCIS renewed your Notice of Prima Facie Case while your VAWA [...]
Does Prima Facie Give You Legal Status?
TL;DR: A prima facie determination in a VAWA case means USCIS reviewed your initial evidence and found it credible [...]
What To Do In The First 24 Hours After ICE Arrest
TL;DR: The first 24 hours after an ICE arrest are critical. Family members should gather the detainee's full legal [...]
ICE Hold, Detainer, Or Deportation Order?
TL;DR: An ICE hold (detainer) is a request from Immigration and Customs Enforcement asking a jail to keep someone [...]
Bars After Deportation: When Can You Return?
TL;DR: After deportation, U.S. immigration law imposes a reentry bar of 5, 10, or 20 years depending on how [...]
Can You Apply For Asylum Again After A Denial?
TL;DR: A previous asylum denial does not always close every door. Depending on how and where the case was [...]
What Evidence Helps A Mandamus Case?
TL;DR: A writ of mandamus asks a federal court to order USCIS, the State Department, or another agency to [...]
Can You Work After Asylum Is Denied In Austin, Texas?
TL;DR: Sometimes yes, sometimes no, and the answer depends on who denied the case and where it goes next. A USCIS [...]
When Is A USCIS Delay Bad Enough For A Mandamus Lawsuit?
TL;DR: A long USCIS delay does not automatically make a mandamus case strong. The real issue is whether the [...]
USCIS Says I-130 Approved, What Happens After That?
TL;DR: An approved I-130 is not a Green Card. It confirms that USCIS recognizes the qualifying family relationship, but [...]
Adjustment Of Status Vs. Consular Processing For Marriage
TL;DR: Adjustment of status or consular processing for marriage depends on more than the wedding itself. If you are [...]
Tourist Visa Green Cards & The 90-Day Rule Explained
TL;DR: The 90-day rule for tourist Visa Green Cards is not a true USCIS safe-harbor rule. It comes from [...]
Who Pays For Deportation Flights After Removal In The US?
TL;DR: In most standard removal cases, the U.S. government arranges and pays for the deportation flight through ICE, not [...]
Why Trucking Companies Are Checking Immigrant Drivers’ CDLs?
TL;DR: If your company suddenly starts asking about your CDL, your renewal date, or your immigration papers, you are [...]
Can Your Immigration Status Still Qualify You For A CDL?
TL;DR: As of March 16, 2026, FMCSA allows non-domiciled CLPs and CDLs only for people in H-2A, H-2B, or [...]
Will You Lose A Non-Domiciled CDL At Renewal In 2026?
TL;DR: You may not lose your non-domiciled CDL the moment the 2026 rule took effect, but your next DMV [...]
