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Mandatory Electronic Filing of Immigration Forms: A Bad Idea Whose Time Has Come

By James Montana

This sponsored column is by Law Office of James Montana PLLC. All questions about it should be directed to James Montana, Esq., Janice Chen, Esq., and Victoria Khaydar, Esq., practicing attorneys at The Law Office of James Montana PLLC, an immigration-focused law firm located in Falls Church, Virginia. The legal information given here is general in nature. If you want legal advice, contact us for an appointment.

Immigration forms are forms. Traditionally, the medium for forms is paper. The U.S. immigration authorities have – laudably – been modernizing their system to accept both paper filings and online filings. This week, in a less laudable move, USCIS announced that they will shortly be accepting only online filings and almost never accept paper filings. This is a serious misstep. In this advertorial, we will discuss the USCIS proposed rule concerning online filing, the advantages and disadvantages thereof, and offer a few thoughts about what may be motivating the agency.

First, what does USCIS say? USCIS says that requiring online filing will make data “easier to receive, store, and accss,” will “enhance fraud detection,” and reduce errors in application filing and adjudication. All of that may be true. USCIS also says that online filing will “accelerate the shift to electronic fee payments.” That isn’t true; USCIS has been exclusively requiring electronic payment even for paper-filed forms for months – we told you about that almost a year ago!

Our view is that the main advantage of the system is probably improvements in putative (and actual) fraud detection. USCIS’s most scalable tool for detecting fraud is its ability to compare applications filed at widely disparate times. If an asylum application based on membership in a banned political party is filed in 2005, and asylum granted in 2012, and the asylee claims never to have belonged to a political part in his application for adjustment of status filed in 2026, that raises important questions for the adjudicator. Detection of the variance in a paper-based system is much harder than in a database-based system. (There is a question in the asylum application about membership in political parties, and there is a question in the green card application about political parties: make the match!)

The disadvantages of electronic filing are also significant.

The first and most significant disadvantage of online filing is the government’s limited ability to build (and maintain) a filing system that works. The State Department’s visa application processing system (the Consular Electronic Information System, or CEAC) goes down for scheduled and unscheduled maintenance quite frequently. USCIS’s current infrastructure, although far better than CEAC, also has its problems – unexplained timeouts, wonky labeling for evidence, and form fields which do not match the actual forms are all part of the experience.

A second disadvantage of online filing is that it expands the gap between the haves and the have-nots. USCIS already charges a supplemental fee – typically, $50 – if you choose to file an application on paper. Applicants who file on paper typically are older, have fewer financial resources, and are less skilled with computer systems. Applicants who cannot presently file on paper are not going to learn how to create an online account with two-factor authentication – instead, they will turn to a lawyer (in the best case) or an unsavory document preparer (in the all-too-common case) to do it for them. That will increase fees for those who are least able to afford them.

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Just Reduced Properties in Arlington: August 19, 2026

By Sponsor

Each week, “Just Reduced” spotlights properties in Arlington County whose prices have been cut over the previous week. The market summary is crafted by Arlington Realty, Inc. Maximize your real estate investment with the team by visiting www.arlingtonrealtyinc.com or calling 703-836-6000 today!

Please note: The properties featured here may be listed with other brokerages– but that doesn’t limit your options. Arlington Realty, Inc. is ready to represent you, arrange showings, analyze value, and negotiate the best possible terms on your behalf. We understand the neighborhoods, pricing trends and market timing — and we use that knowledge to your advantage. 

As of August 17, there are 163 detached homes, 63 townhouses and 257 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 29 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:

Please note that this is solely a selection of Just Reduced properties available in Arlington County. For a complete list of properties within your target budget and specifications, contact Arlington Realty, Inc. 

BizTalk: How an Arlington startup is rethinking parental leave

By AED Business Investment Group
Image from BizTalk: How an Arlington startup is rethinking parental leave
Image from BizTalk: How an Arlington startup is rethinking parental leave
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For many employers, parental leave begins and ends with a policy. But while a policy may outline how much time an employee can take away from work, it often does not address the operational and human challenges that surround leave itself.

That gap is what Arlington-based startup Resilient Returns was created to solve.

Founded by Licensed Professional Counselor and working parent MJ Yost, Resilient Returns helps employers manage the full parental leave lifecycle, from planning and communication before leave to employee support and reintegration after return. The company’s leave-management platform combines structured processes for employers with resources designed to help employees navigate one of life’s most significant transitions.

Yost’s perspective comes from both her professional and personal experience. As a therapist, she spent years supporting individuals through family building, pregnancy, postpartum, loss and the transition back to work. As a working parent herself, she also understood the practical challenges of balancing a growing family with a career. Those experiences helped her identify a gap in how employers prepare for the realities of parental leave.

