Staying in an abusive marriage because you think your immigration status depends on it is one of the most common (and most painful) misconceptions our attorneys see. It's not true, and Congress built more than one way out.

In this episode, we break down the relief options available to abuse survivors married to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, including:

• The VAWA self-petition: how you can sponsor your own green card without your abuser's knowledge or cooperation
• The I-751 waiver: removing conditions on your residency without a joint filing if your marriage was rocky due to abuse
• Special rule cancellation of removal: a path to residency for survivors already in removal proceedings
• The U Visa:  for survivors whose abuser has no immigration status, and who cooperate with law enforcement

These aren't the same process, even though they're often grouped under one label. Each applies at a different stage, for different people, with different requirements, and understanding which door applies to you matters.

If you or someone you know is navigating this, you don't have to figure it out alone. Visit wilneroreilly.com to schedule a consultation.

This video is for general informational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized legal advice.

On this episode, immigration attorney Richard Wilner sits down with Alessandre "Alex" Dos Santos, a Brazilian entrepreneur who built his career as an exclusive distributor for action sports brands like Arnett, Globe, and Electric before doing things the right way: filing an L-1A visa, then an EB-1C, to bring his business and family to the United States.

Alex shares the full journey: from childhood trips to Disney that sparked his connection to America, to growing his distribution business across multiple brands, to the moment his son Eric's autism diagnosis pushed him to explore relocating the family for better support and resources. He opens up about the sacrifices of the immigration process — including the year-plus stretch without being able to visit family in Brazil — and the emotional path to citizenship, including Eric's unforgettable citizenship interview where he refused any accommodations and studied to pass on his own.

Topics covered:

• Building a distribution business in Brazil across multiple action sports brands
• Why Alex chose the L-1A → EB-1C path instead of shortcuts
• How a son's autism diagnosis shaped the decision to relocate the family
• The reality of the green card process (including travel restrictions during the wait)
• Eric's citizenship interview and choosing not to waive the civics/English test
• Finding school resources and IEP support for a child with special needs in the U.S.
• Advice for entrepreneurs and professionals considering their own path to America

Thinking about your own immigration path? Contact us at wilneroreilly.com 📞 

 Disclaimer: This video is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney about your specific situation.

You signed the I-864 to bring your spouse to the United States — but did you know that contract survives even after your marriage ends in divorce?

Think signing Form I-864 is just a formality? Think again. In this episode, immigration attorney breaks down why the Affidavit of Support isn't a moral gesture, it's a legally binding contract with the U.S. government AND the immigrant you sponsored.

Learn why:
 ✅ Your I-864 obligations can outlive your marriage — even after divorce
 ✅ Sponsored immigrants can sue U.S. citizens for breach of contract
 ✅ Prenups and family court support orders do NOT override I-864 obligations
 ✅ There's a dollar-for-dollar credit that can reduce what you owe
 ✅ Plaintiff's lawyers are now advertising these lawsuits on contingency

Practicing immigration law exclusively since 1999, our attorneys have seen a sharp rise in I-864 breach of contract lawsuits over the past year. If you've been served with one of these lawsuits, or you're a sponsor who wants to understand your risk, this episode is for you.

Contact us at wilneroreilly.com!

🔔 Subscribe for more on immigration law, sponsorship obligations, and family-based immigration issues.

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

⚖️ Disclaimer: This video is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney about your specific situation.

In this episode of the ImmiGreat Podcast, Richard Wilner breaks down a major policy shift from the Department of Homeland Security that affects F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and I visa holders (foreign media representatives).

On July 17, 2026, DHS ended nearly 50 years of precedent (since 1978) by eliminating "duration of status" for these visa categories. Instead of being admitted for as long as they maintain academic progress, students and exchange visitors are now capped at a fixed four-year period, or the length of their specific program, whichever is shorter.

In this episode, we cover:

• What "duration of status" was, and why DHS just ended it
• The new 4-year admission cap for F-1, J-1, and I visas
• How the I-94, visa stamp, and I-20 actually control your legal status
• The grace period shrinking from 60 days to 30 days
• How the clock resets with each new academic level (high school → college, college → grad school)
• Why international student-athletes face unique risk — redshirting, medical/Olympic exceptions, and the transfer portal
•  What PhD candidates and other long-program students need to do to extend their stay
• The new biometrics and re-vetting process tied to extension requests
• Key dates: the rule isn't effective until September 15, 2026, and only applies going forward — current students already here won't be automatically switched to the fixed term
  
  Richard's advice: pay attention, plan appropriately, and don't wait until the deadline is close. There's no substitute for knowing exactly how this rule applies to your situation.
  
