Becoming a Resident Just Got Easier! The Biden Administration Eliminates Strict New Public Charge Requirements We’re throwing a big celebration at STERN Law because we received some amazing news: The Biden administration will not continue to appeal the Trump administration’s strict new public charge rules at the Supreme Court level. Instead, Biden’s team accepted the lower court’s ruling that the intense financial scrutiny within those rules was illegal. What does this mean for you? Well, it means that the increased public charge requirements for immigrants seeking residency in the U.S. are officially gone, and you have a clearer path forward to residency! This is exciting news if you have a pending application with the United State Citizenship and Immigration Services agency (USCIS) or if you’re considering applying for residency for the first time. Under the Trump administration, there were invasive and challenging financial requirements for immigrants who wanted to become U.S. residents. USCIS put applicants’ finances under a microscope, essentially challenging them to prove they were “worthy” of becoming residents. We were still able to help our clients gain residency, but it was a difficult process with many hoops to jump through, including filling out an extra 20-page Form I-994. Those new public charge rules made it harder for young people without much work experience or seniors without significant income streams to gain residency. Now, that burden has been lifted! We’re back to the old, tried-and-true, less invasive set of rules. Applicants will still have to prove financial security and have a sponsor, but it will be a much easier process. If you haven’t filed for residency because you were worried about whether you would pass the strict financial screening of the new public charge rules, now is the time to move forward! Our team is here to help. We can examine any charges or arrests on your record and make sure you’re legally eligible for residency. You can reach us by phone at 404.476.5820.
April is National Humor Month, but with everything going on in the world, it’s understandable if you don’t feel like laughing. Still, you should do your best to keep your chin up for the sake of your health and your loved ones. If you’re struggling to maintain a positive mindset right now, try one of these five tricks. Laugh in the Face of Stress! 5 WAYS TO MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE UNDER PRESSURE
1. Practice mindfulness. People who practice mindfulness are more aware of their feelings, bodies, and surroundings. That means they notice the small, beautiful things that make life worth living! To cultivate mindfulness, you need to slow down. Choose one or two daily activities, like eating a meal or brushing your teeth, and pay close attention to every moment as you do them. With practice, this habit will carry over to other areas of your life. 2. Keep a gratitude journal. Find a journal you love, and at the end of every day, write down one, three, or five things you’re grateful for. This will remind you of the best parts of your life and improve your outlook every night before bed. When you need a pick-me-up, just open your gratitude journal. 3. Give yourself a pep talk. Most of the time when we talk to ourselves in our heads, it’s to tear ourselves down. But you can use self-talk to build yourself up, too. To try this, write down your negative thoughts (e.g., “You can never do anything right!”), then cross them out and replace them with positive truths (e.g., “I always learn frommy mistakes, and I’m getting better.”) Repeat these affirmations any time negativity creeps in. 4. Try meditating. Meditation can reduce anxiety, relieve stress, and even help you sleep better. Doesn’t that sound like a mood boost? There are dozens of meditation strategies out there, so to get started, download a free app like Smiling Mind or Insight Timer to be your guide. 5. Smile, even if you don’t feel like it. Like the tail wagging the dog, smiling can actually make you feel happier! According to Psychology Today, the muscles in your face send feedback to your brain that can impact your emotions. So, next time you hear a joke, see someone you love, or pet a dog, smile to improve your mood.
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