“We often hear from organizations that they have a great parental leave policy on paper and a plan for the baby shower, but no real system for transitioning an employee’s work before leave or supporting their return afterward,” says Yost.

The challenge is increasingly relevant for employers of all sizes. While organizations invest significant time and resources in recruiting and developing talent, many lack consistent processes for helping employees navigate major life events while remaining engaged and connected to their careers.

For small and midsize businesses in particular, getting parental leave wrong can be costly. Losing an experienced employee can create recruiting and training expenses, disrupt team operations and result in the loss of valuable institutional knowledge. For high-growth companies, the challenge can be even greater. Rapidly expanding organizations often rely on specialized talent, move quickly to meet customer demands and operate with limited redundancy. When a key employee takes leave without a structured transition plan, the effects can ripple across projects, client relationships and team performance.

Resilient Returns approaches parental leave as a business process rather than simply an HR policy. Employers can use the platform to create pre-leave coverage and communication plans, prepare managers for an employee’s transition, conduct guided return-to-work check-ins and track key milestones throughout the leave journey.

At the same time, employees receive resources designed to help them navigate the personal and professional transition into leave and back to work. That dual focus, supporting both the employer and the employee, is central to the company’s approach.

The need for that support can become especially apparent when circumstances do not go according to plan. While many employers have established processes for a typical parental leave, fewer have a clear approach for navigating unexpected challenges or complications. The way an organization responds during those moments can have a lasting impact on employee trust, engagement and retention.

For Yost, building those processes is about more than managing a period of time away from work. It is about helping employers navigate the operational realities of leave while giving employees a clearer path through the transition and back to work.

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Ask Eli: Community support after condo fire, a personal connection

By Eli Tucker

This regularly scheduled column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. If you would like to work with Eli and his team in Northern Virginia and the greater D.C. Metro area, you can reach him directly at [email protected].

On Friday, I learned that the house fire at the Hyde Park condominium in Ballston was the home of my friend, Greg, his wife Caroline, and their beloved dog, Maisie. I’m sure you saw it in Wednesday’s ARLnow news cycle.

Greg and Caroline were not home when the fire occurred, but they tragically lost their dog Maisie, a loss that overshadows the loss of their personal belongings.

A Bit About Maisie

Maisie lived in the Ballston neighborhood since she was born almost six years ago. She loved meeting old friends and new, between her walks at home and her frequent training walks in Old Town, she had more than either of her parents did. She loved every dog and cat and person she ever met, but she never got over her mistrust of squirrels.  She will be missed as much as she was loved.

Support Lost Dog Rescue in Honor of Maisie

Please consider donating to Arlington’s Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation in Maisie’s memory.

Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and is an exemplary nonprofit that helps homeless pets find their way to loving homes through rescue and adoption.

There is nothing Greg and Caroline would appreciate more than knowing that Maisie’s memory is helping support the well-being of other dogs and cats.

Leave a Kind Word for Greg and Caroline

If you would like to share well wishes with Greg and Caroline, please leave a comment, and I’ll make sure it gets back to them.

Experience a new standard of living at The Aidan

By Sponsor
Image from Luxury living has arrived in Old Town Alexandria
Image from Luxury living has arrived in Old Town Alexandria
Image from Luxury living has arrived in Old Town Alexandria
Image from Luxury living has arrived in Old Town Alexandria
Image from Luxury living has arrived in Old Town Alexandria
Image from Luxury living has arrived in Old Town Alexandria
Image from Luxury living has arrived in Old Town Alexandria
Image from Experience a new standard of living at The Aidan.
Image from Experience a new standard of living at The Aidan.
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Thoughtfully designed residences, resort-style amenities, and an unbeatable Old Town Alexandria location create a lifestyle centered around convenience, connection, and comfort.

Whether you’re enjoying rooftop sunsets, working remotely from resident-only spaces, or exploring the neighborhood’s vibrant dining and waterfront scene, The Aidan is designed for the way you live today.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4oX3FyV

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Your next customer is reading this right now, so here’s how to reach them

By Jordan Ciminelli
Image from Your next customer is reading this right now, so here's how to reach them

Every day, Arlingtonians open ARLnow to catch what’s happening in their neighborhood. The new restaurant. The road closure. The house that just hit the market. One question: are they finding your business, too?

They could be.

ARLnow is the No. 1 source of local news for Arlington residents, ahead of the Washington Post and the county’s own website, and one of the most-read local news sites in Virginia. That’s 650,000 visitors a month and 17 million pageviews a year, all right here in your backyard.

And here’s the best part: people actually like the ads. In a reader survey, 89% said they enjoy them, and 28% bought something because of one.

See this sponsored post you’re reading right now? It could be yours. Display ads, email blasts— sponsored posts, whatever fits your goal, we’ll help you find what works.

Ready to be what your neighbors see next?

