Richard Link

J.D.

Richard Link is currently a legal editor at the national office of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). He previously practiced immigration law in Rochester, New York.

Mr. Link received his law degree in 1990 from the  University of California Davis School of Law  (King Hall), where he served as senior research editor for the  U.C. Davis Law Review  and earned the certificate in public interest law. His undergraduate degree in Language Studies was obtained at the University of California, Santa Cruz in 1986.


Articles By Richard Link

Will Legal Use of Marijuana Make Applicant for Immigration Benefits Inadmissible?
If you know anything at all about U.S. law, you probably know that it comes down hard on any sort of drug use. So what does that mean for a visa applicant who’s coming from a country with more permissive laws? Let’s take a reasonably likely scenario: You lived in Amsterdam for a while and smoked
How Past Immigration or Criminal Fraud Might Lead to Future U.S. Visa Denial
Is a history of visa fraud a permanent stain on your immigration record?
Filling Out Form I-912 for an Immigration Fee Waiver
Government filing fees for immigration processing can be expensive. However, if you don’t earn much money and you don’t have a lot of assets, you can ask USCIS for a waiver.
Will USCIS Check My Criminal Background If I Apply for Citizenship?
After you apply for naturalization, USCIS takes your fingerprints for a reason.
Who Has the Power to Change U.S. Immigration Law?
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled early on that immigration regulation was an exclusive responsibility of the federal government. From time to time state and local (city or county) governments attempt to make laws that affect immigration, but they’re usually unsuccessful.
How to Tell U.S. Immigration Authorities That You're Now a Citizen, So Your Family Are Now Immediate Relatives
Need an upgrade for your relatives? Here's how, including a sample letter to the National Visa Center (NVC).
Asking USCIS for Humanitarian Reinstatement of I-130 Petition
You can request humanitarian reinstatement of a petition if it had already been approved when your relative died.
Can Green Card Holders Use Medical Marijuana in States Where It's Legal?
If you live in a state that has legalized the medical use of marijuana, there is no requirement under any of the state laws that you be a U.S. citizen to use medical marijuana.
Married Permanent Resident, Living in the U.S.: When Can I Adjust Status and Get Green Card?
When you marry someone who has lawful permanent resident status in the U.S. (a “green card”), you can apply for permanent resident status too.
Can I Afford to Apply for U.S. Citizenship?
Applying for U.S. citizenship could be expensive or it could be cheap--it all depends on your financial circumstances.