3 Immigration Mythbusters From Leading Attorney

On a recent Price of Business show, Host Kevin Price interviewed Angela Torregoza, Founder and Immigration Attorney at LegalEase.us, a boutique New York City-based immigration law firm dedicated to making immigration law simple and easy to understand. With over a decade of experience in the field of immigration and an immigrant herself hailing from the Philippines, Angela has successfully assisted families with their permanent residency applications, individuals applying for U.S. citizenship, artists with their work visas, and entrepreneurs starting their business in the United States. Since 2019, Angela’s work has been recognized by Super Lawyers, an honor reserved for only 2.5% of attorneys in the New York Metro for exhibiting excellence. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the Filipino American Lawyers Association of New York (FALANY), the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and the New York Women’s Bar Association (NYWBA) where she serves on the Immigration Committee. Angela is admitted to the New York State Bar and the U.S. Supreme Court Bar. She is grateful for this opportunity to shed light and provide some clarity about the U.S. immigration system and to be able to do so in such a prestigious platform.

They discussed 3 Common Myths about the U.S. immigration system.

MYTH #1: People cannot travel abroad now. If you are able to travel, you cannot return to the U.S. This is a huge misconception. Despite what is being showcased in the media, currently, individuals of all immigration statuses, whether you are a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or nonimmigrant visa holder are able to freely travel abroad for business or pleasure. Generally, if you have a U.S. passport, green card or nonimmigrant visa in your foreign passport, you are able to travel without any issues. This I can share from personal experience having traveled extensively this summer to three continents and five countries, as well as from professional experience shared by my clients. However, if you have any immigration issues or contact with the criminal justice system, it is best to speak with an immigration attorney first before making any travel plans abroad.

MYTH #2: The USCIS is not approving any applications at this time. This is also a myth. Recent processing experience shows that USCIS, the agency that is in charge of immigration benefits, continues to approve meritorious cases. Further, according to statistics released by the agency, between January to March 2025, in the first few months of this current administration, USCIS approved 162,116 (60%) of family petitions out of the 269,864 submissions it has received, denying 21,665 (8%) with the remaining applications (32%) pending adjudication. Similarly, in the same time frame, out of the 273,998 green card/permanent residency applications it has received, USCIS approved 178,549 (65%) and denied 21,306 (7%) with the remaining applications pending as of that date. Finally, out of the 290,981 naturalization applications (including military service members and those requesting medical/disability accommodations), the USCIS approved 260,829 (89.64%) with no denials for those requesting medical/disability accommodations.

MYTH 3: I am banned from entering the United States because I am a national of one of the countries in the Travel Restriction issued in June 2025. This is another misconception. On June 4th, President Trump issued a presidential proclamation enacting restrictions on immigration and travel to the U.S. for citizens of 19 countries, in keeping with E.O. 14161, which is meant to protect the U.S. from terrorism and other national security and public safety threats. However, not every national from these countries are restricted from traveling into the United States. Many individuals from these countries remain free to travel in and out of the country, including: U.S. permanent residents/green card holders and immigrant visa holders; dual nationals; diplomats; immediate relatives; adoptees; special immigrants; and refugees and asylees facing persecution in their home countries. Thus, it is important to remember that asylum and refugee protections remain available to those who truly fear for their lives. A special exemption is also provided for athletes, coaches and support staff, and immediate relatives of athletes participating in “major sporting events,” including the Olympics and the World Cup. Thus, generally, only those with no visas issued as of the date of the proclamation are restricted from traveling into the United States until adequate vetting is done. A very small number compared to those who are still able to travel despite the travel ban.

In conclusion, the information provided here is very general and every immigration case is different. If you are unsure of how any of the immigration developments or initiatives impact your case, you should consult an immigration attorney. It is important to do your research to make sure that you work with a trustworthy immigration professional as there are many unscrupulous individuals who prey on immigrants who are not aware of their rights, including “notarios” or those who dabble in immigration law. The field of immigration is very broad and can be complicated. To find a knowledgeable and experienced immigration attorney, go to the attorney search page of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), https://www.ailalawyer.com/.

Thank you again for this opportunity to shed some clarity during this time of fear and confusion. Having practiced in the field of immigration for over 10 years now, I know how important it is to stay informed and to always have a positive mindset no matter what the circumstances. So, spread clarity and positivity not fear and misinformation. Thank you so much for having me. It’s been a pleasure.

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