Immigration
Why You Should Not Represent Yourself in Court
Representing yourself in a court of law may seem like a great idea at the outset. You may step into the process with confidence, believing you can best represent yourself and your interests before the court and save money on attorney fees at the same time. However, any attempt to navigate the legal corridors of…
Read MoreWhat is Moral Turpitude?
Through much of our nation’s history, the U.S. government has leveraged the criminal justice system to deport immigrants already in the country and prevent other immigrants from entering. Immigrants have traditionally been held to high moral standard through laws that cover certain types of crimes involving “moral turpitude.” This term first appeared in the 1891…
Read MoreHow Long Does it Take to Get a Green Card?
Many immigrants are concerned about how tighter enforcement of the laws may affect their applications for US citizenship through the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). According to USCIS, there are several ways to apply for a “green card,” more formally called a Permanent Resident Card. Generally, applicants need a sponsor, and they must fill…
Read MoreWhat Can I Do If My Family Member Is Being Held in Detention?
It’s natural to be scared if a family member or a friend is being held in detention by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. If you are arrested, and the local law enforcement agency believes you are undocumented, it can contact ICE. ICE can request a hold for 48 hours – but after that,…
Read MoreNaturalization through U.S. Military Service
If you’re an immigrant who’s served in the U.S. armed forces, your service may make you eligible for expedited naturalization via your military service. We’re proud to give you information and guidance on the process for you and your family. In 2002, President George W. Bush signed an executive order speeding up naturalization through military…
Read MoreHow Does Family Immigration Work In the US?
US citizens have the right to file a petition for a visa on behalf of their immediate relatives. The sponsor, the person who files the petition, must be a US citizen. There are two categories of family immigration visas, according to the US Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs. The first type of…
Read MoreMeet Jin Park, the First DACA Recipient Rhodes Scholar in History
As the holidays get into full swing, we’re glad to bring you a blog that’s both timely and uplifting. Harvard University senior Jin Kyu Park recently announced he’s part of the 2019 Rhodes Scholarship winners – a significant achievement. However, what makes Park’s achievement go from significant to historic is that he’s the first DACA…
Read MoreWhat is Asylum, and Who Can Claim It?
Every year, according to the American Immigration Council, thousands of people who aren’t US citizens apply for asylum in the United States. Asylum is a form of protection from prosecution. The process to obtain asylum is very complicated, and normally requires the assistance of experienced immigration lawyers. If someone is granted asylum, he or she…
Read MoreDiversity Visa 2020, aka “Green Card Lottery,” Now Open
Running from noon October 3 to noon November 6, 2018, the Diversity Visa Program 2020 is currently open to applicants. Proponents of the program are urging interested individuals to apply as soon as possible, as it appears this could be the last of the program for some time. President Trump and Congress have talked of…
Read MoreHow Long Can Undocumented Immigrant Families Expect to Live in Detention Centers?
CNN reported on September 6, 1018 that the Trump administration has enacted a policy that undocumented immigrant children stay in detention “far longer than currently allowed.” The statement is a follow-up to the administration’s “zero tolerance” policy enacted in the spring of 2018. Part and parcel of the zero tolerance prosecution policy is to separate…
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