  For a consultation on your immigration case, visit https://www.wilneroreilly.com
  
  #F1Visa #J1Visa #StudentVisa #ImmigrationLaw #DHS #USCIS
  
  DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every immigration case is unique — consult a licensed immigration attorney about your specific situation.

On this episode, Richard M. Wilner, Board Certified Specialist in Immigration Law by the State Bar of California and Shareholder of Wilner & O'Reilly, sits down with Renato "Babalu" Sobral, former Brazilian wrestling champion, Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion, two-time UFC title challenger, and owner of Babalu's Iron Gym in Cerritos, CA. Babalu shares his journey from wrestling in Brazil at age nine to fighting some of MMA's biggest names, and how he built a life in America — from his P-1 athlete visa, to earning a green card through extraordinary ability, to becoming a U.S. citizen.

Richard and Babalu talk about the rivalry between Luta Livre and Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil, his transition from fighter to business owner and teacher, raising two daughters between two cultures, the immigrant mindset, and his advice for anyone planning their own path to America.

Topics covered:

• Babalu's wrestling roots in Brazil
• Crossing over from Luta Livre to Jiu-Jitsu
• Fighting in the UFC and Strikeforce
• Getting a P-1 visa and green card through extraordinary ability
• Becoming a U.S. citizen
• Raising his daughters between Brazilian and American culture
• Transitioning from fighter to gym owner at Babalu's Iron Gym
• Teaching kids confidence through martial arts
• Advice for immigrants planning their move to the U.S.

🔗 Follow Renato "Babalu" Sobral:  https://www.instagram.com/babalusirongym/
🔗 Follow Babalu's Iron Gym: https://www.instagram.com/babalubjj/

Have immigration questions? Contact us! https://www.wilneroreilly.com/contact/

The ImmiGreat Podcast, hosted by Richard Wilner, provides practical, real-world insight into complex immigration topics affecting individuals, families, and employers. Each episode is designed to help listeners better understand their options and next steps.

Attorney Richard Wilner breaks down the May 21st USCIS memorandum (PM 602-0199) that's caused confusion and panic in the immigration community regarding adjustment of status.

Does this memo mean you have to leave the U.S. to get your green card? Is adjustment of status now "extraordinary relief" instead of a normal process? Richard clears up the misinformation and explains what the law actually says.

In this episode, we cover:
- What adjustment of status is and how it works
- The truth behind the "extraordinary relief" language in the memo
- Why adjustment of status has always been discretionary — not new
- How immigration officers use discretion (and its limits)
- What to expect in interviews post-memo
- Unlawful employment forgiveness for immediate relatives
- Why preparation matters more than ever

Adjustment of status remains a valid path to a green card. The law hasn't changed — but agency practices have shifted, and preparation is key.

For a consultation on your immigration case, visit https://www.wilneroreilly.com

#AdjustmentOfStatus #ImmigrationLaw #GreenCard #USCIS #ImmigrationAttorney

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every immigration case is unique — consult a licensed immigration attorney about your specific situation.

The World Cup is here and so are some fascinating immigration stories! In this episode, Immigration Attorney and Board Certified Specialist of the State Bar of California, Richard Wilner, breaks down the real-world US immigration issues playing out on the world's biggest soccer stage.

Topics covered:

• How the US expanded visitor visas for World Cup players and referees (and why most players don't have athlete visas)
• The Somali referee Omar Tons — why a valid visa didn't guarantee entry into the US
• The difference between a visa (Dept. of State) and admission (Customs & Border Protection)
• A Ghana player denied entry into Canada due to pending UK criminal charges — and why the same charges wouldn't bar him from the US
• Why Canada's border rules are stricter than the US (including DUI convictions)
• What happens to your visa if you're arrested for a DUI while already in the US
• Argentina's child support notifications to FIFA and the US government — and what that means for travelers

For more information on US immigration law, visit: www.wilneroreilly.com

In Episode 14 of the ImmiGreat Podcast, Richard Wilner sits down with Chito Vera, UFC Bantamweight contender, ranked in the UFC's top 10, and the fighter with the most finishes in UFC Bantamweight history. But this conversation isn't about the highlights or the submissions. It's about the story behind the fighter.

