Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a memorandum (see bottom of this post to read the memorandum in full) to all federal prosecutors today demanding prioritization of immigration related prosecutions. Specifically, he calls for the increased prosecution of 8 U.S.C. 1324 (Bringing in or Harboring Certain Aliens), 8 U.S.C. 1325 (Improper…
Any criminal arrest or conviction will have some negative consequence for a non-citizen. Whether it is prolonged delay at the border while Custom and Border Protection (CBP) agents ask you questions, whether you are denied a bond in immigration court, whether you are denied the right to become a United…
Despite Emma Lazarus’ poignant words inscribed at the Statue of Liberty suggesting a welcoming embrace to asylum seekers, a troubling new implementation of policy is in direct conflict with our nation’s ideological fascination with freedom. Immigration attorneys throughout the country are finding that people seeking asylum at our borders and within…
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”) has been a saving grace for countless people who have no other form of relief from deportation. DACA is available to people who came into the United States without “admission,” when they were children. In its simplest form, it is a declaration by the…
Whether you are applying for a green card, to become a United States Citizen, or for some other immigration benefit, you are bound to be nervous for your immigration interview. Most of that fear comes from the unknown. So, arming yourself with knowledge about the process will greatly decrease that anxiety.…
Criminal defense lawyers don’t typically know anything about immigration law. Immigration law is federal. Most criminal defense attorneys practice only state law in state courts. Even if they do practice in federal criminal courtrooms, it is a completely different area of law from immigration. Asking a criminal lawyer about immigration…
There has been great fear rising within immigrant communities regarding the new policies directed at certain non-citizens. On January 25th, 2107, President Trump issued an executive order titled Executive Order: Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States. This Order provided guidance to federal agencies on how to implement…
What am I eligible for? That is a very common question for many immigrants who call or visit our immigration office for legally advice. “I came into the country illegally,” how do I get a work permit or a green card? The truth is if you are in the United States…
President’s Obama’s January 12, 2017 announcement about Cuban immigration policy changed the landscape for Cuban nationals. Along with all the official changes announced on January 12, 2017 on this subject, there was another document that contains two very important, but often overlooked paragraphs. The United States and Cuba released a…
Last week, President Obama issued the first major change in U.S. immigration policy towards Cubans in over 20 years. On January 12, 2017, President Obama announced that the 1995 immigration policy designed specifically for Cuban nationals, known as “Wet-Foot/Dry-Foot”, would be abolished immediately. That means that Cuban nationals arriving at…