Does the US distinguish between those who enter the country illegally vs. those who enter legally but overstay their visa? What if you are married to a US citizen, can you adjust your status while in the US and not have to leave the country? Immigration lawyer Michael O'Rourke has the answers.
0:00: Illegal entry vs. Overstay
2:45: Entered the country illegally but want to remain in the US, or come back to the US
3:45: Process for getting back to the United States
8:08: Virtual weddings?
9:19: Overstayed your visa
10:57: What if you're married to a US citizen?
11:23: The 180 day rule
12:25 Unlawful presence
14:38 Contact Michael

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Does a divorce mean you might lose your marriage-based green card? Can border patrol question you about it and seize your green card? Immigration lawyer Michael O'Rourke has the answers.
0:00 Marriage-based green card
- Must be a bona fide marriage
- Can’t be for immigration purposes
0:51 I-130 petition
- conditional green card and 10-year green card
2:02 What happens if you get divorced?
- Can you lose your conditional green card?
- What happens if they want to take your card?
03:40 Vindictive spouse
- Accusation of sham marriage
- penalties for marriage fraud
5:57 CBP takes tries to take your green card
- Only a judge can take your permanent resident status away unless you give it up voluntarily
- Do not sign anything at the border that gives up your green card

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Vince Lalonde and Michael O'Rourke from Pace Law Immigration outline the highlights of the EB-5 visa for Canadian investors who want to live in the United States.

What is the EB-5 Visa?

• Who is it for?
  
  
• What does it cost?

Life in the US:

• lower taxes
  
  
• cheaper housing
  
  
• lifestyle options

Investment:

• flexible
  
  
• plentiful options
  
  
• safer (EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act)
  
  
• possible returns on investment

Green Card Advantages:

• better than a tourist/work visa
  
  
• no restriction on employment
  
  
• eventual access to Medicare
  
  
• no restrictions on ownership of property

Green Card Advantages:

• no required return to Canada
  
  
• no requirement to maintain a Canadian company (in the case of L-1)
  
  
• no ticking clock on visa expiry
  
  
• no arbitrary refusals upon renewal

Faster path to green card than employment or marriage-based routes, especially for Canadians.

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Does a divorce mean you might lose your marriage-based green card? Can border patrol question you about it and seize your green card? Immigration lawyer Michael O'Rourke has answers here.
0:00: Marriage-based green card
- Must be a bona fide marriage
- Can’t be for immigration purposes
0:51: I-130 petition
- conditional green card and 10-year green card
2:02: What happens if you get divorced?
- Can you lose your conditional green card?
- What happens if they want to take your card?
03:40: Vindictive spouse
- Accusation of sham marriage
- penalties for marriage fraud
5:57: CBP takes tries to take your green card
- Only a judge can take your permanent resident status away unless you give it up voluntarily
- Do not sign anything at the border that gives up your green card
https://pacelawfirm.com/immigration/

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Immigration lawyer Michael O'Rourke breaks down the rules for bringing a dog to the USA.
00:49 As of August 1, 2024, all dogs entering the United States must:
- appear healthy upon arrival
- be at least six months of age
- be microchipped (ISO-compatible)
- be accompanied by a CDC Dog Import Form online submission receipt
02:00 Why Now?
The rabies virus variant carried by dogs (dog rabies) was eliminated in the United States in 2007 and CDC wants to prevent the re-introduction of dog rabies into the United States.
02:23 Who does it apply to?
- includes puppies, service animals, and dogs that left the United States and are returning
- applies whether you are a US citizen, legal US resident, or foreign national
- if you don’t follow CDC’s rules, your dog won’t be allowed to enter the United States
- if denied entry, your dog will be sent back to the last country of departure at your expense
03:49 Geography Matters
- if you are from a country that has a high risk of dog rabies, you will need different documentation to get your dog into the country and may need to quarantine your dog
- if you are from a low risk country, you still need documentation, but the rules are less strict
04:30 How do I know what I need?
- use DogBot
- answer the applicable questions
- bring the proper documents to the border with you
- make sure you are entering at the airport, sea port or border crossing that is indicated on the CDC Dog Import receipt
08:42 Contact Michael O'Rourke
https://pacelawfirm.com/immigration/

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Michael O'Rourke talks about how to avoid having your green card taken away at the US border.
00:00 Green Card vs. Conditional Green Card. What's the difference?
01:49 Never give up your Green Card or sign anything if a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer wants to take your green card away. No matter how friendly or helpful they seem to be, don't do it without consulting a lawyer first.
04:33 Only a judge can take your green card away unless you willingly give it to CBP, even if you claim that you didn't know what you were doing when you gave it up.
5:05 If you separate or divorce when you have a conditional green card, it doesn't automatically mean that you lose your permanent resident status no matter what a CBP officer says at the border.
08:02 What should you say at the border?
09:34 Contact Michael with any questions at morourke@pacelawfirm.com.
https://pacelawfirm.com/immigration/

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How can you sponsor your foreign spouse to get a green card and US citizenship? Immigration lawyer Michael O'Rourke gives an overview of the spousal sponsorship rules and how long the process takes.

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Canada has announced a new immigration stream for health care workers which can lead to permanent residency in Canada. Immigration lawyer Michael O'Rourke provides the highlights:
- part of the Express Entry program
- by July 5, 2023, 2,000 health-care workers will have received invitations to apply for permanent residency in Canada
- more invitations in the coming months
- includes foreign doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, optometrists and more
https://pacelawfirm.com/immigration/

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