Chito left Ecuador not because of a dream to become a professional athlete, but because his daughter needed a doctor who was in Los Angeles. What followed was one of the most honest and moving accounts of the immigrant experience you'll hear: sacrifice, uncertainty, longing, and ultimately, a family built in a new country the right way.
In this episode, Chito and Richard discuss:
👉 Growing up in Chone, Ecuador
👉 Becoming a young father and husband, and the moment everything changed with his daughter Anna's diagnosis of Moebius Syndrome
👉 Leaving his family behind in Ecuador to train in the U.S. and the doubt that came with those lonely weekends
👉 How the UFC's P-1 athlete visa works
👉 Why his team made the switch from a P-1 to an O-1 visa for extraordinary ability 
👉 Moving his entire family to California with $6,000, no social security, and no plan 
👉 How he ultimately obtained his green card based on extraordinary ability as an athlete
👉 What permanent residency has meant for his family, his daughter's education and medical care, and his peace of mind
👉 The immigrant mentality 
👉 Walking Paris Fashion Week, Stone Island campaigns, and how one organic relationship led to another
👉 What becoming a U.S. citizen would mean to him and why he's working toward it

Chito's story is a reminder that doing things the right way is rarely the easiest way. But it is the way that lasts.

Have immigration questions? Contact Wilner & O'Reilly:
Website: www.wilneroreilly.com/contact
Blog: www.wilneroreilly.com/blog

The ImmiGreat Podcast, hosted by Richard Wilner, brings you real conversations about the real immigration experience from the legal process to the human story behind it. Each episode is designed to inform, inspire, and remind you that you are not alone in this journey.

In Episode 13 of the ImmiGreat Podcast, Richard Wilner addresses one of the most common questions he receives right now: Is this the right time to apply for U.S. citizenship? 

As a Founding Shareholder of Wilner & O'Reilly and a Board-Certified Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law, Richard's answer is clear — if you're eligible, the answer is an absolute yes.

In this episode, Richard walks through everything you need to know about the naturalization process, including:
• Who qualifies for naturalization and when you can apply
• The 5-year and 3-year paths to citizenship (including the 90-day early filing rule)
• Physical presence requirements and what "continuous residence" actually means
• Good moral character, English, and civics exam requirements
• Step-by-step breakdown of the N-400 application process
• What happens at your USCIS interview — and how to prepare
• The Oath of Allegiance ceremony and what it means to walk out a U.S. citizen

If you've built your life in the United States, met every requirement this country has asked of you, and earned the right to apply... don't let fear or uncertainty hold you back. Citizenship is the most powerful legal protection available to you as a permanent resident, and this episode explains exactly how to get there.

Contact Wilner & O'Reilly: https://www.wilneroreilly.com/contact/

For more insights, visit our Immigration Blog: https://www.wilneroreilly.com/blog

The ImmiGreat Podcast, hosted by Richard Wilner, provides practical, real-world insight into complex immigration topics affecting individuals, families, and employers. Each episode is designed to help listeners better understand their options and next steps.

On April 27, 2026, something significant happened that is impacting immigration applications across the country; and if you have a pending case, this is essential listening.

In this episode, Richard Wilner, Board Certified by the State Bar of California as a Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law and Founding Shareholder of Wilner & O'Reilly, breaks down the new USCIS vetting procedures tied to expanded FBI criminal database access and what it means for your pending application.

Key Topics Covered in This Episode:

• What Changed on April 27, 2026: Why immigration lawyers across the country began receiving notifications about widespread adjudication delays.
• The FBI Database Connection: How Executive Order 12385 expanded the FBI's criminal history sharing with the Department of Homeland Security and what that means for your case.
• Who Is Affected: Naturalization, adjustment of status, and asylum applicants and the one exception to the new fingerprint re-vetting requirement.
• Your Rights Under the Law: How the Administrative Procedures Act protects applicants from unreasonable government delays.
• The Writ of Mandamus: The federal legal tool that can compel the government to act on your case and what it really takes to fight it today.

A delay is not a denial. But waiting indefinitely is not your only option. As Richard Wilner explains, if your case is clean and the delay is unreasonable, you have rights and you have options.

For more information or to discuss your case, visit us at www.wilneroreilly.com.