Explore every option at lnn.co/advertise, email [email protected], or call 703-348-0583.

Learn more

Listing of the Day: 2609 N Nottingham Street

By ARLnow.com
Brick house with an Open House banner showing agent Rob Ferguson and price $1,100,000; event date August 16, 2–4 pm.
Empty living room with white walls and warm hardwood floors, featuring a front door with small window panes, a large window with blinds, and a white brick fireplace with mantel.
Modern kitchen with mint-green cabinets, stainless steel stove and microwave, and a patterned backsplash under recessed lighting.
Empty bright living room with white walls, hardwood floor, and a large window with blinds; doorway and hallway to the left.
Wooden deck with white railing overlooking a green backyard and trees, attached to a blue house with an illuminated exterior light fixture on the right.
Backyard of a brick house with a blue-addition and white deck, set on a green lawn with trees nearby.
Front view of a brick ranch-style house with white trim, small porch steps, and a for-sale sign in the yard.
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Address: 2609 N Nottingham Street
Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Type: 3 BR, 2 BA single-family detached (not a rental)
Open House: August 16, Sunday 2-4 pm
Listed: $1,100,000

Noteworthy: Amazing Location and Price!

Fantastic opportunity in a sought-after North Arlington location! Situated on a quiet street on a beautiful, flat 7,180-square-foot lot, this classic brick rambler offers 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, a spacious kitchen addition, finished lower level, off-street driveway parking, and a fantastic fenced backyard—all within the highly desirable Nottingham Elementary, Williamsburg Middle, and Yorktown High School pyramid.

A welcoming brick walkway leads to the light-filled main level featuring hardwood floors and updated windows. The spacious living room offers recessed lighting and a cozy wood-burning fireplace with brick surround, while the adjoining dining room features a brushed nickel chandelier. The rear addition features the renovated kitchen, creating a spacious and functional gathering area with direct access to the deck and backyard. Highlights include quartz countertops, 42-inch paneled cabinetry, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, recessed lighting, ceramic tile flooring, two pantries, and a built-in table with bench seating.

The main level also includes three bedrooms and an upgraded full bath with tub. The finished lower level provides additional living space with recessed lighting, large windows, built-in shelving, and a second full bath with shower. The laundry room offers a washer and dryer, utility sink, storage, and walkout access to the backyard, plus a large unfinished storage area.

Enjoy the rear deck overlooking the flat, fenced backyard with plenty of room for entertaining, gardening, or play. Conveniently located near schools, parks, shopping, Metro, and commuter routes—a fantastic combination of location, lot, schools, and living space!

Listed by:
Rob Ferguson – RE/MAX Allegiance
[email protected]
(703) 926-6139

Just Reduced Properties in Arlington: August 12, 2026

By Sponsor

Each week, “Just Reduced” spotlights properties in Arlington County whose prices have been cut over the previous week. The market summary is crafted by Arlington Realty, Inc. Maximize your real estate investment with the team by visiting www.arlingtonrealtyinc.com or calling 703-836-6000 today!

Please note: The properties featured here may be listed with other brokerages– but that doesn’t limit your options. Arlington Realty, Inc. is ready to represent you, arrange showings, analyze value, and negotiate the best possible terms on your behalf. We understand the neighborhoods, pricing trends and market timing — and we use that knowledge to your advantage. 

As of August 10, there are 169 detached homes, 65 townhouses and 253 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 43 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:

Please note that this is solely a selection of Just Reduced properties available in Arlington County. For a complete list of properties within your target budget and specifications, contact Arlington Realty, Inc. 

A blue-ribbon history: The Arlington County Fair turns 50!

By Sponsor

This regularly scheduled sponsored column is written by Carolanne Korolowicz, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. If you would like to work with Carolanne in Northern Virginia and the greater D.C. Metro area, you can reach her directly at [email protected].

2026 Arlington County Fair Logo
2026 Arlington County Fair Logo

The Arlington County Fair has always been the unofficial ode to summer. Funnel cakes and flashing lights act as the bridge between the memories of summer and the anticipation of the school year ahead. From early-morning trips with my family as a child to staying until curfew as a teen, the “urban fair” has been a tradition for myself and most every Arlingtonian I know.

This year marks the fair’s golden jubilee. For five decades, the fair has been one of the East Coast’s largest free events. The mission of the fair has always been to bring premier entertainment for everyone and to highlight the diverse makeup of the county. Community involvement has always been the backbone of pulling off this one-of-a-kind fair.

