This is a scary and surprising fact pattern that all to many green card holders find themselves in after a short or long trip outside of the country. No matter how long you have had your green card and how many times you have traveled outside the country in the…
Florida Immigration Lawyer Blog
I am a Lawful Permanent Resident with a Criminal Record, what are my Immigration Options?
If you have a green card and have been arrested in the past, you may have many questions about your immigration options. If I renew my green card will they find out about my record and deport me? If I file an N-400 and try to obtain my citizenship, am…
If They Decriminalizes Possession of Marijuana, Can I Still Get Deported if I get Caught?
Recently, multiple states have not only legalized the use of marijuana (aka cannabis, weed, pot, etc.) for medical use, but they have decriminalized possession of marijuana for recreational use. Following that trend in states that have not yet taken this action (Florida being one of them) local governments have made…
Fourth Edition of the AILA GA-AL & Central Florida Litigation Newsletter (District Court Decisions)
The fourth edition of the newsletter summarizing important immigration- related cases decided by 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and District Court decisions from Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. The summarized cases are for February and March 2016. There are not as many summaries in this issue because there were fewer decisions.…
Fourth Edition of the AILA GA-AL & Central Florida Litigation Newsletter (Circuit Court Decisions)
The fourth edition of the newsletter summarizing important immigration- related cases decided by 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and District Court decisions from Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. The summarized cases are for February and March 2016. There are not as many summaries in this issue because there were fewer decisions.…
Proposed Immigration Laws That Thankfully Died in the Florida Legislature
Even though I am an Orlando immigration attorney, I practice immigration law all over the United States. I like to think of myself as an attorney on the forefront of both immigration and criminal law, and especially where to two cross over. Because of that, I try to stay on…
I Have an Order of Removal or Deportation, What Do I Do Now?
This is a question that many immigrants find themselves asking at some point in their journey to U.S. citizenship. I applied for a green card and they told me I have an order of removal, or I was arrested and immigration detained me and said I have an order of…
Why a Motion to Vacate a Plea and Conviction in a Criminal Case may be an Immigrant’s only Defense to Deportation.
Just like American citizens, sometimes immigrants find themselves on the wrong side of law. Whether its a DUI or possession of a small amount of marijuana, even the most minor criminal offense can have devastatingly negative immigration consequences for non-citizens. Can a lawful permanent resident be deported for a DUI?…
Why Donald Trump may be the only presidential candidate who can bring us comprehensive immigration reform.
That’s right, you read that correctly, Republican presidential candidate, Donald J Trump may be the only presidential candidate with a strategy, a plan and a chance to pass comprehensive immigration reform. You all probably think I am crazy, or that when I say immigration reform, I mean giant electrified fences…
Why the Crime of Battery in Florida is Likely no Longer a Crime of Violence under Immigration Law.
The Board of Immigration appeals recently issued a published decision that may answer once and for all with a resounding NO, the question: “is Battery in Florida a Crime of Violence?” That’s right, the Florida crime of Battery, Florida Statute § 784.03, which requires that someone actually and intentionally touch…