Students, News Alerts, Professionals Angela Torregoza Students, News Alerts, Professionals Angela Torregoza

News Alert: Expanded screening and vetting requirement for visa applicants effective October 1st

Effective October 1, 2026, the U.S. Department of State expands its online presence and public social media vetting requirements for visa applicants. This policy shift extends comprehensive digital screening to foreign journalists (I visas) and USMCA professionals (TN/TD visas), aligning them with requirements already in place for student (F/M) and exchange visitor (J) visa holders. Learn more in our News Alert.

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Artists, Nonimmigrant Visas, Success Stories Angela Torregoza Artists, Nonimmigrant Visas, Success Stories Angela Torregoza

Success Stories: 3-year initial O-1 visa for Ecuadorian Actor/Comedian and television personality at the U.S. Consulate in Guayaquil

We recently received an approval for an O-1B Artist Visa for a commercially-successful comedian and television personality. The beneficiary is an Ecuadorian national and applied for a visa at the U.S. Consulate in Guayaquil with a petitioning U.S. entity. Congratulations to our clients!

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FAQ, News Alerts Angela Torregoza FAQ, News Alerts Angela Torregoza

News Alert: USCIS Policy Reframes Adjustment of Status as "Extraordinary Relief" as Agency Pushes Consular Processing

On May 21, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) dropped a major policy shift with the publication of Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199, titled “Adjustment of Status is a Matter of Discretion and Administrative Grace, and an Extraordinary Relief that Permits Applicants to Dispense with the Ordinary Consular Visa Process,” sending shockwaves through the immigration community. It fundamentally changes the framework through which immigration officers view Form I-485, Adjustment of Status (AOS) applications. Learn more in our FAQ/News Alert.

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Citizenship, Families Angela Torregoza Citizenship, Families Angela Torregoza

Success Stories: CRBA and U.S. Passport Issued to Teenage Child Born Out of Wedlock at the U.S. Consulate in Manila

We recently received an approval for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) and the issuance of a U.S. passport for the teenage daughter of a U.S. citizen and a Philippine national who was born-out-of-wedlock over ten years ago, at the U.S. Consulate in Manila. Congratulations to our clients!

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Español, News Alerts Angela Torregoza Español, News Alerts Angela Torregoza

Alerta de noticias: Se suspende el procesamiento de visas de inmigrante para ciudadanos de 75 países

El Departamento de Estado de Estados Unidos ha anunciado un cambio significativo en la política de inmigración, que afectará a los ciudadanos de 75 países considerados de "alto riesgo" de dependencia de los beneficios públicos. Siguiendo una directiva de la administración Trump, el gobierno suspenderá la emisión de todas las visas de inmigrante para estas nacionalidades a partir del 21 de enero de 2026. Obtenga más información en nuestra Alerta de Noticias.

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Immigrant Petition Angela Torregoza Immigrant Petition Angela Torregoza

News Alert: Immigrant Visa Processing Paused for Nationals of 75 Countries

The U.S. Department of State has announced a significant shift in immigration policy, impacting nationals from 75 countries deemed at "high risk" of public benefits usage. Following a directive from the Trump administration, the government is pausing the issuance of all immigrant visas for these nationalities effective January 21, 2026. Learn more in our News Alert.

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Humanitarian, Immigrant Petition, Success Stories Angela Torregoza Humanitarian, Immigrant Petition, Success Stories Angela Torregoza

Success Stories: Immigrant Visa approved for Unmarried Daughter of U.S. Citizen at the Consulate in Guayaquil

We recently received an immigrant visa approval for an unmarried daughter of a U.S. citizen whose mother passed away and whose U.S. citizen sister became the substitute sponsor at the Consulate in Guayaquil. Congratulations to our clients!

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Nonimmigrant Visas, Artists, Success Stories Angela Torregoza Nonimmigrant Visas, Artists, Success Stories Angela Torregoza

Success Stories: O-1 Visa Approval for Brazilian Technical Fashion Apparel Designer at the Consulate in Rio De Janeiro

We recently received an O-1 extraordinary ability petition approval for a Brazilian Technical Fashion Apparel Designer & Product Developer at the U.S. Consulate in Rio De Janeiro petitioned by her U.S. employer. Congratulations to our clients!

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Waivers, News Alerts Angela Torregoza Waivers, News Alerts Angela Torregoza

News Alert: Important Update on Interview Waivers for Nonimmigrant Visa Renewal Applicants

To address the lengthy backlogs at consulates overseas, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, has determined that interview waivers for some nonimmigrant applicants are in the national interest. Find out which applicants are exempt from the interview requirement.

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Nonimmigrant Visas, Artists, Success Stories Angela Torregoza Nonimmigrant Visas, Artists, Success Stories Angela Torregoza

Success Stories: O-1 Artist Visa Renewal Granted for Comic/Comedian at the Consulate in Guayaquil

We recently received an approval for an O-1B Extraordinary Ability in the Arts renewal petition for a Comic/Comedian for the full three years. The beneficiary is an Ecuadorian national and applied for a visa at the U.S. Consulate in Guayaquil with a petitioning U.S. entity. Congratulations to our clients!

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Immigrant Petition, Families, Entrepreneurs Angela Torregoza Immigrant Petition, Families, Entrepreneurs Angela Torregoza

What is the Visa Bulletin? How do I read the Visa Bulletin?

The Visa Bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant visas during a specific month and includes Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing Applications, indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified by DOS to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center. Learn more on how to read the bulletin and find out developments for October 2023 and November 2023.

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Artists, Nonimmigrant Visas, Success Stories Angela Torregoza Artists, Nonimmigrant Visas, Success Stories Angela Torregoza

Success Stories: O-1 Visa Renewal for Comic/Comedian from Ecuador granted for three years

We recently received an approval for a 3-year O-1B Extraordinary Ability in the Arts renewal application for an Ecuadorian Comic/Comedian. The beneficiary applied for a visa at the U.S. Consulate in Guayaquil with a petitioning U.S. entity. Congratulations to our clients!

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Nonimmigrant Visas, Artists, Success Stories Angela Torregoza Nonimmigrant Visas, Artists, Success Stories Angela Torregoza

Success Stories: O-1 Visa Approved for Award-Winning Actress/Comedian at the U.S. Consulate in Guayaquil

We recently received an approval for an O-1B Artist Visa for an Ecuadorian National who is an award-winning comic actress and comedian of extraordinary ability. The beneficiary is an Ecuadorian national and applied for a visa at the U.S. Consulate in Guayaquil with a petitioning U.S. entity. Congratulations to our clients!

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