Photo Courtesy of The Arlington Historical Society
Photo Courtesy of The Arlington Historical Society

In 1976, the local garden program wanted to show off the fruits of their labor at a “Harvest Day”. As the event planning started, the idea to expand to include more community members led to the county fair concept. The inaugural fair was immediately praised by Arlington residents and local press. An old-school, rural-style event situated amongst an urban area was intriguing. The Washington Post previewed the fair stating, “Where can an exceptional chrysanthemum raised on the tenth-floor balcony of the Crystal House apartment complex in Arlington receive its just due? Until this week, nowhere. However, if entered before 9 a.m. Friday it could be a blue-ribbon winner in the First Annual Arlington County Fair.”

On Friday, August 28, 1976, the ceremonial ribbon was cut and Arlingtonians were given the opportunity to showcase their crafts, hobbies and talents. Ranging from eggplants to bundt cakes, many of the competitive exhibits were similar to the ones residents still enter today. The event’s pioneers also brought in livestock from the Loudoun County 4-H Club, keeping with the traditional elements of a fair. By the early 1980s, the exhibit and vendor applications skyrocketed. Live entertainment, including a barbershop quartet, Hungarian folk musicians, and even a ventriloquist, was added to the docket. Eventually, livestock appearances started to fade, but the midway rides we know today were added.

In recent years, the volunteer-driven Arlington County Fair Board has continued to include entertainment, vendors and spaces for all residents (and all 150,000 visitors in attendance). Additions have included cuisine outside of the traditional candied apple and hot dog, featuring local businesses that reflect the area’s diverse food scene. A beer garden, featuring Solace Brewing Company’s libations, now makes for a great space to sit down and appreciate the performances. And as a toddler mom, I personally appreciate the recently established sensory-friendly hours during the opening hours on Saturday & Sunday.

The week leading up to it, Thomas Jefferson Community Center starts its transformation from soccer fields to fairground. Driving down 2nd St. South acts as a sneak peek at the fun ahead. Though the fair continues to expand outwards, there is still a comfort and nostalgia, year after year, walking the same route around the fair. Whether you beeline for the Zipper, or skip over to the ring toss, or make sure to sample the food trucks first — you know exactly where to find it.

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Listing of the Day: 3512 N Pocomoke Street

By ARLnow.com
Open-concept dining room with blue walls, white wainscoting and a dark round table set with cream chairs; real estate ad layout on the right shows agent photo and price info.
Open living room with a stone fireplace, gray sofa, white chairs, and a large area rug in a bright, airy space.
Bright white kitchen with marble countertops, island, stainless steel stove, and hardwood floors; open to living area behind. - (informative)
Dining room with navy walls and white wainscoting, featuring a dark rectangular table and six white upholstered chairs.
Backyard at dusk with a rectangular, blue-lit pool, a stone retaining wall with planters, and a beige house with lit windows.
Main level floor plan of a house showing rooms (foyer, dining, living, library, family room), kitchen, two‑car garage, mud room, and outdoor features (front porch, motor court, lawn, pool). Address at top: 3512 N Pocomoke Street, Arlington, VA.
Front view of a beige two-story family home with a two-car garage, stone accents, and a covered front porch under a blue sky.
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Address: 3512 N Pocomoke Street
Neighborhood: Minor Hill
Type: 5 BR, 5 (+1 half) BA single-family detached – 6430 sq. ft.
Listed: $2,399,000

Noteworthy: Luxury cul-de-sac home with heated pool in sought-after Minor Hill

Welcome to this exceptional custom home tucked away on a quiet cul-de-sac in sought-after Minor Hill. Offering over 6,400 finished square feet, 5 bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms, and a private 0.29-acre lot with a heated pool, this beautifully appointed residence combines timeless design with modern luxury in the Yorktown/Williamsburg/Discovery school pyramid.

A welcoming front porch overlooks neighborhood green space, while inside, a dramatic two-story foyer with a Currey & Company chandelier sets the tone. Rich wood floors, detailed millwork, and oversized windows enhance the main level, which features formal living and dining rooms, a private office with French doors, and a spacious family room anchored by a floor-to-ceiling stacked stone fireplace.

The chef’s kitchen is designed for entertaining with an oversized quartz island, Sub-Zero refrigerator, Wolf double ovens and six-burner cooktop, two dishwashers, farmhouse sink, walk-in pantry with a second refrigerator, butler’s pantry, and secondary staircase.

Upstairs, the luxurious primary suite offers a sitting area, dual walk-in closets, and a spa-inspired bath. Three additional bedrooms each include walk-in closets, with ensuite baths providing comfort and privacy.

The finished lower level features a large recreation room, fitness room, fifth bedroom, full bath, and an unfinished bonus space ready for future expansion.

Outside, enjoy a heated pool with automatic cover, expansive stone patio, professionally designed retaining wall with planter beds, low-maintenance turf, and an upper terrace. Additional highlights include a two-car garage with dual EV charging stations and an unbeatable location near shopping, parks, Metro, and major commuter routes.

Listed by:
Sarah Picot – Corcoran McEnearney
[email protected]

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